Oswald whistled a cheerful tune as he walked down the castle hall, ignoring the curious looks from guards and passing servants. He was in a good mood and saw no reason not to show it. Finally he reached a familiar pair of doors and tapped out a rhythmic knock.

"Two bits!"

At the reply from inside, Oswald grinned and pushed them open, walking in. He raised his eyebrows when Mickey turned to face him. In place of his usual attire, he was wearing a gold trimmed red tunic and a deep blue cape fastened with a gold clasp. Oswald whistled.

"You clean up nice… who knew?"

Mickey gave him a smirk.

"Thanks a lot. Though what I'm wearing isn't what I'm worried about."

Oswald grinned back.

"Well, half of it is if you look as hoity-toity as the rest of 'em, so ya got that covered."

He walked over and placed a hand on Mickey's shoulder, his smile softening.

"So, ya ready?"

Mickey sighed and gave him a little half-smile in return.

"As ready as I'll ever be. Let's go."

Oswald fell in step beside him as they left the room. He didn't say anything as they walked; he knew silence always helped Mickey clear his head.

The queen was waiting by the large double doors to the council chamber. She had given her mourning garb more flair, wearing a black gown embellished with crimson and gold embroidery and a tiara with black diamonds. A proud smile smoothed the wrinkles around her eyes as she stepped forward and placed her hands on her son's shoulders, gently smoothing his cape.

"Handsome as always," she murmured. "Like your father."

After a few moments, Lillian turned to Oswald and smiled again.

"I know you aren't a council member, Oswald, but if you'd like to come as an observer I'll see there are no objections."

Oswald grinned and dipped his head.

"Thanks, but I'm not sure I could keep my opinions to myself."

Lillian gave him an amused look.

"I imagine so. You've always had little patience for our 'blueblood messes', I believe you call them."

Mickey snorted back a laugh as Oswald coughed sheepishly. The queen's smile widened, but before she could speak again the double doors opened a little and Horace slipped out. When he saw the small group, he smiled and swept a bow.

"Sire, madam, the council's gathered and we're ready to start."

Oswald grinned and gave Mickey a gentle pat on the back.

"Go get 'em. I'll see ya after."

Mickey gave him a grin in return, then took a deep breath and turned to offer an arm to the queen. She took it and nodded to Horace, who cleared his throat and pushed open the large doors. His normally easygoing voice quickly turned into the grave formal one that still sounded strange coming from him.

"Her Majesty, Queen Lillian Marie Mouse and His Royal Highness, Prince Michael Walter Mouse."

The councilors seated at the large table all rose and bowed. After the doors closed Oswald headed back down the hall, resuming his whistling.

If they've got any sense, that announcement's gonna need altering soon.

…

Mickey kept his posture straight as he stood at the head of the table, his calm, confident mask on as he nodded in greeting. The councilors returned it; it was encouraging to see that several of their smiles were genuine, but others were watching with barely disguised cynicism. Ignoring it, he cleared his throat.

"Please be seated, everyone."

The councilors sat down and he followed suit, trying not to feel out of place in the large chair. The smaller one beside it, normally his, was occupied by his mother.

"Now, you all know that the ambassadors from Anaheim will be here tomorrow, but it would reflect well on us if we have our terms worked out before."

One of the older councilors rose, and Mickey saw the queen frown out of the corner of his eye. Opinions hadn't been invited yet. Mickey kept himself calm and relaxed; the act was a little out of turn, but not necessarily disrespectful. The advisor cleared his throat and spoke.

"With respect, a few of us have prepared a draft of terms and now request permission to present them for approval."

Several surprised murmurs met the statement, proving that not many others had known about it. Still, everyone had the right to present ideas. Mickey raised a hand and the voices quieted. He nodded, then glanced over at Lillian. He was slightly unnerved to see the surprise on her face. Hadn't they even talked to her? He forced his face to remain neutral as the man unrolled a paper and began to read.

Several of the terms sounded good but Mickey thought a few could use a little reworking, and everyone else should have the chance to share their opinions. When councilor finished reading and lowered the paper, he nodded and began to stand in order to speak, but the man never once looked at him and went on.

"We are quite certain these terms are well within reason and suitable for the negotiations. So, with your Majesty's permission…"

Mickey crossed his arms and cleared his throat. The councilor stopped, but only glanced at him before looking at the queen. She glared back at him.

"Don't look to me, sir… I'm here only as an observer."

The counselor blinked rapidly and let out an awkward cough.

"Oh, er… yes. Yes, of course, your Majesty."

He stood there in silence for a moment. Mickey narrowed his eyes, finally allowing some of his irritation to show. That had been a disrespectful act, not to mention a deliberate one.

Always keep your feelings under control, but don't hold back either displeasure or approval where it is due.

"Well?" he asked coldly. "Do you think you're the head of this meeting?"

