The next morning was unpleasant to say the least. When Louise pulled back my bed curtains and tried to urge me to get up, I simply could not. I turned my back to her, and asked her to leave me. She did try to coerce me, mentioning all the fine things that had been prepared for breakfast and how the trial was sure to be very entertaining after yesterday's events. I buried my face in my pillow. "I'm not hungry Louise, can you please just let me be?"

"But Miss Dalian, the court. Everyone will be waiting"

"Damn the court and everyone there." I lifted my head, glaring. "I don't want to order you Louise, but I will."

She hesitated a moment before bobbing a curtsey. "Yes, Miss Dalian." The door closed behind her with a satisfying noise, and I pulled the curtains around me again. The last thing I wanted was to face anyone after last night. God, how could I have been so stupid? Peggy was right, I should have been stronger. I should have been better. I should have kept myself to the highest standards, hell I never should have let Will into my bed.

I shut my eyes, hoping to sleep the day away. The night before had not been restful, I'd spent most of it crying out of shame into my blankets. Rigel had wandered over to Will's rooms, which meant I had been truly alone. I was considering going to get Rigel when my curtains opened again, Peggy peering in. "Miss Anastasia, you need to come down to breakfast. Your mother is getting concerned."

"I'm not hungry." I repeated, trying the same tactic I had used on Louise. "I just want to sleep."

"Don't let what happened last night affect you today." Peggy shifted one of the curtains to the side, allowing her to sit on the bed and reach out for my shoulder. "It is simply something that needed to be fixed. And it has been. Now, come along. I saw an entire plate of waffles waiting for you.""

"I don't want waffles." I pulled away from her hand. "Could you just bring Rigel in? I'm not feeling well."

She sniffed. "Miss Anastasia, if this is you throwing a snit it's not going to work. Mr. Murdoch has sworn to stay to his own bed until your wedding night, and you know I won't let it through on this point."

"It's not a snit." I closed my eyes, pressing my head farther into the pillow. "I really don't feel well. I think it was the fainting yesterday. Could you please just get Rigel? Please, Peggy?" She sighed, rising and closing the curtains again. I tried to calm myself, but a few tears dotted my pillowcase. I didn't deserve waffles and bacon, I barely deserved Rigel. I deserved to sit here, in the dark, and think about how horrible I had acted.

The next time the door opened, the first thing I heard was claws clicking on the floor. It was followed by two pairs of footsteps, but Rigel reached me first. He shoved his nose through the hanging, pushed his way in and up onto the bed, and then set to licking me. I snorted a bit, pulling him closer and wrapping my arms around him. The curtains were pulled completely aside, revealing Mother and Will looking down at me. Mother leaned over, "Anastasia, we need to get going or we're going to be late."

I couldn't even look at her, "I don't think I will be going today. I feel horrible."

"Don't let that Dyer get to you." Mother sat down on the bed, even reaching over to scratch Rigel. "You know everything he said was a lie."

I saw Will flinch at that, and I felt a twist in my stomach. "I know Mother, but really, I don't think I could get out of bed today."

"Hmm," She reached out, placing her hands on either side of my face. "You are rather pale, I suppose we could stay home and send word to them. Will you at least eat something?"

"I'm not hungry." I dropped my gaze. "Just tired."

"Do you think your monthly is coming on? That could be causing it."

"No, it's not that."

Her brow knitted. "Would you like William to stay and read to you until you fall asleep?"

"I should be going to the court, it would be better for the message to come to me." Will shifted on his feet. "The Links would probably like to see that in the papers."

"I'm sure they would." I tried to give him a smile, but it just wouldn't come. "Be careful?"

"Always." He nodded to me, stepping out. I wound my arms tighter around Rigel, burying my face in his hair. I tried to focus on him, on his smell and the way I could feel him twist to try and get and my face and lick me. Mother began to draw her fingers through my hair, untangling it and smoothing it out.

Her voice was soft. "Did you two quarrel? You seemed so happy last night."

"It was stupid." I pressed my face to Rigel's shoulder. "I was stupid. And what happened in court yesterday isn't helping."

