I had given up on this story until I had a few of you guys review and favorite this story, so thank you so much! It definitely helps my motivation when I know that people are also reading and invested in the story as well. Appreciate you guys!

Traveling away from the palace, the group found themselves in the Alps. Riley, Violet, Maxwell, Drake and Hana stood on a vista, overlooking the Nevrakis chateau.

"Here we are!" announced Maxwell, gesturing around him. "Welcome to Lythikos! Land of ice, snow, and mountains!"

"This is where Olivia lives?" asked Riley, impressed.

"Some of the time, yeah. She's primarily at Lythikos Hall, which is further south, but she'll host us up here for the social season, so we can take advantage of the snowy festivities," mentioned Maxwell.

Riley frowned. "And so she can take advantage of the Prince?"

"She does have the edge here, but that's no reason to admit defeat!" offered Hana optimistically.

"That's the spirit!" cheered Maxwell.

"What happened to your brother, Maxwell? I noticed he's not around lecturing Jones. I thought he hated to miss out on the chance to eat fancy food and rub elbows with royalty..." sneered Drake.

Maxwell slumped. "Bertrand was called away for some business having to do with our estate."

"Bertrand is gone?" Violet perked up. "Maybe this vacation isn't a waste after all."

Maxwell threw his arm over her shoulders. "Don't you mean time is never a waste when it's spent with me?"

She patted his cheek with her mitten hand. "I'm too cold to feed your ego."

"But it's beautiful out here!" countered Hana. She shivered. "I guess it is very cold though."

"Alright, you guys win. Let's go check out the inside of the chateau. I'll show you to your rooms," offered Maxwell.

Entering the building, Maxwell led Riley and Violet into the lavish and grand estate before stopping at a bedroom. "Put your stuff down and unpack Riley, so we can go have an adventure!"

"What's your rush?" Riley asked, flopping on the bed. "Ooo, comfty."

"We've got an entire day in the snow planned out! Plus I already see Olivia and Liam out there on the ice." Maxwell looked out the window. "Looks cold, better put on something warm."

Violet went to put her stuff down, but Maxwell cleared his throat awkwardly. "Uh, Violet, you can either stay with Riley, or ...um, since Bertrand isn't here...you could always stay with me. Uh, no pressure."

She smiled at his uncomfortableness, finding it endearing that he still got nervous around her. "Will you be alright, Riley? I can stay if you need me to."

Riley waved her off. "Naw, you are fine. It'll be great to have the whole bed to myself, and the blankets!"

Smacking her arm playfully, Violet handed her suitcase to Maxwell. "Can you please put this in our room? Riley and I have to find Snow Bunny outfits so we don't freeze out there."

He grinned at her. "Gladly! See you in ten."

Heading down to main guest closet, Riley observed, "Olivia is actually a pretty good host, letting us use some of her 'last season' clothes while we are here."

"Let's not be too appreciative yet, watch there be nothing flattering."

Pulling out a turtle neck, jeans, and a long woolen jacket, Riley tried it on. "Well it could be worst, but as long as I belt the jacket, I look cute and am warm. Plus I'm loving this funky scarf." Turning to Violet, she asked, "What are you wearing?"

"Dude, I'm just trying not to die out there." Wearing an oversized sweater dress over some fleecelined leggings, Violet managed to find over the knee snow boots and a long navy puffy coat. Grabbing a grey beanie and matching wool scarf, she completed her look.

"You look frumpy."

"You mean, warm. I'm not trying to impress the Prince, so who cares." Pulling on her mittens she waited by the door for Riley. "Hurry up, I'm overheating."

"Why don't you just leave then?"

Violet held up her mitten hands. "I can't work the knob!"

Riley laughed. "Here we go!"

Back outside, Maxwell led the girls towards the frozen lake, where they put on their ice skates. "You know how to ice skate, right guys?" asked Maxwell.

"I know the basics, try to stay upright and don't fall," replied Riley.

"Babe?"

"I'll skate circles around you!"

"Ah, bummer. I was totally going to be romantic and try to teach you."

"We can do a bit of role reversal and I could teach you?" she grinned at him.

On the ice, several guests already skated around in pairs, including Prince Liam and Olivia at the center of the lake. "Remember to keep your eyes on the prize...Now get out there and grab some time with the Prince while we distract Olivia!"

Waving at Olivia, Maxwell called out, "Olivia! You gotta stay where you are, we are racing to you. Don't move!"

