The heavy breathing slowed. My heart did not slow.

The person moved around the room, once they'd closed the door, and I heard them opening and shutting the walk in wardrobe. There was the sound of the mattress- I had to assume they were looking under the bed from the sounds- and then feet heading for the bathroom door.

My heart started to thud fast and loud in my throat, so loud that I was sure they could hear it, fingers gripping the armrests of the wheelchair as every step sent my anxiety levels up, and up, and up...

The door was pushed against, gently at first, and then harder. I tried to stay rational as the handle twisted and weight was put onto the door.

"Phia, I can hear you breathing."

This voice was far too cheerful and I really honestly didn't believe it was him. Of course it wasn't Roberto. Why would he be here? It was my Father. Toying with my brain.

Something thumped against the door, the handle twisting, and the voice spoke up again. "Phiiaa... Come on, let me in."

I could barely move.

"Okay. I'll come back later."

I heard the feet stomping now, sure I was hearing them away, and suddenly the idea of Roberto leaving... if that really was him... was much too much. I unlocked the door and flung it open.

Roberto stood there, stomping on the spot, clearly very pleased with himself as he gazed down at me. His pleased look vanished pretty fast when he finally saw me and the smile slid right off his face. "Did he do that?"

"Um." I hadn't even looked at what 'that' was. "I... I..."

I wasn't going to lie about it, sure, that wasn't the issue. The issue was that I could barely believe th at I was really seeing Roberto. Here. It was dangerous here. I leaned forward to grasp his hands, needng to feel them under my hands, suddenly suffocated if I didn't prove it was him here and now. Oh my god. It felt like months. But it was the real thing. I knew these hands, those stupid life lines on his palms he'd wanted me to read just after the first time we'd had sex, before he'd read my palms. He'd wanted to see if we both had long lives ahead of us. They were the kind of markings even a body double couldn't replicate.

Roberto bent down and knelt in front of me, a hand sliding across my unbruised cheek, gazing up into my eyes. "You all right?"

"Sorry. I just had to make sure it was you." I muttered and tried to smile. Why did I feel so weak? Being weak annoyed me so much. "Robbie?"

"You called me Robbie!" Roberto's face lit up all over again despite his obvious concern over my face. He didn't grab for me, didn't make any sudden moves, and it suddenly occurred to me that he was trying to not scare me.

"Of course I did." Pride rose now and I tried to slap back the fear that'd clogged my brain. Why... why was it so different here and now? I didn't understand why I became so quiet and afraid around Father but around Roberto, it was like some part of me woke back up, like it hid everytime Father was around. "Of course I did. It's a special occasion. What... what are you doing here!"

Roberto's grin widened at that and he leaned forward, his forehead brushing against mine, the famliar affectionate gesture making my emotions suddenly get too strong to control. I grasped his arms and felt my breathing suddenly grow shallow, deep, relief flooding me. Oh good god. I missed him. He breathed in slowly, his nose bumping against mine, and responded, "Cause I couldn't breathe without knowing you were safe."

"But … you're not safe here. You have to go." I may have said the words out loud but it was pretty obvious I didn't mean them. Selfishly I … I didn't want him to go.

"We're not safe here. I'm your husband soon- we get out of problems together. Okay?"

I nodded, tears falling, and I brushed them away with my sleeve in an attempt to hide them. Pointless- Roberto was still against my forehead and he grinned up at me, but he seemed kind of wet eyed himself. I nodded and tried to smile. "Yeah. Okay. We get out of problems together. Even mad Fathers."

"Who hit their daughters?" When I didn't answer, he breathed in slowly, his eyes shutting as a hand reached up to gently touch my face. "I won't do that. You know. I won't hit them. We can have ten daughters to make up for it."

"Ten? No sons?"

"Ten of those as well. I have a big house." Roberto joked. He leaned back to stroke my face, fingers tracing the bruise, as his smile slipped off his face again.

I laughed, despite my tears, and shook my head. "Maybe not that many."

"Whatever we have, I'm happy. Already." Roberto stood up slowly, reluctantly, and looked at the door. "Okay. We've got to go. You want to get out of those Pjs?"