Mother shooed Rigel, pulling me to her shoulder. "Your father and I fought, you know. There were times he had to sleep down at the offices, but we still loved each other. William still loves you, even if you two fought."

"I know." I heard a couple of their fights. "But I still feel horrible after what I did."

"Have you apologized to him?"

"I haven't had the chance to."

"When he gets back from court, I'll send him up. The longer you let it go on, the worse it will be." She gave me a squeeze though, "Oscar set off to go get Liz, he thinks you need a friend right now. And Ezekiel went to get someone for you too. Or perhaps it's for Liz."

"I take it James is in town?"

"Exactly." She brushed her hand up and down my arm. "Should we try and set up something romantic for those two? Perhaps some chocolate?"

"I don't know." I shrugged. "It might upset them."

"Chocolate has never upset anyone in history." Mother snorted, "And in fact, you are going to get up, go downstairs, and sample some so we can make sure to put out the best for them." She actually pulled me up out of bed, wrapping my dressing gown around me and herding me down to the kitchen. A wide selection of chocolates had been set out, dark and light, some filled with liquors that seemed to melt on the tongue. She looked down at all of them as we came in. "I think a selection of five flavors would be sufficient." She looked to the cook. "Make sure that she eats at least ten of them, and don't let her refuse anything."

Under the watchful eye of our cook, Mrs. Vangerten, I dutifully sampled a dozen different chocolates, selecting some to be placed on a tray and sent up to the parlor. Rigel sat patiently by the door as I did so, panting as he sniffed at the air. I sighed, "I think that should be enough. Perhaps some hot chocolate to go with?"

"I can send up a pot, Miss." She nodded to a maid, who set to warming a pot of milk. "But if you would eat a little more? I made some cinnamon sugar toast after hearing you were poorly. You have always liked that." She proffered a plate of bread, covered in butter and glistening with sugar. "For me, Miss?"

I took it, grabbing a slice of it and nibbling. It was still as good as it had been when I was a child, sweet and buttery and comforting. I sighed around it. "This is truly unfair, you know?"

"Now Miss, after what's been happening you need all the strength you can get." She smiled as I settled onto a stool, tearing into another slice and throwing Rigel a bit of crust. "And you get that from food. Now, for dinner tonight, I was thinking a roast and vegetables. Perhaps some ice cream for dessert?" I could only nod at that, my mouth full of the toast. God, why was it so good? Mrs. Vangerten kept up a chatter as she shuffled around, pulling out the vegetables to begin slicing and go into the oven. I felt rather stuffed as I followed the maid with the hot chocolate up to the parlor with Rigel by my side, and another maid behind us with the plate of chocolates.

"Thank you, both." I nodded to them, reaching for a cup to pour myself a cup only stopping when the parlor door opened.

Mrs. Vangerten, a bit red from the rush, quickly set down a small bowl. "Whipped cream, Miss. For the chocolate."

"Thank you." I smiled at her, sipping my chocolate after topping it with the cream. "I've never had better." The three of them headed out, leaving me to drink my chocolate and wait for the others to return.

And worry about what I would say to Will when he returned.

First, I would apologize for my actions last night. If I hadn't demanded him to bed me, we could still share my bed. I should have just accepted the comfort that he offered and not pushed for more. Then I would tell him how upset I was to lose his company at night, but that perhaps it was for the best. My feelings and thoughts were obviously unsettled at the moment, and until they settled we should avoid any intense situations like that. Perhaps I could joke about taking Rigel back into my bed, he might find that funny.

"Oh Anastasia, it's just awful what that lawyer said!" Liz burst into the parlor in a flurry of green, quickly sweeping me up in her arms and squeezing me tight. "Of course you should stay home, you shouldn't even go back until he's dismissed!" She whirled to Oscar. "Can't you get him disbarred or something?"

He shrugged, sitting down and popping a chocolate in his mouth. "He's already being charged with contempt, and what he did technically wasn't illegal. Just overly aggressive and broke court etiquette, it's not like he struck her."

Liz raised her brows, looking to me. "Would you let him, just to get him gone?"