"Go get 'em, tiger," winked Violet as she hipchecked Riley, sending her sailing across the ice.

"Whoa!" Shifting her weight around, Riley managed to firmly balance herself and skate over to Prince Liam, shooting Violet a dirty look.

Racing towards Olivia, Violet reached her first. Turning to face Maxwell, she cheered, "I win!"

Her reward was Maxwell crashing into her, sending her, Olivia and himself to the ice. "Ouch!" cried out Olivia.

Helping the ladies to their feet, Maxwell apologized. "Sorry, I'm not very good at stopping."

Huffing, Olivia skated away, leaving Maxwell and Violet alone. "You don't know how to stop?!"

Twirling her on the ice, he grinned. "I never really tried to learn. This is only my third time on skates!"

Violet gave a clap of approval. "Well then, I'm impressed. So that means I really can teach you how to do things."

"You can try!" Looking back at Riley and Liam, deep in conversation, he held his hands to Violet. "Teach me how to skate like one of your French girls."

Eventually the pair got tired of skating and joined up with Drake and Hana, who were making snow men. "I'm so happy those two like each other so much, they are still skating together!"

Hana gathered some sticks for their snowmen. "I am happy losing to someone as respectable and likable as Lady Riley."

Maxwell laid on the ground, fanning his legs and arms out to make a snow angel. "I'm pooped, I don't know how they are still out there."

"Awww. Let me tuck you in," offered Violet, as she began to bury Maxwell in the snow.

"Hey! That's cold!" He tackled her to the ground, rubbing snow in her face.

"Ah!" The pair giggled and formed chairs for themselves out of snow, so they could watch the lake and still rest by Hana and Drake. Snuggling into Maxwell, Violet asked, "Is Olivia so cold hearted because she has to live in this frigid weather?"

Maxwell shook his head. "Honestly it's a quite sad. Her parents were killing in a political assassination when she was only five years old. She was alone, without family at her estate for the better part of a year before Liam's parents and him officially visited. She was supposed to be in the care of her great aunt, but the woman had left to summer on the Riviera, abandoning her. Olivia didn't have anyone, and she was so alone."

Violet nodded. "Reminds me of my own childhood." Maxwell looked at her. "Erm, without the political assassination, though that might have been the better route. Did she at least have her servants to help?"

"The servants did their best, but they were traditionalists, Nevrakis-famiy trained for decades. After a lifetime of holding the nobiity up on a pedestal, they weren't prepared to give her what she needed most...love." Maxwell's face fell. "Liam was her first friend really, and she started living at the palace and met me and Bertrand and Drake. And we all got along, but Liam always held a special place in her heart, I think."

"Yeah, for the first few months she wouldn't leave Liam's side. Drove me crazy!" added Drake, plopping down on his own patch of snow. "Especially being that young, we didn't want to hang out with girls."

"Uh oh," Hana looked out over the lake. "Looks like Olivia was able to steal Liam away again." The group watched Olivia wrap her arm around Liams, and as they skated away, snake her hand into his.

"Since you guys pretty much grew up together, don't you guys see her more like a sister, than a love interest?" asked Violet.

Drake nodded, "I tend to feel that way towards her...a sister you don't want around. "

Maxwell drifted off in thought. "I think Bertrand might have had a thing for her, but he was gone for most of the time that she was in puberty and it hit her pretty hard. Definitely ugly duckling to swan thing going on for her."

Violet hit his stomach. "Max! That's rude, all girls struggle during puberty."

Hana agreed. "I had the worst acne. The girls at bordering school would call me, 'Hideous Hana.'"

"You are absolutely gorgeous, Hana, inside and out." complimented Drake.

She blushed, "Thank you. But during puberty, that was another story."

Watching the rest of the nobles on the ice, the group saw Kiara sliding across the lake on her stomach. Wincing, Violet asked, "I don't suppose she did that on purpose, did she?"

Penelope was not fairing much better either and Tariq was refusing to get on the ice. Rising to her feet, Hana offered Violet her hand. "Shall we take a lap? We can let the guys hang out together."

Taking it, the girls glided over to Riley. Skating backwards, the pair circled Riley, like a shark. "Dun na, dun na, DUN NA!" cried out Violet, doing a poor impression of the Jaws theme song.

Riley laughed. "I'd be careful Vee, looks like Maxwell is rubbing off on you."