"Probably a good idea. But what about..."

"Don't you worry about anything. Right now we're getting dressed. Or we could spend an hour in bed-" He winked, suddenly, grinning, "-but I don't want to hit your Daddy with you there naked."

"We're not going to bed."

"Nope. I'll reclaim you soon though." Roberto's eyes lingered, suddenly, as if he was tempted to give it a go here and now anyway. He hadn't even kissed me yet and I had to assume he was concerned about whether I was too messed up.

"You can at least kiss me." I offered.

Roberto didn't hesitate, lifting me up off the wheelchair in one swoop, and kissed me hard as he held me up off the ground. He pressed smaller ones, over and over, as he carried me in his arms to the wardrobe. "I'm helping you change."

"Okay." I wasn't going to argue- I could only stand on one leg. "But no sex."

"You say that now, Phia, but I've been reading things while you were here." He winked down at me as he lowered me. "There's things I have to try."

"Oh?"

"You want a sample?"

We heard a throat clear itself behind us and I felt fear race up. Roberto squeezed my arms gently as he muttered, "It's Al. It's okay."

Alberto was there the entire time? Oh god. How embarrassing.

"Excuse my intrusion. I've locked us in." Alberto approached the wardrobe and bowed low.

Locked us in? "How will we get out?"

"Don't worry. I know all Glenny poo's secrets." Roberto closed the wardrobe door. "Keep watch, Al."

"Behave yourself, Your Highness." Alberto responded from the other side of the door, sharp suddenly, and added, "We've got no time for games."

I wasn't sure how Alberto expected Roberto to help me dress without some games, because it was impossible, the entire time I changed Roberto was torn between tickling me and helping me. I could see he was worried about my face and my leg, which had very clearly gotten swollen again, but he was hiding it as best as he could.

As I was helped into some clothing, really easy to move in clothing, Roberto explained a little more thougherly. Turned out that Prince Keith and Prince Edward were downstairs, duefully being entertained by Father and the fake Prince Glenn, but had brought 'friends'. Roberto didn't elaborate on who 'friends' were but given that he was here, I had to assume that 'friends' were people who might be helpful.

Roberto had probably tagged along invited or not.

And likewise I finally told him about last night.

"Why didn't you hit him back?" Roberto muttered, suddenly, as he stroked my sore face. "Phia- you should have hit him back. You stand up for yourself all the time- you even hit one of those women with your crutches."

"I don't know." I admitted. "I … I don't understand it." He had a good point though. Why did Father paralyse me like this?

"Your Highness-"

"Got it, Al." Roberto bent down to kiss me again, tugging the necklace off as he did, and sliding the ring off my finger. "These are Oriens jewels. You can't wear them."

"Not even if Glenn gives them to me?" I teased.

Roberto shook his head. "Nope, not till I give you jewels first."

"I don't care about jewels." I informed him. Roberto slid the jewels into his pocket. "I have you."

Roberto grinned, bending down to kiss me again and again, and it was only when Al's voice came back that he sighed and stood up. "Okay. Let's go."

I wasn't sure where we were going, given that Alberto had locked us in, but to my surprise Alberto joined us in that walk in wardrobe. He offered his arm and I took it, while Roberto went towards the back, and started to shove at the wall panels.

It took a few knocks but suddenly- the panels were moving sideways. Woah. A secret door in a castle. Alberto went ahead as he lifted a forehad flash light out of his suit pocket and clipping it to his head- a really odd look for the butler- while Roberto knelt down low.

"Okay. Onto my back."

"No! I'm heavy!"

Roberto grinned back up at me and started to back up till I was pinned between the wardrobe door, now closed, and his back. "No choice."

I sighed and flopped down onto his back. Roberto's hands carefully wrapped around my leg, so careful of the tender areas, and I slid my arms around his neck. He stood up with a teasing grunt and I whacked his head.

"Ow!" He twisted his head around to bite my neck, very gentle, a gesture that Alberto clearly avoided staring at.

"Please keep your head low, Miss Sophia, as some of these passages are not well cared for. Spiders may be inside."

