Minnie tried to calm her pounding heart as she faced her enraged lady-in-waiting. If she didn't handle this situation delicately, there was going to be trouble.

"Daisy, calm down, it's all right…"

"All right?!" Daisy snapped, somehow remembering to keep whispering. "What, how… how is any of this 'all right'?"

Mickey stepped forward, his hands up in a calming gesture.

"I'm not looking for any trouble…"

He gulped when Daisy glared daggers at him.

"You should've thought of that before you broke in!"

Mickey stiffened and glared back at her with outrage.

"I didn't break in!"

Minnie stepped between them, anxious to prevent a fight.

"It's true, he didn't. I let him in…"

"You WHAT?!" Daisy squawked, then clamped a hand over her beak when both mice glared at her. All three waited for a few moments, and when no one came Daisy looked at Minnie with wide, incredulous eyes and continued in a hushed tone.

"Why would you just… do you even know who this guy is?!"

Deciding it was time to play the rank card, Minnie crossed her arms and frowned.

"Yes, as a matter of fact, I do! He's King Walter of Anaheim's son, Prince Michael, and the decision to let him in here was mine."

Daisy's face went from outraged to confused in the blink of an eye. She looked between them several times, opening and closing her mouth. Finally she found her voice again.

"W-… well, how… how can you know for sure?"

Minnie started to speak, but was stopped by a hand on her shoulder. Mickey gave her an encouraging smile and stepped forward.

"Anaheim is reopening alliance negotiations with King Marcus in few days. They've been on hold while he was sick. If I'm remembering right, the official announcement isn't until tomorrow."

Minnie had to admire his quick thinking; he knew that they would have heard about something so important, and indeed, her father had sent a letter about it. By now she was starting to feel sorry for Daisy, who looked like she wanted to melt into the floor. She dipped a rather clumsy curtsy, her face beet red.

"I… p-please excuse me, Your Highness. I was just… I, well… I…"

She looked up again and glanced at Minnie, uneasy.

"I, well… is everything all right?"

Minnie tried hard not to laugh; even when she was being respectful, Daisy was still looking out for her.

"Yes, Daisy… it's all right, I promise. I just didn't say anything because, well…"

She gave Daisy a pointed look and the duck blushed sheepishly.

"Sorry I scared you like I did," Mickey said as he stepped forward. "But she's right. I don't wanna cause any problems."

Minnie smiled at him before she walked over and took Daisy's hands, looking directly at her.

"Please, Daisy. He's my friend."

She waited anxiously as Daisy looked between her and Mickey, looking uncertain and still confused. Minnie didn't want to have to order her to keep it a secret, but she would do it if she had to.

Finally, Daisy sighed and looked at Minnie. She still looked uneasy, but Minnie could see the decision in her eyes.

"All right. I won't tell anyone… I promise."

Minnie smiled and wrapped her arms around Daisy, pulling her into a hug.

"Thank you so much!"

Daisy stiffened in surprise, then returned the hug.

"You're welcome."

She lowered her voice to a whisper.

"I suppose this means I can't keep an eye on him?"

Minnie drew back and smiled at her, trying her best not to burst out laughing.

"Oh, Daisy! There's no need for that, I promise. But if you could make sure no one else comes in, I would appreciate it. I don't want to get him in any trouble."

Daisy looked even more uneasy for a moment, but soon she nodded and grinned as she curtsied.

"Of course, milady. You can count on me."

Minnie stifled a giggle; as hard as she might work to be the proper lady, Daisy was just as fascinated by intrigue as she was.

…

Oswald paced in one of the small gardens near the castle, glancing at the gateway leading to the forest. After a few moments, he sighed and leaned against a nearby statue as he grumbled under his breath.

"Always gotta run off… don't know why I cover for him… not even my job…"

"Talkin' to yourself again, Os?"

Oswald jumped at the familiar voice and turned. Mickey was grinning as he walked up to him, Pluto trotting at his side.

"More like wonderin' if you were gonna make me think up excuses for ya again," the rabbit retorted with a smirk. "Your mom wanted me to tell ya she needs t' talk to you right away when ya got back."

Mickey's smile changed into a look of concern.

"Is somethin' wrong?"

Oswald shook his head.

"I don't think so… she didn't look upset or anything. It seemed kind of important, though. If ya took any longer gettin' back, there might've been some trouble."

He smirked again at Mickey's sheepish look. The prince cleared his throat and whistled to Pluto, who was sniffing at a nearby molehill.

"Is it private, or do I need to…"

"Relax," Oswald chuckled as they hurried inside. "It's private… though a bath wouldn't kill ya…"

Mickey shot him a look and gave him a playful shove.

"Thanks a lot. By the way, can ya do me a favor and make sure Pluto gets fed, in case this takes a while?"

Oswald couldn't help smiling. In all the years he'd known Mickey, he had never seen him command unless it was necessary or for show. It was one of the things that led the rabbit to respect him so much.