Violet pretended to swat her. "Don't insult me!"

"Ah, I'd like to apologize," offered Hana, turning to Violet. "For hitting on Maxwell at the Masquerade. I didn't know you had a relationship with him, otherwise I would've never. And you were still so nice to me, that night."

"It's ok, Violet didn't know she was in a relationship with him either," laughed Riley.

"Hey!" cried out Violet. "But she was right. I didn't know where we stand and I kinda don't really now either. But I'm just playing it day to day and enjoying it while I can. Honestly I'm surprised it's gotten this far. With me not being nobility and Bertrand hating everyone, I keep expecting the other shoe to drop."

Hana smiled at her. "It's obvious he's in love with you."

"Lust, I'm sure. Love, I highly doubt it."

She shrugged, "Believe what you want, but I see the way he lights up around you and wants to always be by you. He's positively smitten."

Violet smiled sadly, "I don't want to get ahead of myself, especially with status and all this other stuff I don't have." Turning to Riley, she asked, "Why'd you let Olivia steal Liam from you?"

"It's fine, Liam has obligations, I don't take it personally."

"You are so level headed, I hate you. I'm constantly having to talk myself down from a jealously induced rage."

"It seems you are fit for royal court," compliment Hana, twirling gracefully before coming to a full stop.

"Where'd you learn to skate like that? It couldn't have been with the other ladies," asked Riley, gesturing to the two who were struggling to remain upright.

"Ice skating was one of the things my parents sent me to lessons for," answered Hana. "Was that the case with you, Violet? You skate quite well."

Skating off and doing a jump split, Violet came back to the pair. "Correct, as well as gymnastics."

"That's unusual. I just had soccer and basketball practice."

"Let me guess, Hana, it was a skill used to appeal to suitors. 'A display of elegance can go a long way,'" Violet exaggerated her air quotes.

"Yes! Were you sent off to training?"

"Yeah, come to think of it, Vee, you do tend to have a lot of the same skill sets as Hana."

Violet shrugged. "My mother was a greedy succubus who constantly remarried for more money. She sent me off to train in the art of seduction, but I never was up to her standards so she constantly found me a disappointment. Once I managed to mess up my inheritance she had no further use for me."

"Funny now that you are seeing someone from House Beaumont then. The ultimate 'Eff you,'" laughed Riley.

Violet rolled her eyes, "You know their situation, so not really." Changing the subject before they revealed too much, Violet asked Hana, "Did you at least like ice skating?"

"It's...ok. When my parents were selecting my activities, whether or not I enjoyed something wasn't a factor they considered. Now I find myself with all sorts of skills that I honesty haven't much interest in."

"Preach!"

Approached by Olivia and Liam, the host announced, "Alright guys, time to hit the slopes!"

"There you guys are!" Maxwell and Drake skiied up next to the girls. "We've been out here for at least an hour."

"I finally found an excuse to use these expensive ski equipment I bought three years ago!" cried out Tariq.

"Aww, where you guys starting to miss us?" asked Violet.

Nodding his head "yes," Maxwell switched to a "no" motion once Drake elbowed him. "Hardly," answered Drake. "We were just getting bored. Figure skating isn't really my thing."

"Oh really? I think you'd look good in a tutu," teased Hana, bashfully.

Violet cringed. "Some mental images aren't worth the effort."

"I supposed this is manly enough for you?" asked Riley, a glint in her eye.

"Pfft, this is hardly skiing. But I'm looking to change that. How about a race, guys vs girls?" offered Drake.

"What makes you think we can ski?"

"Oh, c'mon Hana. You mean to tell me with all your fancy training, you were never taught to ski?" Drake grinned at her. "Maybe I'm just starting to have faith in you guys that you are actually really cool and talented."

"I think we've more than proven our coolness and talents," stated Violet.

"This sounded almost like a compliment, Drake. You are scaring me with your...niceness," mentioned Riley.

"I am scaring myself!" He laughed. "Anyways, I'm going to start skiing down this slope in a minute, and if any guy gets to the bottom before any girl, well let's just say I'm calling that a win and you will never hear the end of it...Ready, set...don't wipe out!"

The group pushed off, while Drake takes the lead. Chasing after him, the wind whipped against the girls' faces as they picked up speed while Drake maintained his pace in front. Off to the side, Olivia and Liam gently skiied downhill while talking together. The group narrowly dodged them, while Violet sprayed Olivia with snow.