Lovely. I rested my head against Roberto's shoulder, face against his face, and this close I could feel our hearts both beating, both a little fast, his hands squeezing my legs every now and then as we moved through the dark passage ways. Alberto led the way in his light suit, Roberto muttering directions if Alberto was unsure, and before I knew it we were heading down a narrow staircase that twisted around in a spiral several times.

Sometimes, through these passages, we heard the muffled sound of voices, but it was quite rare. More often it was the squeak of mice or shuffle of something larger- we even saw a cat at point point, a startled looking creature that fled as soon as Alberto got close enough with the light.

I wasn't even sure where we were going- we went down another staircase after a short walk, and then we walked along a slow winding set of passages that were mazelike. Before I knew it we were in a room, a small fairly comfortable looking room, with a apron-clad butler dusting away as if his life depended on it. Not only that- there were also a couple of bodyguards who were obvious in suits and with guns.

"Is that..."

"Louis." Roberto responded softly. "And these two are my guards. You can trust them."

They both bowed low, one a little older than the other, one slender and middle aged and the other bulky but young. A funny pair, really, and both moved to stand outside the room to guard the entrance.

Plus Prince Edward's butler. Louis turned and bowed, apron and duster still on, some smudged on his face.

He seemed a bit startled by my face and I wondered how bad it actually was. I should have gotten some makeup. Louis excused himself, leaving behind apron and duster, as Roberto helped me down onto the couch and I sighed, shutting my eyes, feeling for the first time in ages that I really was safe.

"I found these passages when I used to visit as a child." Roberto flopped down onto the couch beside me. "We made it our secret room from the butlers."

"You thought you did. We knew about it." Alberto corrected him. He took up the duster and the apron as he examined the room. "It's not finished."

"I think he thought we wanted private time." Roberto responded, giving Alberto a look suddenly, a look that Alberto clearly decided to ignore.

"Indeed we do." Alberto slid the apron over his head. "I imagine we can use this time to better prepare Miss Sophia for her duties."

"Or I could prepare her for what it means to be a wife." Roberto's voice rose a fraction.

"You'll do no such thing while I'm here."

"Exactly!" Roberto responded quickly. "While you're here."

While they bantered, I gazed around, just letting myself slowly relax. The room itself was modern, couches, a small table with chairs around it, books in one corner, some of them ancient children's books. There were even a few children's boardgames in here, toys long forgotten in a box at the bottom of the bookcase, and I could see the Princes all gathered here so sure that they had 'escaped' for an hour or two.

To my amusement, though, I could see more books on etiquette, customs and Kingdom history than anything else. Either that was what they did for fun... or the butlers had been trying to get them to read more. Either was possible.

"Miss Sophia?" Alberto was talking to me. I blinked, surprised, as he approached. Had he asked me something?

"Sorry." I muttered and smiled faintly. "I guess I'm relaxing."

Alberto, whatever he'd been going to ask me, clearly changed his mind. His face softened into a gentle frown and he looked away, suddenly, deciding, "Ah. Yes- you must have been not resting well."

"Not really. But it's okay. What did you want to ask?"

"I was merely going to suggest you read this-" He held out a book, reluctant now, as Roberto tried to bat it away, "-as we may be here some time."

I took the book and opened the heavy cover. History of Alteria. Roberto muttered something under his breath but … actually, I'd already read it. "I remember this book."

"You do?"

"She's an archeologist." Roberto announceed. He seemed pleased by Alberto's reaction. "And she wants to be a history teacher."

"Really, Miss Sophia? That's wonderful." Alberto seemed to genuinely mean it too. He held out a second book all of a sudden, out of no where, and added, "If you've read that, then a review of it cannot hurt, followed by these books..."

Etiquette for Ladies and Lords.

Histories of the Six Kingdoms.

Good Manners for the Good Lord and Lady.

A child's book of Facts- Alteria.

Proper Pronunciation for a Proper Upbringing.

Royal Weddings- the customs, symbolism and famous figures from history.

"Excuse me for suggesting it, as I know you're tired, but with the wedding coming up it may be helpful to start early as to avoid overwhelming yourself." Alberto bowed again.

