The new day dawned with Kurt yawning and stretching his arms. He sat up, looking around him. He had slept very well – no wolf howling to keep him awake. He glanced around the room, seeing Puck was already there, standing in the doorway.

“Good morning, my Prince,” he greeted Kurt. Kurt nodded back, sitting on the side of his bed.

“Morning, Puck. What are these?” Kurt asked, nodding towards the raiments laid out on the bench. There were golden brown leggings, a soft camel-wool shirt, and a brocade tunic with bronze-colored embroidery and gemstones sewn around the collar. Beside these were some pieces of jewelry and a belt.

“The King asked that you dress in these. The festival is today, my lord. Didnt you remember?” Puck asked. He sat in his usual chair, scuffing his boots on the floor and wringing his hands. His nerves were palpable and Kurt picked up the anxiety.

“Oh, yes. Of course I remember. Thank you for bringing my clothes,” Kurt said, swinging his legs off the bed. He got up and began his morning washing, then put on the clothes with Pucks help.

“Okay, out with it, Puck. You looked like someone drowned your dog. Whats wrong?” Kurt asked, feeling a bit sorry for their unpleasant conversation last night.

“Its just that I thought you trusted me, my Prince. But after last night? I know you were in the forest, which means you were with that boy because you were seen with that huge wolf following you back from the woods. It was his wolf, wasnt it?” Puck let out in a tumble. He sat quietly again, waiting for Kurts temper to flare.

Kurt walked over to the door, opening the heavy oak and looked up and down the hallway to confirm they were alone.

“Yes, Puck – I was. But its water under the bridge now. I cannot take it back and I dont even regret it. The only thing I regret is that I wasnt completely honest with you. Okay?” Prince Kurt said in a very sober voice. In the light of day his mind went to his training, to being safe at all times. He briefly pondered what could have happened if Blaine was not the man Kurt thought he was, but the feel of Blaines lips on his mouth and Blaines touch on his skin were still there, echoes of the pleasure hed felt.

“Oh, youve got it bad, dont you?” Puck said, but it wasnt really a question. He rolled his eyes at Kurt and heaved a great sigh. “Just dont do anything that foolish again. If you do, Im going to have to tell your father. Dont force me into that.”

Kurt didnt answer, he just walked over to his guard and leaned his head against Pucks big shoulder and Pucks arms went around him automatically. He kissed Kurts bent head and gave him a squeeze, then turned to leave.

“Thank you, Puck,” Kurt whispered, his eyes closed for a moment.

“You look so beautiful this morning, Rachel,” King Burtram said to his daughter in an encouraging tone. She gave him a half-smile and sat down.

“How soon before Im to be paraded in front of the crowd of suitors to see who has the highest bid?” the Princess asked. She fiddled with the toasted bread on her plate and then took up her spoon to eat the porridge in her bowl.

“Please dont think of it as that, my dear,” her father said, a sad look upon his face. He did feel badly about the fate of his children. He knew Rachel was angry, but she had known her fate from a very early age. The girl knew the rules and laws that everyone lived by and Burt had hoped she would have made peace with it by now.

“How else should I think of it?” she asked, giving her father a stern look. “I am more tied to slavery than the lowest peasant in the kingdom. This is so unfair...” she mumbled.

Kurt leaned over and took her hand, bringing it to his cheek. He loved his sister beyond reason, but could offer her no solace. His own fate was not one he aspired to, either.

“I know, Rachel. When I am King, which I pray is many long years from now, I will not marry. You can be my queen and bring forth the Heir with whomever you fall in love with. Then I might be free to marry whom I wish, too.” Kurt said, reciting the plan they had plotted as younger children. At least it made the princess laugh.

“You know that cannot happen, dont you?” Burt said, reluctant to throw water on their plan, but they had to give up that dream and the sooner the better.

“Yes, Father, we know,” the prince said, turning to his own breakfast. He sighed and took a napkin to wipe his face. He reached for his cup to drink the mead they usually had for breakfast.

The Queen, Arianne, smiled at Rachel. “It is not a bad life, daughter. I am very happy and am looking forward to giving the King another son.”

Rachel patted her hand as if she were slow-witted. “Thank you, my queen.” She didnt dislike her step mother, she just pitied her that she was content with being a brood-mare to appease ancient laws that made no sense to the princess.