I couldn't help the snort that came out. "I've still got one bruise, perhaps we should let that one fade first?"

"You're right, you're right." She sat next to me. "In fact we won't talk about it at all, let's talk about the wedding. Is your dress finished?"

"Yes, almost." I smiled, thinking of how Paul had spent what seemed like hours tucking the bodice to fit as close as it could. "Mr. Hunt wants to adjust the neckline, he thinks we can fit more pearls on it."

"Any diamonds?" Liz's grin was infectious. "Just to show up Her Highness?"

I shook my head. "No, just pearls. I enjoy them more." I let Liz fuss over me for awhile, she was very concerned about my hair and upon hearing that I would only be wearing a golden net, studded with pearls and held on by silk clusters of orange blossoms, affected a faint. I laughed, truly laughed. "What would you have me do? Have all my hair braided on top of my head?"

"No!" She moaned from her false faint. "But something with volume, or feathers. You love feathers."

"You're wearing your sapphires, right?" Oscar grinned at his sister's act. I nodded, and he steepled his fingers. "Then you'll have your tiara to wear." Liz kept her faint up, muttering something about sapphires needing to be the exact right hue. I was smiling at her when the door opened again, Ezekiel and James stepping through. I immediately brought my finger to my lips, begging them to be silent. I got up from the settee, gesturing for James to take my seat while I moved over to the chair by Oscar. Ezekiel shook his head, smiling widely as he reached over and popped a chocolate into his mouth.

I kept my voice light. "Oh, I think my sapphires will work. In fact, I have one of the pieces with me at the moment. Liz, take a look at it will you?"

The thought of jewelry had her eyes popped open in an instant, although when she sat up instead of a bracelet she saw James. A grin split her face, and she threw her arms around him. "Oh James, I had no idea you were back!"

He held her close. "I've only been in since last night, but Ezekiel told me I was needed here." I could see the smile on his face. "He neglected to mention you would be here, though."

Ezekiel shrugged, reaching over for another chocolate. "Didn't know you'd care, my God Ana, cherry cordial chocolates?"

"Those are for everyone." I rolled my eyes as I smacked his hand away from the plate. "And they've been courting for awhile now."

"You couldn't send her my way?" Ezekiel pulled his hand back, acting affronted. "I'd love to live a life of leisure."

"Fields," Oscar leaned over, raising an eyebrow. "That is my sister, you know."

He raised his hands in surrender. "Alright, alright. Do you have another?" I couldn't help but laugh at that as James and Liz finally pulled apart and began to speak quietly to each other. It felt good to see the two of them so obviously falling for each other, the way James didn't let go of her hand the entire time. Ezekiel must have noticed my mood for he reached over, tugging at my hair. "Feeling better, Annie?"

"Somewhat." I admitted, "Although not completely."

He snorted. "Will should be back soon, I'm sure he can put you in a good mood." He must have noticed me furrow my brows, for his voice dropped. "Did he do something to hurt you? You can tell me."

"And me." Oscar reached over, patting my hand.

I shook my head. "Just a little spat, that's all. We just need to talk."

"When Mother says that, Father never leaves the ship." Ezekiel murmured, "Should I go give him a warning?"

Oscar turned on him. "That is entirely unnecessary, people have to have discussions about certain things. Not everything causes a fight." He must have noticed me curling in on myself because he gave my hand a squeeze. "Just be honest with him, the two of you have been through far worse."

"That's an understatement." Ezekiel snorted, but he did pat my shoulder. "You'll be fine." I tried to take some comfort from their words, and I was sure that we would be fine. It still didn't mean I wasn't dreading it. It seemed all too soon Will was coming into the parlor, his hat still in his hand as he shook James's hand and greeted Liz. Ezekiel pounced soon after. "So how was the court today?"

"It was fine." Will shrugged, smiling at me. I felt my heart rise a little at that. "They're motioning for Ana to be excused from the rest of the trial until deliberations are finished, they'll be sending a doctor to asses her tomorrow and offer his opinion." He knelt down by my chair, putting a hassock under his knees. "Are you feeling better?"

