There's some UsUk in this chapter.

Tino awoke in comfort, but instantly knew something was missing. He shot up out of the bed and was prepared to raise an alarm when something caught his eye.

A flower, a lily of the valley to be exact, lay delicately on his pillow where the King should be. Tied to it in dark blue ribbon was a small note.

Tino gently untied the ribbon and read the note.

Dear Tino,

I'm am terribly sorry for having to leave you in the mourning. Unfortunately, being a King means I must get up early in the mourning to perform my duties. I enjoyed our night last night and hope that it was not the last.

His majesty,

King Berwald

P.S. I'm being careful with my shoulder. Don't worry.

Tino smiled fondly and tucked the note away. He lifted the flower and smelled it, the heavenly aroma floated around him reminding him of the King.

He gently placed the flower on the pillow and stretched. He got up and dressed in some casual wear and decided to look for his King.

He went to the library first, then to the main hall, finally he stopped in the kitchen, and barely dodged a bowl flying at his face.

"Non! This is not how you make soup, you idiot!" Came an enraged voice.

Tino gazed in surprise as the poor cook scurried away from the blond King. Francis paced around the kitchen tasting things, throwing them over his shoulder, then scolding the one who made it.

Tino gave a slight cough to announce his presence.

Francis whirled around and gave a charming smile, "Ah, Sir Tino, it is wonderful to see you!"

The knight laughed a little, "Having trouble?"

The King sighed and shook his head in frustration, "You have no idea! These idiots have no idea what they are doing," he marched up to a man making a fluffy looking pie and took it. "Do you see this?" He proffered the pie to Tino, who shrank back a little but nodded, "This is what I have to deal with," he threw it behind him and suddenly everything went quiet.

There was the tiniest gasp in the utter silence the kitchen had suddenly been thrown into.

Both Tino and Francis turned and the King turned as white as the pie had been.

Standing in the doorway, was his majesty King Berwald, with the remnants of the pie all over his face. The fluffy cream entirely covered the man's face to a point where you could no longer see his features.

Berwald seemed just as shocked as everyone in the room, for he didn't move an inch.

The King puffed out and blew some of the pie out of his mouth. In one hand was the pie tin that had fallen from his face, and with his free hand, he pulled off his glasses and wiped them on his shirt. Now that his vision was free he walked over to King Francis.

The shorter King shrank back and squeaked in surprise when Berwald offered him the tin.

"It's good," was all the large man said. He turned to the cook, "May I have a towel," he asked.

Silently the cook offered his towel and Berwald took it with a thank you.

He wiped off the pie from his face and now that it was almost clear, Tino felt he couldn't hold himself any longer.

The short man burst out laughing, bent over clutching his ribs in pain.

A deep baritone of a laugh followed and everyone started in surprise, as the King laughed.

Even Tino seemed surprised, but it still was the most beautiful sound he had ever heard.

Berwald went up to King Francis and clapped his shoulder, "Please continue the good work," he said with a small chuckle and left without another word.

Everything was silent as all present attempted to process what had just happened.

The silence was broken by another soft laugh, "You know, despite what I've heard and what I feel," Francis turned to Tino, "I rather like your King."

/ ? /

Tino was walking with his eyes on the floor, clearly distracted by something.

Alfred, who had been walking by, clearly saw Tino's distraction in the fact that the younger knight almost walked into a wall.

Alfred quickly grabbed the knight and pulled him back with a laugh.

Tino glanced about surprised, and up at Alfred, "Oh! Thanks Alfred."

The captain of the guard smiled, "Something eating at ya?"

Tino paused, "Well... have you ever been in... love," he asked hesitantly wondering if this was the right person to ask.

Alfred laughed, "Of course! I still am," he said proudly.

Tino started in surprise, "Really?! Who?!"

"His name's Arthur and we've known each other since we were kids. He's a very powerful wizard," his chest puffed out in pride.

Tino started again, "Really?! How did you guys meet?" Somehow they had started moving again and had ended up in the library. Both sat together, one paying rapt attention to the other.

"Well, it was about twelve years ago that I met Arthur, when I was eight years old," Alfred began, "At the time, my parents and Berwald's had been good friends, so when they died, Berwald's father King Feliks took me in and raised me as his own. Me and Berwald got along great, despite the curse and all. Matthaius had been with us for about a year or so and we were all getting along great. Matt and I were so talkative and Berwald was so quiet, I'm sure we must've talked his ear off more than once," He said fondly. "We three had become good friends, fast. Despite our friendship, we still felt the fear that went with the curse. We got over it though and learned to hide it. Though, I suppose that didn't matter since he could feel it," Alfred trailed off sadly.

Suddenly he brightened, "Anyway, King Feliks loved to hunt, so every two weeks or so, during the spring and summer, we would go hunting for dear and rabbits and stuff. It was lots of fun! He brought us along every time, teaching us how to shoot and trap and stuff," Alfred's eyes had gained a far away look and Tino felt as though he were encroaching on something deeply personal. Alfred continued, however, "Those were some of the best times, just us three in the forrest," he laughed, "We used to come home so dirty and scraped up," he shook his head.