Breakfast was interrupted by a page, entering the dining hall and rushing over to the king. He tripped on a tapestry rug but caught himself and knelt before the king.

“Your Majesty, the first visitors are here for the Festival,” the young boy said, his head bowed.

“Thank you. We will receive them in the Hall as soon as the tables are cleared. Please see that they are offered hospitality,” King Burtram said, then clapped his hands and the servants came to clear the tables and to bring more drink.

A short time later, a large man entered, dressed in regal clothes and followed by several more in his group. The footman stood at the door and announced them.

“King Frederick of Grandidum, his wife Queen Florinda, and their son, Prince Brody,” the footman said in a loud voice. All eyes were on the royalty entering and they were seated near the King and Queen of Lourienn. Everyone was dressed in their finest, but not one approached the regal spectacle of King Burtram in his dark purple tunic and brocade rose and blue overcoat, trimmed with spotted ermine.

More royalty from surrounding kingdoms followed, the King of Chin-ti-lee with his daughter Princess Tina, the King of Lansenry with his son Archibald and daughter Brittany, and numerous Dukes, Duchesses, Counts, Vicounts, Earls and more bringing their children in hopes of a royal engagement in the near future. Lourienn was a large and rich kingdom and an alliance with them would secure a good future for whichever kingdom was lucky enough to win the hand of one of its royal children. The room filled up quickly and King Burtram welcomed them all.

The day was filled with rich food, clever entertainment, and a lot of royal children vying for the attention of Prince Kurt and Princess Rachel.

“Father, I dont see a representative of Phalen Coill. Were they not invited?” Prince Kurt asked.

His father took him aside, whispering to the prince. “Theirs is not a kingdom, son. They elect the leader every ten years and it can be anyone – high social class or low, it makes no difference. How could I give Rachel to their leaders son knowing she might be scrubbing pots in a few years time?”

Kurt stood still for a moment, then asked, “How is one elected then?”

“I think they do a good deed, or are a bonny fighter, maybe. I assume it would be someone who earned the right, whether it be in promoting the welfare of the people or defending them against invaders. It changes with the times, I suppose,” Burt said. He patted Kurt on his back, smiling at a pretty young lady as she walked by on the arm of her father. King Burtram put out a hand to stop them.

“This is Princess Tina,” King Burtram said to his son, bowing his head congenially to the young lady. “Princess, let me introduce my son, Prince Kurt.” Kurt bowed to the girl, a smile on his face. She was very pretty and had a nice smile.

“Greetings, Princess Tina,” Kurt said, getting a shy giggle in return. Tina covered her mouth with her hand in a coy manner.

“Greetings, my prince,” she said, batting her eyelashes.

“Prince Kurt, perhaps you could escort the princess to a seat in the Hall while I speak with her father,” King Burtram suggested. Kurt put out his elbow for the pretty girl to hold and guided her to a seat near his sister, Rachel. He introduced her, smiling, and quickly left before the girls started a conversation.

It was over an hour later when Rachel sought out her brother.

“Kurt, come – I need to speak a word to you,” she whispered, taking his arm and practically dragging him to an alcove away from the dancing guests and the loud musicians.

“Whats wrong?” Kurt asked, a bit out of breath from being manhandled. He stood in front of his sister, shielding her from the crowd. She seemed very upset.

“Kurt, that prince...” she said, her voice shaking.

“Which one? They are rather thick on the ground tonight,” Kurt observed. He was trying to draw a smile from the princess, but she was overwrought.

“Brody. Prince Brody has cornered me several times tonight. The last time he told me that he is going to be my husband and I had better get used to it. He tried to coax me upstairs to be alone with him!” she whisper-shouted, a look of disgust on her face. “He told me he would make it happen one way or another – because if I told what he was going to do to me, my reputation would be ruined. He said I would be pregnant before I could take a deep breath...”

Kurt put his arms around his sister, holding her tightly.

“Dont worry, sweetheart. You know none of us would ever let that happen. That princeling is just too big for his britches – he comes from a small kingdom where he is probably the chief goatherd or something and he is desperate,” Kurt told her, looking into her eyes so she would feel his brotherly love surrounding her. She sighed in relief.

“Thank you, Kurt. I knew I could count on you,” she said, leaning her head on his shoulder.