"Sorry!" she called out behind her, hiding her laugh. "I'm not a good skiier!"

Just as Olivia wiped the snow from her face, Maxwell comes down, respraying her. "Whoops! Sorry 'Liv, you know me, not good with winter sports!"

Further down the slope, a large fallen branch blocked the path. Swerving around it, Drake maintained the lead. "Watch for the branch!"

Riley leaped over it, her uninterrupted momentum causing her to speed past Drake, finishing first. "Girls rule, boys drool!"

Finishing soon after her, Hana and Violet join the chant. Drake waited while Maxwell pulled in fifth and Tariq was still at the halfway point. "So much for that fancy equipment," Drake muttered under his breath. "...I'm not too thrilled, but if you're going to hop a branch like that, then you deserve to win. Nice moves." He shook Riley's hand. Taking a deep breath, he breathed in the cold, crisp air. "This trip hasn't been half bad so far. Shame that tomorrow it's back to waltzing and bowing and all that."

"At least I can ski better than I can waltz...which is barely at all," admitted Riley.

"Wait, you can't waltz?! I thought you dance with Liam?" exclaimed Drake.

Riley shrugged, "He did all the work. Why, is it important?"

He shook his head. "Jones, Jones, Jones. What would you do without me? There's a ball tomorrow. All of the ladies are expected to dance the Cordonian Waltz in front of everyone."

Violet hit Maxwell, "What the hell? You forgot to tell Riley something again!"

"It's fine, I'll figure it out," stated Riley. "I've survived this far." Drake gave her a disbelieving look. "Fine, let's say I'm curious...How does one dance the Cordonian Waltz?"

"I don't know, why are you asking me?" Drake laughed as Riley punched him.

"I can teach you, Riley," offered Maxwell. "...Tho I actually don't know the girl part. Do they just follow my lead?"

Hana shook her head. "Don't worry dear, I'll teach you."

Riley gave her a hug. "My hero!"

Olivia called out to the group. "Hey guys, it's time to head over to my spectacular lodge to warm up!"

Taking off their ski gear, Violet and Maxwell exchanged a glance. "Last one inside is a rotten egg!"

Pushing Maxwell over, Violet took off running.

Back at the lodge, the gang sat by the fire, sipping a mug of steaming hot chocolate. Burrowing into Maxwell's side and draping her legs across his lap, Violet purred contently. "Best. Vacation. Ever."

Maxwell smiled sweetly at her, before kissing the top of her head. Turning to Riley, he asked, "Did you have fun today?"

"Today was super fun! And now we have hot chocolate."

"It's wonderful. Look, little marshmallows shaped like hearts!" observed Hana.

"Just adorable," stated Drake sarcastically, earning him a dirty look from Riley.

"Heads up, incoming," warned Maxwell as Olivia entered.

"Well hello, my dear guests. I hope you're enjoying my spectacular hosting."

"I always enjoy my time here with you, Olivia," flattered Maxwell.

"Brown noser," Violet said under her breath.

"It's...something," offered Drake.

Olivia smiled thinly at him. "Did you see that we have eclairs, Drake? They always remind me of dear, darling little Savannah. She'd gobble them down like a sow at the trough."

Violet shot up and exchanged a look with Riley and Hana. "Whoa, overstep!" exclaimed Maxwell.

"Don't talk about my sister," growled Drake.

Olivia's eyes narrowed and her smile sickly sweet. "Why ever not? She was such a fixture at court, and then she just up and disappeared. You never told us what happened, and usually gossip is quick to spread."

"She left because of people like you." Drake tensed up with hostility.

"She always was so sensitive," stated Olivia condescendingly. "Ladies like that don't last long here."

Drake's jaw clenched, but then he suddenly glanced at his watch and relaxed. "You know what? I just remembered, I've got somewhere I need to be. If you'll excuse me..." Bowing curtly to the ladies, Drake strode off.

"Wait, Drake dear! Come back! I wasn't finished with you!"

"Back off Olivia, if this gets back to Liam, you know he'd be pissed," warned Maxwell.

She huffed and rolled her eyes. "He was being too sensitive."

"What was Drake's sister like?" asked Hana, curiously.