The counselor seemed to suddenly remember himself; his eyes doubled in size and he stammered.

"O-oh, um… n-no, of course not… m-my pardons, your Highness…"

Mickey folded his arms ands waited until the fumbled apologies finally stopped. The advisor quickly sat back down, and he cleared his throat.

"Most of the terms are all right, but there's a few that sound like they need a little work. And I think everyone else should give their opinions before we agree."

A hum of approval passed around the table, and the previously skeptical older advisors now looked somewhat abashed. Out of the corner of his eye, Mickey noticed Queen Lillian smiling proudly. He allowed himself a slight smile and nodded before speaking again.

"All right, now let's hear them again."

The old counselor immediately dipped his head.

"Right away, Your Highness."

…

Minnie clutched her sides as she and Mickey struggled not to burst out laughing.

"Oh, I wish I could have seen his face!"

Mickey shrugged, smiling sheepishly.

"Well, Dad always said if they forget who's in charge, you gotta remind 'em so they don't again."

"I'm sure he won't!" Minnie giggled. "So, tell me about the terms! Did they get worked out?"

Mickey nodded.

"I think so… everyone got a word in and we got to a general agreement."

He went on to list and explain each one as Minnie listened, impressed.

"Yes, these sound very good… I'm sure Father will agree."

She reached over and patted his hand.

"But be on the lookout for who he sends… some of his envoys can be rather stuffy."

Mickey smirked and rolled his eyes.

"Ah well, doesn't sound too different from half the guys at home."

Minnie giggled again.

"I know that's one thing I don't miss about home," she said, than stood and struck a haughty pose with her nose in the air.

"My, good sir, I do believe you're almost as pretty as me. I would so like to get to know you, if you have a lot of money."

Mickey snorted as he tried hard not to laugh, then cleared his throat and stood, sweeping an elegant bow. He spoke with a ridiculously exaggerated posh accent.

"It just so happens I do, fair princess. Perhaps I might interest you in a dance?"

Biting her lip to stifle a giggle, Minnie curtsied.

"Why, of course."

Mickey grinned and held out a hand, which she took with exaggerated shyness as they moved into position. But as he placed a hand on her waist, a slight but very real blush tinted her cheeks. One he obviously noticed, as he pulled it away with an abashed look.

"Oh, sorry. I-I didn't mean…"

Minnie quickly gave him a reassuring smile.

"No, no, it's all right. I just… just haven't danced for a while."

Even if it wasn't quite the reason, it was still true. Mickey smiled back, looking a little sheepish.

"That's okay, I'm not exactly in practice myself. Just take it slow."

Taking a breath, Minnie let him begin leading. At first their steps were a little uneven, but in only a few minutes they slid into a smooth, steady rhythm. Minnie felt her blush fade, and her smile widened with each step. She glanced up at Mickey to see a smile just as wide on his own face.

"You call this out of practice?" she teased, raising a brow. Mickey grinned sheepishly as he twirled her.

"Well, I thought I was, anyhow. Just needed the right partner, maybe."

Minnie felt her blush return, along with a strange urge to giggle.

"Well…" she murmured, lowering her eyes. "Maybe we both did."

There was a pause, then she saw Mickey's smile grow almost shy.

"Heh… yeah."

…

Minnie picked up the book on the window seat and smiled at Mickey.

"So, the envoys arrive tomorrow?"

Mickey nodded, trying hard to keep the nervousness out of his smile, but Minnie still noticed. She reached out and placed a hand on his shoulder, rubbing it gently.

"Don't worry, you'll be wonderful. It'll be okay."

As he looked at her smile, Mickey felt his tension suddenly ease, replaced by a warm wave of gratitude. Without a second thought, he took her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze as he gazed at her.

"Thanks," he murmured.

Daisy cleared her throat, making them both jump and then roll their eyes. She was adjusting to the strangeness of it all, but still a little uncomfortable with them being in close contact.

"Right," Minnie said, then smiled and held out a hand. "Good luck to you, sir."

Grinning, Mickey took it and bowed.

"My thanks, milady."

He hesitated, then pressed her hand to his lips. A soft gasp reached his ears and he quickly drew back upright.

"I'll let ya know how everything goes," he said with a smile. The smile she gave him in return gave him strange warmth inside.

"Thank you."

She turned the pages, and Mickey felt the now familiar tingling run through him as his body shrank and changed. Flapping his wings, he flew out and down to the ground. Almost as soon as he landed, he felt himself change back to normal and laughed as Pluto greeted him happily. He glanced up at the window, then smiled and waved back when he saw Minnie waving to him.

Neither of them noticed the dark, hooded figure that suddenly appeared in the trees near the castle. As Mickey turned and headed back down the path through the forest, the small eyes under the hood narrowed.

With a sneering grin, the figure melted back into the trees.