Mickey sat in his room, deep in thought. He was pretty sure he'd gotten about fifty strange looks since returning home, but he cared even less than usual. All he could think about was that beautiful girl in the castle. Who was she? Why was she there… and why couldn't she talk to him? He wondered if she might be in trouble. But then, she didn't seem upset.

"Gosh, Pluto… I wonder if she's okay."

The dog cocked his head, giving Mickey a quizzical look. The mouse couldn't help chuckling as he sat back in his chair and rubbed his head. He probably sounded like a lunatic; after all, he was yapping on as if he'd known her all his life and all he'd really done was stare at her all afternoon.

"Heh, I know it sounds crazy… but I feel kinda crazy. It's almost like I always knew her, but at the same time I wanna know everything about her and I can't stop thinkin' about her…"

Mickey sighed again and rested his chin in his palm.

"Sorry, boy… don't know what's come over me."

Pluto frowned, then smiled slightly and walked up to Mickey, nudging his hand. The mouse grinned and scratched his ears, making his tail wag wildly. Just then, a knock on the door made them both jump. Mickey quickly cleared his throat.

"Come in," he called. The door slowly opened and he quickly stood when he saw who it was.

"Your Majesty," he said, executing a small bow. Queen Lillian smiled, although her face remained lined with sadness.

"Oh, none of that," she said. "I hear that enough these days."

Mickey straightened and grinned at her.

"Sorry, Mom… kind a' hard not to when your etiquette coach was more like a drill sergeant."

His mother giggled, a rare sound lately.

"I think he was," she said as she sat in another seat. Seeing her tired sigh, Mickey walked over and touched her hand.

"You all right?" he asked gently. Lillian raised her head and gave him a reassuring nod.

"Yes… I'm fine."

She looked at Mickey for a moment and smiled.

"Perhaps I was wrong about those walks you take… you do seem quite invigorated."

Pluto snorted, earning a sharp poke from his master's foot.

"Yeah, well…" Mickey said awkwardly, hoping to heaven that he wasn't blushing. "It, er, helps me think."

His mother smiled again and shook her head.

"Just like your father… always keeping the mind busy."

…

Minnie slowly opened her eyes as a soft warmth tickled her face. The moment she saw the morning sunlight filtering through the window, she remembered that the handsome stranger was returning today. Eagerly, she kicked off the bedcovers, only to have the sheets tangle around her legs and nearly trip her. As she worked at untangling her legs, a knock suddenly came at her door.

"Your Highness?" Daisy called. "Excuse me, but a letter just arrived for you."

Minnie gasped; it had to be from her father. She hadn't heard from him for a while and she was getting worried. Maybe he was getting better! She quickly grabbed her bed robe and pulled it on as she hurried to the door. As soon as Daisy stepped in, the princess eagerly snatched the letter and opened it, her eyes bright with excitement.

However, Daisy's amusement turned to worry as her friend's face slowly fell, the brightness fading from her eyes. Slowly, she sat on her bed, still holding the letter.

"Your highness?" Daisy asked softly. When no answer came she stepped forward and lightly placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Minnie? What's wrong?"

The princess looked up, tears rimming her eyes.

"It's from the queen," she said softly. "She says… Father has gotten worse."

Daisy felt her own eyes well as Minnie looked down, sniffling quietly.

"Oh, Minnie…"

She sat down and wrapped her arms around her friend.

"I'm sorry."

Minnie cried softly, the ever-present fear that she may never see her father again suddenly very real.

"Why won't they let me come home?" she whispered. "Doesn't he want me there?"

Daisy immediately shook her head. She knew how close father and daughter were and had no doubt Minnie's current situation was largely due to her stepmother. In truth, she wasn't even sure the king was aware of the reality of it.

"No, he does, I know it. If it was bad enough, he'd ask you to come… I'm sure he'll be all right."

Minnie slowly looked up and gave Daisy a small smile. Deep down, she knew that was true, but it didn't diminish her hurt.

"Thank you, Daisy."

As Daisy headed to the wardrobe, Minnie glanced back down at the letter, or rather the small part that coldly informed her of her father's condition. The rest was mainly a list of all the flaws that made her such a disappointment. Roughly wiping away some tears, she crumpled the paper in her fist.

I just don't understand… what did I ever do wrong?

Later, Daisy watched her with worry as she sat quietly by the window, gazing blankly ahead.

"Your highness, do you want to talk?" she asked, hoping to lighten her friend's mood.

Minnie blinked as she was pulled from her sad thoughts, then smiled gratefully.

"Thank you, Daisy, but… can I just be alone for a while?"

Daisy looked concerned, but nodded.

"Just call if you need anything," she said gently. Minnie nodded in thanks, then turned back to the window. She stared out at the trees, wondering if this was what the rest of her life would be like. Being punished without knowing why, never seeing her home or her family again.

Suddenly, a movement near the trees caught her eyes. She straightened up eagerly, and her face broke into a smile when the mouse from yesterday emerged, followed as usual by his dog. He looked up at the window and smiled back, waving at her. She shyly waved back, but as he came closer, his smile faded to a worried frown. Minnie realized that there were still tears on her cheeks and quickly wiped them away, smiling to show she was all right.

The stranger smiled slightly, then frowned at the ground as if he were thinking. His face suddenly lit up and he motioned to the dog, who came trotting up. The stranger looked up at Minnie and grinned, then took a red ball out of his pocket. He tossed it into the air, and the dog leaped up, catching it on his nose. He balanced it for a few moments, then tossed it up. He bounced it off his back foot and proceeded to do a variety of tricks. Minnie smiled widely and silently clapped.

Suddenly, the dog lost his balance and tumbled off to the side, bumping into his master and sending both tumbling to the ground. Minnie pressed her hand to her mouth to stifle her giggles as the stranger scrambled to his feet, his face as red as the rubber ball.

…

Even if it hadn't quite gone according to plan, Mickey could see that his attempt to cheer the girl up had been successful. He grinned sheepishly and shrugged before scratching Pluto's ears.

"Good job, boy," he said softly, making his tail wag.

Sighing, Mickey gazed up at the window. His heart beat faster at the beautiful smile now on the girl's face, and he found himself wishing again that he could just talk to her somehow, find out what was bothering her and if he could help.

"And just what do you think you're doing?"

Mickey whirled around to find a tall figure in a hooded cloak standing there watching him. The hood obscured the newcomer's face, but the glare was unmistakable. Pluto leaped protectively in front of him, growling.

"Easy, boy…" he said. "Well, ma'am, I… I was just…"

The newcomer looked up at the window, then snorted and crossed her arms.

"Never thought I'd come 'cross a peeping tom in these parts."

Mickey crossed his own arms and frowned up at the figure, trying to look assertive despite his much shorter stature.

"And just who are you?" he said sternly. The stranger cocked her head, then pushed back her hood.

"Clarabelle Cow," she said. "Professional conjurer and town gossip. You?"

Mickey drew himself up and bowed slightly.

"Michael Walter Mouse," he said, but was quickly interrupted.

"The prince of Anaheim? Well, lands sakes… then don't ya know it ain't proper to stare at a lady? Why don't ya go introduce yourself like a gentleman?"

Mickey felt his face heat, but kept himself composed. He sighed and looked back at the window.

"Well, that's the problem. I can't let anyone know I'm here, n' she can't come out. If I wanted t' talk to her, I'd have to fly up."

Clarabelle scowled thoughtfully and started tapping her foot. Then she suddenly snapped her fingers.

"Y' know, I think I might have just the thing!"