"There's not much to tell. She thought she could fit in with the nobility...and she was wrong." She glared at Riley. "I guess she figured that out faster than some, and took her leave. Though by all accounts, it was rather sudden. Overnight, she packed up her things and disappeared without a word. Now, as charming as this has been, I've got to get back to Prince Liam. I've promised him a private tour of the Lythikos castle. Bye bye darings!" Leaving with a wink, she flounced out of the room.

"What...the fuck," asked Violet.

"Olivia is a monster! I can't believe the things she says," stated Hana.

"Maxwell, do you have any idea what happened to Drake's sister?" Riley turned to Maxwell, who looked uncomfortable.

"Not really...it's like Olivia said. Savannah used to hang out with us, but one day, she left. I'm not sure why. The last time I saw her, she was her usual friendly self. Anyway, Drake clearly didn't want to talk about it, so I don't pry."

"Poor Drake," said Hannah sadly.

"Yeah, he doesn't usually let Olivia get under his skin like that, and she knows better than to talk about Savannah..."

"Is he going to tell Liam about this? Or are we?" asked Violet.

"I don't see Drake as the snitching type, and neither are we," stated Riley.

"Well I hope he's alright. I saw him go outside, but it's not a good idea to be out there right now. I've heard there's a storm brewing tonight," worried Hana. "What can he be thinking?"

Peering outside, the sky darkened from earlier and has taken on an ominous tone. "There's only one way to find out," Riley stated, standing up.

"Please no," prayed Violet. "Do not say we are going out there."

"You don't have to, but I am. We have to find him before the storm gets too bad. I'm not wearing this jacket for nothing. I'm going to see what he's doing. "

"I'll go with you!" offered Hana, redressing in her previous warm clothes.

Maxwell looked at Violet and shrugged. "Well, peer pressure. I'm going too."

Violet reluctantly stood up. "Fine.."

Pulling their coats around them tightly, the group went off into the dark night to find Drake. Following his footsteps, the group found Drake in a clearing, staring into the woods. "Drake there you are!" cried Hana as she ran up to hug him. "We were so worried."

"Hana? What are you guys doing here?"

"We saw you going off on your own, close to dark with a storm coming and we wanted to make sure you were ok. After what Olivia said to you, I could see that it struck something inside of you," offered Riley, wrapping her scarf around his neck.

Hana covered him with a spare blanket she had brought from the house, while Maxwell offered up his gloves. Looking at Violet, she sighed and took the beanie off her head and put it on Drake's. "When I freeze to death, I'm totally going to haunt your ass," she warned, nestling into Maxwell for warmth.

"No offense, I'm glad you gave me stuff to keep warm, but I don't need you guys looking out for me."

Hana looked near tears. "Thanks."

"That's not what I..." He noticed her shiver. "Sorry, come here." He scooted over on his log and opened up one side of the blanket. "Oh hell, I'll share. I'm not trying to be a jerk, but I know that's how I'm coming across." Reluctantly, she came over to sit next to him and share the blanket. Riley, Maxwell and Violet pulled up a log nearby. "I only meant that you shouldn't have to worry about me. You guys should only be looking out for yourselves."

"What did you come out here to do, exactly?" asked Violet. "Besides trying to freeze to death."

He smiled before wrapping his arm around Hana and making her fall backwards onto the snow. "Hey!" Looking up to the sky, her breath caught in her throat. "Oh wow."

Shrugging, Maxwell wrapped an arm around both Riley and Violet, toppling them backwards too. Their gaze landed on the most star-filled sky they've ever laid eye on. As they watched, shooting stars lit up the night. "This is the most beautiful thing I've ever seen," breathed out Violet.

Maxwell turned to her, "You're the most beautiful thing I've seen."

She rolled her eyes. "That was set up perfectly."

"Doesn't mean it isn't true." Her cheeks flushed in reply.

The group continued to start up at the sky, noticing clouds starting to creep across the stars. "Looks like we were just in time to see this before the stars came in. I wish Liam was here to see this," stated Riley sadly.

"Yeah, I didn't want to miss it. I used to do this with my younger sister, Savannah, every year." Hannah held Drake's hand and gave him a reassuring smile. "We grew up around the royals. My dad used to do security for Liam and his brother, and my sister and I were allowed to hang out with them. Liam and I ended up getting close, even though I didn't have the lineage to merit it." Hannah gave his hand a squeeze. Sighing, Drake continued, "Savannah, on the other hand, got along with everyone, and they were all friendly with her. She loved living at the palace when we were kids, being around all the pretty dresses and jewelry. But it got harder as she got older..."

