Chapter Four:

It was late afternoon when Ange finally bid her goodbye to her friends. After several promises to come again soon and teasing threats, made by Liam-kun, of noogies if she didn't, she once again was seated behind Eryn on the bike.

"I'm glad you could stop by," Eryn said happily as they exited the oak grove.

"I am too. I'll try and come again soon," Ange said. All too soon, the ride to the inn was finished and Eryn helped her off of the motorcycle.

"You sure you don't want me to take you home?" Eryn asked. Ange reassured her that it was fine and that she enjoyed the short walk home.

"I'll see you soon! Ciao, Ange-chan," Eryn said as she turned in the opposite direction. Ange waved at her friend's retreating form and waited until Eryn had turned the corner before she headed off into the field.

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Ange plopped tiredly onto her bed. Although she had been gone almost the whole day, due to the time difference it had only been a few hours in the Sanctuary since her departure. She decided that a short nap was the best course of action. She slid her backpack from her shoulders and let it thump lightly on the floor as she kicked off her shoes and set her watch alarm for 2 hours.

"A little nap and I'll be rested and no one will be the wiser," she said sliding beneath the covers. As her head sunk thankfully into the pillow, Ange couldn't help but feel a thrill of accomplishment. She felt like a spy what with her sneaking about. She giggled lightly then curled up slightly and let her eyelids float shut. Within seconds she was asleep.

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When Ange had awoken it had been a little after lunch time. An apple and a honey roll from the kitchen had taken care of her light hunger, since she had already eaten breakfast at Eryn's. She felt a bit more refreshed than earlier as she sat on the dock of the lake that encompassed a small portion of the Sanctuary.

"Yo, Ange-chan," a bright and vibrant voice said to her left. She turned and smiled at Olivie-sama as he walked toward her. He was dressed in his casual attire today, which was composed of a flowing white gown with a slit up one side and a red sash tied at his waist. A portion of his gold and red hair was pulled back into a horsetail away from his face and gold hoops dangled lightly from his ears. His red heels clicked against the stone path that led to the deck Ange was seated on. He smiled down at her waving jovially.

"Hello, Olivie-sama! What brings you out here?" she asked smiling up at him.

"You missed lunch and I was worried. You're not one to skip a meal, Ange-chan," he grinned mischievously at her as he sat in the wooden deck chair that was next to hers. Ange batted his arm playfully and chuckled.

"I was just a little tired so I slept in. It was nice," she said genuinely. The nap had done wonders.

"Ah! Getting your beauty sleep? You are in no need of it let me assure you," he said his grin warming lightly. She smiled and thanked him. Olivie-sama always had a way of making her smile. He had a tendency to brighten up a room when he entered. It was one of the things she admired about him.

"Well, naps aside," he winked at her, "I also came out here to tell you about the latest news!" He literally bubbled with enthusiasm as he announced this and Ange couldn't help but find herself drawn in by his exuberance.

"What news?" she asked leaning closer.

"Well!" he started seemingly readying himself for the juicy gossip, "As you know, Victor and Oscar talked to the head of the Mikelos Clan when they were in town."

Ange nodded grinning as she remembered the little adventure.

"The Mikelos Clan head just spoke with both of Her Majesty's and he and his family have agreed to help us out. Supposedly, the three of them talked for quite a while and decided on the best thing to do. And tomorrow Their Majesty's are going to announce what that plan is and, here is the exciting part, the Mikelos Clan are going to be here tomorrow!"

Ange blinked in surprise. That was fast, she thought.

"Exciting, ne?" Olivie-sama stated moving a rouge curl from his face.

Ange nodded, "Very. I can't believe it was resolved so quickly."

"That's what I thought, but evidently the Clan already had some insight into the problem," he said leaning a bit closer.

"What do you mean?" she asked inquisitive.

"Supposedly, they had already sensed the trouble when it occurred. That and I heard that they have friends inside the Royal Research Institute. That's probably how they found out as much as they did," he supplied lowering his voice.

Ange blinked again and then shook her head. They had friends inside the Institute? How could Queen Limoges or Queen Collet not have known? The Royal Research Institute was located in the Sanctuary which thereby hid it from the Main Planet. They only way the Clan could have known the right channels to go through to be in contact with the Institute would have been to have actually been there at one time. Could one of the members have worked there? Ange sighed and leaned back in her chair. The more she learned about the Mikelos Clan, the more questions starting popping up.

"Well," she said thoughtfully, "at least we will get to meet them tomorrow. Talking to them might help clear some things up. I wonder what the decision was?"

Olivie-sama shrugged and made a gesture with his hands, "No idea. But we have tomorrow to look forward to." He stood and brushed his hands over the fabric of the gown, dispelling some unseen wrinkles then flipped his hair over his shoulder.

"Now then," he said offering her his arm with a grin, "I believe Mel-chan and Timka-chan were anxious to see you after your harrowing experience the other day. Shall we away?"

Ange giggled and nodded and took his pro-offered arm. As they walked away from the lake, Olivie-sama was talking animatedly about how the two young Guardians had inquired after her. Ange only half listened. Her head was whirling with the questions left unanswered. With a slight sigh of defeat she gave herself and mental shake and tuned back in to Olivie-sama's words. Worrying over something she didn't have the answers to wouldn't help anything. She'd just have to wait and see.

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Queen Limoge's eyes skimmed over the report that Amy, a member of the Research Institute had just given her.

"The disturbance was only slight but I had been inspecting the shield in that area for routine maintenance around the time it occurred. These are the images our satellites procured for that quadrant," she was saying making a slight gesture toward the photographs tucked behind the report the Queen held. Queen Limoges pulled out the pictures and studied them with a small smile.

"What do you wish me to do, Your Majesty?" Amy asked her uncomfortable-ness with the situation obvious.

"Nothing," Queen Limoges smiled brightly as she closed the folder once more and handed it back to Amy.

"Your Majesty?" Amy asked taking the papers hesitantly.

"I'm aware of what her intent was. And it is perfectly fine," the Queen said smiling warmly back at the confused woman, "Haven't you ever snuck out without your guardians' permission?"

Amy grinned sheepishly back at her but nodded. Bowing she left and headed back to the Institute. Queen Limoges watched as she left.

"Besides," she murmured to herself, "She is helping quite a bit more than she knows." Giggling lightly she turned and headed back toward her room.