Blake had begrudgingly changed into one of the dresses in the wardrobe. She picked the simplest one she could find. It did not suit her tastes one bit.

How am I supposed to move around in this thing? She thought to herself.

The dress was tight around the waist and chest, with loose hanging sleeves and a long skirt embroidered with white flowers. The dress fell ridiculously around her knees.

The note still hung on the door. It was written the the Duke's advisor's own handwriting.

Guest,

The Duke would welcome you to join him in his stand during the tournament. Your face will be masked and identity protected. If you wish to attend, please come to the throne room as quickly as is convenient. The door guards will show you the way.

Blake was skeptical, but willing to try anything to get close to the Sunlit Knight. She knocked on the door.

"Hello? I'm ready to be taken to the throne room."

There was a heartbeat of silence, then the door swung open. A helmeted guard bowed slightly then began walking left down the hall. A large white feather billowed from the top of his helm. Blake stepped through the door, knowing how foolish she looked in her dress. The guard led her through winding halls and they arrived before a huge set of double doors, dark wood carved with flowering vines. Two guards swung the door open, and Blake's escort left to return to his post.

Suddenly the faunus felt very much alone. She walked slowly up to the throne, her new leather shoes making no noise against the stone. Blake curtsied awkwardly.

"How are you enjoying your stay?"

"When did I stop being your prisoner?"
"When you stopped being a thief."

Blake was taken aback.

"The window was wide open, the wardrobe was clearly a secret exit, and the door lock could've easily been bypast. It's clear to me you didn't need to escape, Blake Belladonna. So tell me, what was your real mission?" The Duke had stepped down from the wooden throne and stood eye-to-eye with her.

"You have a list of the competing champions?" She said.

"Of course. There are currently eleven."

"There should be twelve."

"Whyever would that be?"

Blake closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "The Sunlit Knight."

Now it was the Duke's turn to be taken aback. "The Southern fief hasn't sent a champion to my tourney in years."

"The Sunlit Knight isn't from the south. She's from a small village: my home. We grew up there together, trained together. Our families were poor so, she joined the garrison and I took up stealing. We were inseparable. As we got older, we honed our respective crafts. She began to reprimand me for stealing and threatened to turn me in. I left. Then her little sister got very sick. The poor thing could hardly move. Her family spent all their money on remedies, but nothing could be done. It was hardly ten days ago they learned of the medicine storehouses in your very castle. It was their last hope. So, the knight entered the tourney to win the medicine, and the thief tried to steal it. The thief got caught." Blake stared at the Duke.

"This little girl. What was her condition like?"

"Nothing anyone had ever seen before. That's why I assumed only your medicine could help. I…"

The Duke put his hand up to her lips, silencing her. "Dark eyes?" He questioned. Blake nodded. "Pale skin? Fingernails blackened, and tongue turned blue?" Blake continued nodding.

"I know that sickness very well. I'm afraid my medicine will not help."

Blake could feel hot tears welling up in her eyes. "Then… Then can you help at all?"

"I cannot, but someone else can. The King. His doctors are more knowledged than mine, but King Ozpin rarely hands out favors to peasants. He knows all too well the risk of wanton generosity."

"Then I'll steal it from him!"

"No Blake; but if your Sunlit Knight can win my tourney, that would give the King an excuse to help your friend. There is yet some hope for you, little thief."

She smiled a thank you. She attempted another curtsy, better this time.

"Speaking of, I believe the tourney is about to begin. Will you accompany me to your seat?"

"I'd be happy to."

The Duke gestured at a mask lying on the arm of the throne. It was a large pink masquerade mask, with cat whiskers and ears.

"Isn't this a little much?" Blake put the mask on skeptically.

"My advisor made it especially for you." The Duke smiled and offered his arm. Blake took it and they walked to the tourney stands, looking much like a husband and wife.