"What happened?" asked Hana softly.

"She..It was hard on her. She couldn't take it, I guess. After what happened with ...I failed her. I couldn't protect her from this place, or these people."

Hana released his hand and sat up. "'These people?' You mean people like me and Maxwell and Prince Liam!?"

Drake put his hand over his face and was quiet for a moment. "Maybe not you guys specifically...but...I'm sorry, I guess I'm still not ready to talk about it. This is more than I've talked about it with anyone in the last year, actually."

Maxwell sat up. "Drake, you know we all cared about Savannah. We would never hurt her, she was practically our little sister too."

Drake shook his head. "No, I don't know that. And she always thought that Olivia was like a sister to her, and look how she turned on her." More snowflakes fell. "I think we better go back. It would be quite the scandal if I let two of the Prince's suitors freeze to death out here on my watch."

"So I guess we are just chopped liver, huh?" stated Violet, gesturing to her and Maxwell.

Drake grinned at her. "Pretty much."

"Well the next time you tell me that I'm doing something stupid, I'm going to remind you about your little walk in the blizzard," teased Riley.

"Um, I do plenty of stupid stuff, Jones. I'm practically the King of Stupid."

"No argument there," chimed in Violet.

Making it back to the chateau, Drake said his goodnights. "Thanks again guys for checking on me, appreciate you." He wrapped the girls in a hug, and went to give Maxwell a handshake, but was pulled into a bro hug.

"I suppose we'd better go to sleep too. The Cordonian Waltz is tomorrow after all and we'll need a good night's rest to pull it off successfully," suggested Hana.

"I don't think any amount of sleep is going to improve my chances," frowned Riley.

"What do you mean?"

"As Drake reminded me earlier, I don't know the waltz."

"Oh no, I forgot, it's rather late, but I suppose if you wanted to, I could show you? I'm not the best at leading, but Maxwell could guide while I tell you the steps."

Following Hana into her room, Riley and pushed aside some furniture to create a space for dancing. "I appreciate you guys helping me with this, especially since it's so late."

"No problem..."mumbled Violet, heading straight to Hana's bed and curling up with her eyes closed.

"It's the least I can do after you cheered me up at the Masquerade! I'm just sorry that I didn't think to ask if you knew it. It's a good thing Drake's looking out for you!"

"Hey!" cried out Maxwell, as he laid down besides Violet. "I have a lot to keep track of. Fa -" He stifled a yawn. "Firstly, you-"

"Firstly you get your butt up and help us clear a dance floor!" stated Riley, pulling Maxwell to his feet. Frowning, he reluctantly got up and started to clear some space. Turning to Hana, Riley shrugged. "Alright, the Cordonian Waltz. How complicated is this going to be?"

"Hmmm," pondered Hana. "It depends. Do you consider yourself a good dancer?"

"Like an angel!"

"Perfect! Then this shouldn't be a problem. If you have a good sense of rhythm, I think you can pick it up easily enough. Now, the Codonian Waltz is a choreographed dance with specific steps. As long as you know your part for each of them, you can follow your partner easily."

Maxwell hooked his phone up to Hana's speakers. "Boom, music. Let's begin. Hana, you can be the Prince in this situation so Riley can learn her part."

Hana bowed, "Lady Riley."

Riley grinned. "'Prince Liam.'" She curtsy in an overexaggerated way, cracking the pair up.

"Now you - you-" Maxwell yawned. "You get into position. Riley left hand on shoulder..."

Hana guided Riley into the correct position while putting her hand on Riley's waist and started guiding her through the steps while the pair on the bed drifted off to sleep.

"Hey, sleepyheads. Back to your room!" Riley shook Violet's shoulder, dodging the swat that she knew was coming. "Hana needs to sleep, don't be rude!" The pair grumbled, but slowly started to rise, rubbing the sleep from their eyes. Turning back to Hana, Riley thanked her again. "I appreciate you helping Hana. You are so good at so many things!"

Hana smiled sadly. "As much as I'd like to claim it's natural talent, it's as I said before. My parents have been pushing me to learn all the courtly and social arts since I was young..."

"You must've had no free time," stated Riley.

She shrugged. "Between school, dance, music lessons and etiquette classes, my schedule was very full. My parents expect a lot. They were devastated when they didn't have any sons so they put all their expectations on me. Every day of my life has been about grooming me to bring fame and fortune to my family by winning some prince or noble's hand..." She sighed. "For all the good it's done after my last engagement..."