“Besides, if he were to try to kidnap you, his life wouldnt be worth a snowballs chance in hell,” Kurt growled. He was quite upset himself, but tried not to show it. He needed to appear fearless and in charge of things in front of all of these people. He looked around the room, his eyes landing on Puck who was standing near Quinn in the far corner of the room.

“Okay, Rachel. I want you to stay near one of our trusted guards at all times. Do you agree?” Kurt asked his sister. He wasnt too worried – anyone brave enough to try and capture the princess was in for a difficult time. Rachel might be small in stature, but she was one feisty girl. Kurt didnt envy the man foolish enough to give her a hard time.

“Yes, brother. Dont say anything to Father, though. I dont want to upset him and bring on another spell,” she murmured in Kurts ear. The King had a few episodes where his chest was painful and the physician had made him lie down in bed for a few days.

Kurt squeezed his sisters hand, then left her near one of their fathers guards. Seeming to be strolling along the outskirts of the dance floor, Kurt found Puck and pulled him into a corridor to have a quiet word. He told Puck about Prince Brody and his unpleasant threat.

“Why would the man be so foolish? Telling Rachel his evil intentions – that is just stupid. He should know she would come right to her family to tell them what he planned,” Puck growled. He might be Prince Kurts man, but he had known Rachel from babyhood and loved her just as much.

“If he were to get her pregnant, you know shed be forced to marry him. It is a pipe dream, but I can understand his reasoning. There is no chance she would agree to marry him otherwise,” Kurt explained. He and Puck looked around to see where Rachel was and saw Prince Brody once again trying to corner her on the dance floor. Just as Puck was on his way to rescue her, Prince Michael – Princess Tinas twin – came up to Rachel to ask her to dance. She had seen Brody getting closer and readily accepted Michaels invitation. He took her hand and began to dance. Kurt noticed his extraordinary ability not only to dance but to make Rachel look good dancing, too. Kurt turned to Puck and smiled.

“She seems to like Prince Michael,” the prince of Lourienn observed. Puck bristled, shaking his head.

“No, shes just looking for a way to avoid that ass Brody I think,” Puck shot back, sounding jealous.

“Now, Puck. You know she is not ready to make a decision about marriage yet. Give her some credit – she knows this is a way to avoid Prince Brody,” Kurt lectured. Puck nodded, then touched Kurts arm in agreement. He took his leave, going over to be near his princess if needed. Kurt saw as he alerted several of the castle guards on his way.

It was late evening before the crowd of royal visitors left the castle. Some of the guests that came from farther away were invited to stay in a few houses on the castle grounds before departing in the morning for their homes farther away. King Burtram was overjoyed at the turnout to his festival and hoped that both Rachel and Kurt found interesting possibilities in terms of romance and marriage prospects.

He had noted how many times Rachel had danced with Prince Michael. He had the wrong idea about them, not knowing that Prince Brody had become a threat and Rachel was just trying to stay away from him. The King went to bed dreaming about Kurt and Rachel marrying the prince and princess of Chin-ti-Lee. It was far from Lourienn, but at least they would be together.

Prince Kurt stationed Puck just outside Rachels door. The burly bodyguard would be on the lookout for Prince Brody for the night and Kurt knew she would be safe. Hed asked Quinn to sleep in Rachels bed chamber for extra protection, too.

It was late when the prince got back to his own bedchamber. He was tired to the bone, having been on display all day for the visiting dignitaries. He had not seen one girl – or boy – that he felt comfortable with, especially not Princess Tina and he wished his father would quit shoving girl after girl down his throat. He could think of much nicer things he might want in his throat, he blushed and then giggled. If only he had someone to share that joke with, damn it.

Thoughts of certain things in his throat turned his thoughts to the beautiful man he wanted more than anything. Blaine. Kurt rushed to the window, placing the blue scarf on the hinge of the window so the ends fluttered in the breeze. It was getting dark, but Kurt thought Blaine could see the scarf in the gloaming. He grinned to himself, then changed his clothes to black tunic and leggings and a dark wine-red cape. He hoped he would be less likely to be seen from the castle windows in darker colors.

Leaving the castle to run across the meadow, Kurt couldnt help but feel as if someone were watching him. He was sure it wasnt Puck – his bodyguard was watching over Kurts sister on the other side of the castle walls. Kurt shivered, then shrugged off the uncomfortable feeling in the interest of the anticipation he was feeling for Blaine...