"No problem."

Mickey gave him a grateful smile.

"Thanks, Os."

A pair of guards stood at attention and opened the doors to the queen's personal chambers. Mickey straightened his tunic as they stepped in and Oswald turned to him, smirking a little.

"I wouldn't bother. Well, guess I better leave ya to it."

"That won't be necessary… I think you both will like to hear this."

The voice was soft, but both turned right away. Mickey dipped his head and Oswald bowed as Queen Lillian emerged from another room and walked over to them. As usual, her plain black gown and tired expression gave her a sober look, but there seemed to be more energy in her step and when she placed a hand on Mickey's shoulder, her smile reached her eyes for the first time in weeks.

"You know we are reopening alliance negotiations with Anaheim soon, and I have good news. On the condition that I still be present, the council has agreed that you will take precedence."

Oswald had to keep his mouth from dropping open. He glanced over at Mickey, who looked just as startled.

"But… I thought they already decided…"

Lillian let out a soft laugh and waved a hand, cutting off her son's protest.

"Oh, they did. But I told them that unless they plan to take over themselves, it was high time they stopped embarrassing themselves and this kingdom by acting like children scared of their own shadows."

Oswald stared at the queen for a few moments, then smirked and looked at Mickey as a grateful smile lit up his friend's face.

"Mom… thank you. I won't let you down, I promise."

His mother smiled back and gave his shoulder a gentle squeeze, but then her face grew sad again.

"You don't need to promise that, I already know you can do it. Their behavior has been shameful, as well as a disgrace to your father's memory, and I will not see you forced to tolerate it any longer. I'm only sorry I allowed it for this long."

Mickey smiled and placed his hand over hers.

"Don't be sorry. It's not your fault."

The sadness on Lillian's face lessened and a smile tugged at her face.

"The official announcement is tomorrow, but I wanted to tell you two right away."

She looked at Oswald and raised an eyebrow.

"And I knew you would want all the time you could to keep reminding him that you told him so."

Oswald smirked sheepishly. When Mickey stifled a laugh, he turned and playfully thumped his friend's back.

"Well, I did!"

….

"I just still can't believe it! You've really been seeing him for almost a WEEK? And nobody knew about it?"

Minnie giggled and gave Daisy's shoulder a small push.

"Daisy, you've heard this five times already! And if you keep talking about it everybody is going to going to know."

Her lady in waiting pouted, but a small grin was visible.

"It's just so unbelievable!" she breathed. "How do you even get him in?"

Minnie bit her lip with unease, glancing at the red leather book still on the window seat. She doubted Daisy would believe her; she would probably think it was some kind of a joke, if she didn't think she was crazy.

"Well… it's kind of hard to explain. I'll have to show you next time he comes."

Daisy raised her eyebrows and was about to speak again when a sudden knock rapped on the door, followed by a somewhat droning voice.

"Pardon me… there is a letter for Her Highness."

Almost like clockwork, Daisy swept across the room and opened the door. On the other side stood one of the two valets staying at the castle, the tall chubby one who always seemed bored, though he seemed the more respectable one.

"I'll take it," Daisy said, plucking the letter out of his hand. He kept it held out for a few seconds before looking at Minnie and bowing.

"Milady."

Minnie gave him a small smile as he closed the door, then looked at Daisy as her friend handed over the letter. Minnie squinted at the seal; she recognized it as belonging to one of the noble families in Anaheim.

That's odd…

"What is it?"

Daisy's voice broke into Minnie's thoughts, bringing her back to the present. She broke the seal and began to read the elegant script aloud.

To Her Highness, Princess Minerva of Burbank

As you may know, King Marcus has decided to reopen alliance negotiations with Queen Lillian of Anaheim. Long-standing tradition states that alliances be strengthened by marriage, and being a noble of some standing in Anaheim I place myself forward as an option. Her Majesty your stepmother has granted her permission and arranged a formal meeting for tomorrow afternoon. She has sent a message to inform your household staff and left me the pleasure of informing you. I look forward to our encounter eagerly.

Lord Mortimer Rodawn

Minnie lowered the letter into her lap, stunned.

"Wh… what… now they want me to marry? Why… why didn't Father…"

Daisy's hand on her shoulder broke through the fog.

"Your Highness, it's all right. Maybe the queen just didn't want to bother your father with it. It's not a formal proposal after all, just a visit to see how you like him. And besides, only the king can grant permission for courtship. If you don't want to see him after this, you don't have to."

The knot in Minnie's chest slowly loosened at the truth in Daisy's words, but she still couldn't shake a strange feeling. It almost felt like some sort of guilt. She glanced down at the letter again, only half listening to Daisy as she chattered on about the excitement of having two gentlemen callers. Minnie had never given much thought to marriage, and especially not now. Was that why she felt like she wouldn't really like this mysterious suitor, no matter how handsome or gallant he was?

Was that why her thoughts kept drifting to Mickey?