I couldn't help but smile as Oscar gently pulled his hand from mine, letting Will grasp it. "Yes, although I would like to talk to you in private."

"The library?" He squeezed my hand, helping me to my feet. Will nodded to the others. "If you'll excuse us."

"Of course." Oscar bowed his head, and Ezekiel nodded. James and Liz were so caught up in each other that they didn't even notice as we left.

Will kept pace with me on the stairs, not rushing me at all. "Have you eaten?"

"Yes, some breakfast." I gripped his arm a little tighter. "And some chocolates."

He chuckled. "How healthy." He opened the door to the library, letting me go in before closing it. I chose a chair, gesturing for him to take the one next to me. He did, reaching over for my hand. "Ana, for what happened-"

"Will," I cut him off, squeeing his hand. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have pressed."

"I wouldn't have considered it, but I haven't seen you like that in so long."

I sighed, "I didn't dream of the sinking, Will." I could see the puzzled look on his face, the way his brows furrowed. "I dreamt that Perry had taken me, that he had offered me up to Mr. Reichster. That's why I flinched away when you reached for me."

"Dear God." He moved his chair closer to me, his hand curling around my shoulder. "It's no wonder you wanted what you did."

"I just wanted to forget." I shook my head, "And I made a mistake. I'm sorry for what I did, and I'm sorry that we're forbidden from each other at night for awhile."

"Perhaps it's for the best." Will snorted, "Last night, God Ana, the things I would have done to you."

"No poetry, not until the wedding."

"I'll be in agony until then." He stood, drawing me up and wrapping his arms around me. I did the same, clutching his shoulders close and closing my eyes. All I wanted was to simply take comfort in his presence, in his arms. I felt him kiss my cheek, "I hope I'll still be allowed this."

"I'd allow you so much more." I whispered into his chest. "And I will, once we're married."

He laughed, pulling back to look at me. "Temptress."

"Only for you." I rested my hands on his chest, smiling at him. My stomach finally felt light, not twisted up with anticipation and guilt. The position we were in was innocent enough that I didn't jump away from him when Peggy opened the door. I looked to her. "Yes?"

"Duchess Metternich is downstairs, Miss." Peggy looked exhausted. "I tried to tell her that we weren't accepting visitors at the moment, but she refused to believe me since she had seen Mr. Vanderbilt's car from the road. I couldn't stop her, she's in the parlor right now."

Will's hands tightened on me. "Is she alone?"

"Yes, Mr. Murdoch." Peggy nodded. "Mr. Vanderbilt is entertaining her at the moment, but she might like some assistance." She glanced to my dressing gown. "You'll need to change, Miss." I sighed, disentangling myself from Will and moving down to my rooms. Louise was already prepared, a tea gown out and ready. I had to admit that it felt rather good to pull on an actual gown and have my hair brushed out. Louise quickly had it twisted atop my head, giving me a brief dusting of rose water perfume before I was ready to head down. I steeled myself as best I could before opening the door to the parlor, pasting a polite smile on my face. I wound up holding it open after hearing a scrabble of claws on wood, Rigel worming his way in behind me.

"Anastasia!" Sophie, sat beside Oscar who was looking decidedly strained, rose up and rushed over. "Oh how are you? Yesterday must have been so terrible."

I endured the way she lightly embraced me, and ignored Rigel giving a slight growl. "It was not pleasant." I went over and sat beside Will. More chairs had been brought, enough for Ezekiel, Will and I to take up the empty sides of the low table. It had been freshly set with a pot of tea in our fine porcelain, hastily whipped together treats spread across various plates. I reached for the pot. "Shall I pour for you, Your Highness?"

"Oh, yes please." She fluttered her hands, her eyes sliding away from the bruise on my face. "But you must tell me, what has it been like? I read the papers every morning, all of them! I look for every article I can find about the trial."

Oscar shrugged as I handed her her tea. "I don't suppose you can really know unless you've been there."

"Of course!" Sophie remarked after sipping her tea. "You have been her constant companions, haven't you?" She looked from him to Will and Ezekiel. "Such gallant knight does she have."

