Mickey sat beside Minnie with a hand on her shoulder as she sniffled back the last of her tears.

"Are ya all right?" he asked in a gentle tone, frowning with concern. She took a deep breath and gave him a shaky smile.

"Yes… I-I'm better now. I'm sorry."

Mickey reached over and took her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze.

"Ya don't have to be sorry," he said. "You didn't do anythin' wrong."

Almost unaware that he was doing it, he reached out and brushed back a lock of her hair. As his hand lingered near her cheek, Minnie suddenly reached up and placed her own hand over it. Mickey was startled for a moment, but then he saw her eyes. They were shining brighter than he'd ever seen them.

"Thank you," she whispered. "You're so kind."

Mickey felt a slight blush heat his face and gulped, but he couldn't help smiling bashfully.

"Uh, g-gosh… well, I… I, uh…"

He trailed off as he gazed at the princess's smiling face.

Gosh, is she beautiful…

"… What is it?"

Minnie's soft voice broke into his reverie, and he realized he was staring.

"Uh… I-I'm sorry…" he said as he shook his head, then smiled.

"It's just… I don't think I've ever met anyone like ya."

It was true; most of the highborn girls Mickey had known in his life were either so dull they had no opinion of their own or so conceited they looked down their noses at anyone and anything they passed.

"I mean, not just cause you're so pretty," he continued. "But you're real nice, an' smart, and when I'm with ya, I just feel like… like I can…"

He was startled into silence by a hand resting on his.

"Be yourself," Minnie finished for him, smiling.

Mickey gazed at her in surprise, then slowly nodded.

"Yes, exactly," he said, then let out a sigh. "Don't really get much chance for that these days."

Minnie frowned, looking concerned.

"What do you mean?"

Mickey's brow furrowed in frustration as he thought about the excruciating council session he'd weathered that morning. More time was spent on arguing or flattering than actually getting anything done, and even then the councilors just kept harassing his mother with everything and barely consulted him at all.

"Well, everyone's just been puttin' so much pressure on Mom ever since…"

He sighed and shook his head; he still couldn't talk about his father's death.

"See, Anaheim's got this tradition that the king needs to have a trial period with the son who's gonna succeed him. But, well… mine was never finished. Don't think I'm ever gonna live that down."

He shook his head, rubbing his neck.

"Dad was one of the greatest kings Anaheim ever had, but he… he was honest, y' know? Sure, he might've been careful with how he said it sometimes, but he always said the truth and folks respected him for it. But me… apparently it just makes me a weak leader."

"They say that to you?" Minnie asked in utter disbelief. Not just because the idea of people deliberately disrespecting their prince was quite alien to her, but because she couldn't imagine anyone being that way to someone like Mickey. He chuckled drily.

"Heh… they don't go that far. I know they don't trust me, though."

He glanced at Minnie, then looked away sheepishly.

"Sorry… I shouldn't be botherin' you with my issues."

Minnie smiled and patted his arm.

"No, don't apologize," she said. "After all, you listen to me. And I…" She shifted a little, then gave him a shy smile. "I want to listen to you, if it helps."

Mickey looked up in surprise, then smiled back at her.

"Thanks, Minnie. That's really thoughtful of ya."

All of a sudden he perked up as if remembering something and smacked his head.

"Ugh, jeez… how'd I forget? We heard more from your dad this morning and he's gettin' better. He's gonna be fine."

Minnie gasped, her heart swelling with so much joy she thought it would burst. She leaped up and flung her arms around Mickey without a second thought.

"Thank you," she whispered. "Thank you so much."

Mickey was startled for a moment, then returned the hug. Almost unconsciously, he turned his head toward her hair and his heart beat faster as he breathed in.

"Mickey? Did you say something?

The mouse felt his face heat as he realized what he was doing.

"Uh, n-no…" he stammered as he drew back. "J-just, uh… coughed…"

He let out his best fake cough and winced at how it sounded. Minnie looked a little confused, but she began looking him over with concern.

"Well, are… are you all right?" she asked. "Do you need some water or anything?"

Mickey cleared his throat and gave her a reassuring smile, feeling a little guilty for worrying her.

"Nah, I'm fine."

Minnie cocked her head, then smiled back before glancing out the window.

"Oh dear," she sighed, looking disappointed. "It's starting to get late."

Mickey looked as well and couldn't help groaning when he saw the sun's position. He knew well he couldn't risk being late back home again, or people were really going to start getting suspicious.

"Sorry, but I guess I've gotta go," he said, then looked at her with concern. "Are ya gonna be all right?"

Touched by his concern, Minnie smiled and patted his hand.

"Yes, I'll be fine." She hesitated, feeling uneasy. "But you… you'll come again, won't you?"

Mickey smiled back at her, then startled her by taking her hand and kissing it. His lips lingered a little longer than the last time, making her blush.

"Course I will," he said.

Doing her best to hide her blush, Minnie picked up the book and gave him a grateful smile before turning the pages. Once he was back on the ground and turned back to his normal self, he turned and looked up at her. She smiled and waved, her smile widening as he waved back. Slowly, she moved her hand to the one he had kissed and shivered a little.

It was tingling.

I know this chapter is a little shorter than usual, but it's been forever and I felt it was well past time for an update. Apologies if it wasn't the best… hopefully I can pick up the pace a bit. God Bless!