"No, you're right." He was. I stared at the small pile of thick older books. "I do need to... read more." Studying for my own marriage. I still hadn't gotten used to the idea of being married so quickly yet. Etiquette... was probably a good one. They all were. "I guess I'll be here a while..."

"The bathroom is in Prince Edward's room." Roberto added. "I'll show you when you want to know. It's closest and safest."

"So we're here all day?"

"I think so." Roberto frowned. "It depends."

"On what?"

"On the engagement party. Glenn doesn't want anyone announced as his bride, if possible, but it's important to deal with your Father safely and … and the rest of us agreed that if it took several days, then..." Roberto sighed. "We've got to do it as fast as possible. Maybe if we can prevent an announcement tonight."

"Can Glenn cancel an engagement?"

"Not without difficulty." Roberto admitted. "You were his fiancee, remember? So that's already one cancelled wedding for Oriens."

Oh. I had forgotten that. It had been so sudden, this TV station announcing it, that I'd barely thought about it. "Oh..."

"The public might be able to buy that it was a mistake with you." Roberto explained. "If he has to do that a second time it might cause problems."

"I guess so."

"Anyway." Roberto squeezed my hand. "You and I are leaving by tomorrow night, if it takes longer, so don't worry."

"We made an agreement with Prince Roberto's father to ensure his safety first." Alberto added. He was now dusting, to my amusement, fussing over the room. "As well as your safety."

Roberto nodded, sighing softly, and for a moment I did see real genuine concern. "We want to do it without anyone getting hurt." He leaned his head against my shoulder. "Anyone else. If it can't be done that way then we have to leave, all of us Princes, leaving ...well, our staff."

So, the butlers? Bodyguards? I wondered what they'd put into place. Private assassins? I wasn't sure.

"I'll tell you more when you're safe." Roberto added. He yanked the book out of my hands and tossed it onto a coffee table. "We're not leaving you behind."

"What about the King and Queen?"

"We know their location." Alberto responded. He smiled suddenly. "You were seen- in fact, it was quite difficult to keep Roberto still once we'd seen you in the garden."

"Mm, I saw you." Roberto agreed. He slid a hand slowly up my side. "Cleaning. So Alberto agreed to sneak up and see what you were doing, because if he didn't, then I'd..."

"It was the wrong time." Alberto cut in. "But we know their location. They are also aware that we are here. I left them a message with the food."

The food? Woah, hang on. The food in the kitchen with the sauce message and symbol. "That was you?"

"Of course." Alberto responded. "Did you not reconies the flowers for hope and protection?"

"...No?" Wow. Butlers knew everything.

I was offered another book, one about flower symbolism, which Roberto did his best to grab at. Alberto sidestepped his grab and offered it to me. "Then perhaps this book as well."

"I'll study hard." I promiced as I stared at the pile of books.

"Not too hard today." Roberto corrected. "She's been stressed. Let her nap and recover!"

"Miss Sophia can decide what is best for her today, I think, I am merely offering some suggestions." Alberto added, softer, "But should you wish some rest, there are blankets and pillows in that box, which I will set up for you on the other couch, and I will bring you some food for lunch and dinner. So you may decide what you feel is right, knowing that in our hands you are perfectly safe."

"Thank you." I responded. I knew he wasn't lying- I could feel it. Maybe he was overdoing the study material, sort of, but... it was clear that Alberto was there for me as much as Roberto was. Like an uncle. A very protective uncle in an apron. Who was probably also hanging around so that we didn't get naked.

Though, given that this was probably going to be a room used by more people than us today, I supposed that wasn't such an unreasonable thing to want to avoid.

"Now, I'll set up a bed for you, finish dusting, and then keep watch."

"I should probably sleep." I agreed as I yawned. "I can go to sleep reading."

"I'll set it up." Roberto stood up. "Her bed."

Alberto nodded.

Suddenly my eyes were moist again. It was kind of emotional to be cared for like this, to be so at ease even with my Father so close, and I felt deep down... I jut knew... it was going to be okay. I drifted to sleep, watching the two of them work, finally at ease inside myself. However odd it was to belong with these two, my lover and my 'uncle', I belonged. It was a nice feeling.