"I have the good fortune to have good friends." I demurred, trying to ignore the way Ezekiel was starting to preen. Considering the way Sophie was smiling at him she must have thought it was genuine, and not Ezekiel trying to get a rise out of all of us. I did my best to ignore him. "Good friends are always a comfort during trouble times."

"Indeed." She looked away for a moment. "I have found that I am missing quite a few of those lately."

"Homesick?" Oscar took his own cup of tea. "I'm sure they'd love a visit from you."

"Yes, well, Berlin and Hamburg seem so far away sometimes." She shook her head, seeming to clear away her thoughts and replace them with a smile. "But I have made so many friends here and my friends from Germany will be here soon enough." She reached over for my hand, and I let her take it. "I hope that you are one of them?"

I barely stopped my jaw from dropping open. "I'm honor that Her Highness considers me so."

"Of course you are!" She squeezed my hand, and I felt Will take my other. "Although, I am so sorry about Henry. He has been so out of sorts lately." She cast her eyes heavenward. "He and Zaza have been fighting over something, and I fear the strain was too much for him. I am terribly sorry that he let that loose on you."

"It was cruel." Liz snapped from across the table. "He knew she was going to go through a hard day."

James reached for her, "Miss Anastasia is very strong though, she did well."

"She fainted!" Liz glanced to him. "And I have no doubt he's to cause for it."

Sophie flapped her hands. "Forgive me, forgive me, it's my fault for bringing up a tender subject." She picked up a spoon, stirring in some more sugar to her tea. "Perhaps onto something happier. Your wedding, Anastasia, you've decided on colors?"

"Yes," I reached out for a tray of cookies. "Peach and forget-me-not blue. Yours?"

"Silver and gold." She sighed, a dreamy look on her face. "Rather classical, but I do enjoy it so."

I let my hand brush up against Rigel's head, scratching him. "Silver dresses?"

"Gold!" She almost clapped her hands. "Cloth of gold with silver bows. And yours?"

"Peach silk chiffon with a blue sash." Liz almost wrinkled her nose at Sophie's description. "I've arranged for them all."

"Well, bridesmaids dresses are all well and good." Sophie smiled, "But the wedding gown is truly the star of the show. Have you had your finished yet?"

"It is almost done."

"Any details you care to share?" She reached across, brushing her fingers across Rigel's head as she tried to take my hand again. He raised his hackles, making her draw her hand back. "I haven't heard anything, it hasn't been in any of the papers!"

"It's a surprise." I stroked Rigel's head, calming him. "We're planning to take a portrait for the papers once this," I drew my other hand across my bruise. "Fades."

She almost flinched. "Oh yes, I do hope it isn't too painful."

"It's been getting better. But your dress, Your Highness, I've heard something about a French house?"

She blushed a bit, a perfect pink staining ivory skin. "Well, my late mother would have wanted it that way."

I blinked, "Oh, I'm sorry. I wasn't aware."

"She passed when I was young, and my father not long after." She shrugged. "I barely remember them, but I know they wanted me to have the best. And my brothers have always indulged me."

"Your brothers," Will spoke up, "Will they be attending?"

"Yes, even Johann will be coming." Her smile actually appeared genuine. "He so rarely leaves the castle, and he'll be bringing Marta with him. Oh, and I've already told Otto to be on his best behavior." She shook her head. "He was so rude last time, I should have come over to offer my apologies for him." She batted her eyelashes at Will. "Please, be patient with him. He's always been rather hot headed and proud."

"I shall try." Will managed to bite it out. "Although perhaps it would be best if we tried to avoid each other."

Oscar leaned back in his chair, nibbling on a finger sandwich. "Come now William, I'm sure that the two of you could entertain all of us with your debates."

"That does sound lovely." Sophie stopped as the clock began to chime. "Oh dear, that's the time. I must be going, but thank you for all of this and I hope everything goes well for you in this." She rose, sweeping from the room as quickly as she seemed to have come.

The fact that all us decided to leave the tea for something stronger said all that we needed to.