Seeing that Maxwell and Violet were still getting their bearings, Riley asked, "Do you mind if I ask what happened? With your fiance?"

Hana took a deep breath. "Peter was an English nobleman. He was well off and had an ancestral title and home...all of the things my parents always wanted for our family. We'd spend long afternoons horseback riding and sailing. He was very kind...That, and he'd been raised with romantic notions about true love and a lifetime of happily wedded bliss. It should have been perfect."

"But?" Violet asked, enthralled by the story.

"But I didn't love him," whispered Hana. "My parents never asked me what I wanted, never gave me reason to think that i might also love the person I'd marry. So when he proposed, I knew I had to accept. I tried my best, but he became suspicious. At our engagement party a month before the wedding, he cornered me and he asked me if he was what I wanted. And even though I told him what he wanted to hear, I couldn't keep back the tears. He knew me well enough by then to know. He could tell that I was miserable. I don't think he ever understood why I would've gone through with it..."

"But he was born to power and privilege, how could he understand?" Violet rose and gave Hana a hug, which Riley joined. Figuring that this was a hugging moment, Maxwell joined in too.

Pulling away, Hana wiped a lone tear from her eye. "Thanks guys. He was good enough not to make a big deal of it, but there was a lot of ugly speculation about why we parted. Especially because he got married shortly after to another woman..." She let out a long slow breath. "But that's behind me now...My parents are upset with me, but they've given me another chance. Here, now."

Riley frowned. "But aren't you worried that history will repeat itself...with Liam?"

Hana shrugged. "Well...I'm hopeful that things will turn out differently this time. And i don't want to disappoint my parents. Besides, it's not all bad." She broke into a grin. "They've been pressuring me to spend more time with you."

"To make yourself look better?" asked Violet suspiciously.

For a moment Hana was flustered. "Well, I mean, Riley's got a special connection with the Prince...And if I'm close to you, then I'm closer to Liam." She saddened at the confession.

"Wow, that's quite a strategy," stated Riley.

"But I want you to know that I do LIKE spending time with you, Riley."

Riley smiled at her. "I like spending time with you too, Hana. It's good to have you in my support system." She gave her a hug as the clock on the mantel stroked midnight.

"I suppose we should get some sleep..." stretched Maxwell, headed towards the door. "Thanks again for your help, Hana." He gave her a one arm squeeze and waited in the doorway for Violet and Riley.

Hugging Hana close, Violet whispered in her ear. "My mother is the same way as yours. If you ever need someone to talk to, or want to find a way to escape, I'm here."

Pulling away, Hana smiled at her. "I think I'll be ok for now, but I might take you up on that if things don't go well."

Riley went in for her hug before the trio walked down the hall to their own bedrooms.

Entering their room after dropping Riley off at hers, Maxwell and Violet got ready for bed. Stretching his arms above his head, Maxwell asked, "Violet, you know I care about you right?" Her eyebrow rose in question. "And you know I find you super attractive, right?...Well, can we just be an old couple tonight and just cuddle and then go to bed? I'm wiped."

Violet laughed. "And here I was afraid you were going to say something stupid." She placed a sweet kiss on his lips. "That sounds perfect."

"Whew," admitted Maxwell and he took off his shirt and threw it at Violet to wear to bed. Heading to go brush his teeth, he shouted from the bathroom. "I am not sure I could have sex right now. I'm so tired."

"It's ok babe, I get it," Violet called back, getting her toiletries ready and slipping into just Maxwell's shirt and piling her hair into a messy bun. "It's late anyways." She entered the bathroom just as Maxwell was finished spitting into the sink. She caught his eye in the mirror and saw his eyes immediately darken with lust. She smirked at him, "Getting a second wind?"

He latched his lips onto hers and hoisted her up, with her straddling him so he could comfortably carry her to the bed. "You could say something like that..."

So I'm sorry, but the waltzing scene with Hana is boring trying to learn the moves so I skipped that part a bit. Also I'm a little far behind on both RoE and TRR so hopefully this next chapter isn't missing something crazy with the future plots.

I appreciate everyone who has been reviewing and following this story. Makes me happy because I didn't think there were a lot of people who would appreciate having Violet with our favorite Maxwell. Please let me know that you are reading and what you liked/didn't like. Thanks for the support and please keep it coming!