"The time I met Arthur. It was just beginning to be summer, I remember the day perfectly. We all got up early and prepared for the hunt. Matthaius and I were going to have a competition to see who could catch the biggest buck..."

"No way!" Alfred cried, shoving the breakfast in his mouth, "Everybody knows I'm a better shot!"

Matthaius shook his head and stuffed a piece of bread in his mouth, "Mfff grrrrffd ahhhhr," he said his mouth gorging.

Alfred rolled his eyes, "No one can understand you Matt."

Matt swallowed, "I said, I'm the best and totally better than you," he turned to Berwald, who was eating quietly. "Who's better me or Alfie?"

Berwald stared at them both and swallowed. He pushed his plate away finished and stood, "I am," he said with a small smile and hurried from the room.

Both boys stared after him, then exploded into shouts of denial and claiming they were the best.

Alfred laughed, "Matthaius and I were always competing for everything," he leaned in close, "Don't tell anyone I told you this but," Tino and he leaned even closer, "Berwald's always the one who won." They both laughed and Alfred continued...

"Be careful boys, don't get lost now, " King Felix said to the three of them.

"We won't," they answered.

"Good, now, why don't you go and check the traps by the stream," the King said.

The three boys scrambled away excitedly and raced to the stream.

Berwald, having the height advantage won and checked the traps. He shrugged to the other two when he saw they were empty.

Suddenly Matt's mouth fell open and he nudged the other two and pointed off into the distance.

Just down the river was the largest stag they had ever seen. Its horns seemed to stretch to the sky, like an upturned tree's roots.

The stag gazed at them for a moment, then turned and walked calmly away.

The three boys stood transfixed to the spot. Alfred was the first to recover, and remembering their competition, he grabbed his bow and sprinted after the deer. He ignored the call from his friends and continued on through the woods.

Finally he spotted the stag, it had stopped in front of a small cottage. Alfred frowned and raised his bow. He squinted in concentration and was about to shoot when something collided with him.

He landed on his side with a rush of air and quickly jumped back onto his feet, sword at the ready. He stopped when he realized it was a small fawn that had rammed him. He was about to charge it when it suddenly began to change.

Alfred dropped his sword in surprise when he saw the small fawn change and transform into a small boy.

The boy had straw blond hair and huge eyebrows, his face was set into a scowl as he stared at Alfred.

"What the bloody hell did you think you were doing?!" The little magic boy squeaked.

"I-I Uh, What?" Was all Alfred could manage in his shock.

"You were going to shoot my master," the blond boy said pointing at the man that was now standing in the exact same spot as the stag was.

Alfred finally recovered from his shock, "Whoa! How did you do that?!"

The boy scowled more, "We're sorcerers, duh."

Alfred smiled, "That was so cool!" He cried excitedly.

The boy blushed and looked away. He looked back in surprise when he saw a hand thrust into his face.

"Hi! My name is Alfred, what's yours?" Alfred asked.

"Arthur," the boy said and hesitantly took the hand.

The two boys heard Alfred's name being called in the distance.

"Aw man, I gotta go!" he said and turned away, just before he left he turned back, "Let's be friends, okay?" Alfred smiled blindingly.

Arthur blushed, "'Kay."

"That was the first time we met," Alfred continued, "After that, I kept visiting him. As we got older we got closer and closer until one day I visited him and he looked really nervous. Now, I'd known I had feelings for him for a while, but I was looking for the right time to tell him." Alfred laughed, "I still remember. He had given me tea and then he just stood there fidgeting. So I asked him what was wrong, and do you know what he did?"

Tino shook his head and waited for the answer.

"He screamed, 'I LOVE YOU,' at the top of his lungs, then he tried to back track and deny it," Alfred laughed, "So I just kissed him to shut him up and we've been together ever since," he said with a fond and happy sigh.

Tino sat back, "Wow, That's so great," he said. "I wish I could tell Berwald how I feel." He shut his mouth with a snap and looked up at Alfred when he realized what he had just said.

Alfred just laughed good-naturedly, "Don't worry your secret is safe with me."

Tino smiled, "Thanks."

"Totally, now, do you want my advice?" Tino nodded, "You have to tell Berwald how you feel or you'll never know how he really feels. Berwald's a closed book, you have to dig deep for his feelings," Alfred sighed, "But, I can tell he cares a lot about you. A lot about you," he said.

"Yeah, but when...?" Tino said.

Alfred paused for a moment before he snapped his fingers, "Hey! Tell him at the ball!"

Tino balked, "What?! In front of all those people!"

Alfred waved a hand, "Nah, you should dance and when your in the moment, BAM, tell him how you feel. Quietly though, so just he can hear."

Tino chewed his lip, "I don't know..."

But Alfred wasn't listening, "So it's decided then, you'll tell Ber how you feel at the ball in two days!"

Tino sank into the chair, only two days. How was he ever going to prepare himself for that?

Next chapter: the ball!