Kurt felt guilty about the bath he took. The tub he used was big enough to fit an entire family into and it was lined in gold and silver on the outside. The water the servants brought in was deliciously hot and they even added the petals of some local flower which made the whole experience absolutely intoxicating.

Kurt hasn't smelled this good... well, he doesn't know when, and he always makes the extra effort to look and smell as good as he can, whenever he can.

But he definitely needed the bath. When he leaves the tub, it no longer is filled with steamy translucent water, but instead looks like a brown soup with bits of grass and pebbles mixed in. He shudders at how absolutely disgusting he had allowed himself to become, and for so long.

Grabbing a towel he dries himself off thoroughly. He has claimed one of the royal bedrooms as his headquarters during the transition period. A messenger has already delivered his clothing and personal items, which he now goes through to find something comfortable to wear.

A meow beckons him from by his leg, and as he looks down as Cat begins to rub against his leg. "Apologies Cat. I took entirely too long in the bath and left you all by yourself."

Kurt chuckles to himself at the absurdity of the one-sided conversation and pulls on a loose white cotton tunic with green embroidered lines running along the seams. He then pulls on pair of black cotton pants, just a little snug, but not enough to showcase his attributes to the world. Finally a plain belt to hold the sheath for his sword. Never can be too careful, style or not.

Once he's completed getting ready, he leans down and scoops Cat up into his arms, giving the demanding creature a little scratch behind the ears. "Well then, let's go get to work."

Kurt exits the room and walks through the hall and down the stairs to the main hall where tables have been set up, each functioning as a station for various planning. Before he finishes going down the stairs, he takes note of where his father is and heads in his direction.

Noah is beside Burt and see's Kurt first, arching both brows as he notices the cat in Kurt's arms. "Did you find a friend there Kurt? And here I thought you didn't like pus-"

Noah is cut off by Burt who not-so-accidentally bumps into him as he turns around. "Son. You look much more... yourself." The older man smiles.

Kurt takes a moment to shoot Noah a glare and then his gaze softens as he looks to his father. "Thank you. I feel guilty about the luxury of the estate, and the service for that matter, but I don't think I could have been of very much help with all the mud I had in my ears."

Burt reaches out to give Cat a short pat on the head. "Well those Warblers, the servants I mean, have been absolutely gracious. Especially considering they had locked themselves into the cellar for nearly a day until they felt it was safe to come out when they heard Jeff yelling for them. The boy really didn't have much to worry about in the end."

Kurt nods, his body relaxing as Cat purrs against his chest. "Have you given any thought to Blaine's status?"

Kurt has been thinking of the slightly shorter boy all afternoon. The tortured look in his amber eyes, the finely curled rings just falling across his brow, the sun kissed skin... It didn't help that Blaine had announced to Kurt his sexuality down in the dungeon. Kurt, who usually kept himself cool around any attractive men, found that Blaine's admission gave him allowance to think of him in a lustful manner.

No matter. Kurt had to deal with it in the professional and icy manner he always had.

"We've talked to those Warblers about what they know. It corroborates what he told you in the dungeon. No shortage of daddy issues there. Apparently he's also quite academic and skilled in many areas, but has never been permitted to exercise those skills aside from music. He will need a lot of work if we decide he is the best candidate for taking over control of Westerville." Burt explained.

"Will you release him from the dungeon then so we can judge those skills and knowledge?" Kurt asked.

Noah interrupted at this point, "No way. He grabbed his sword. He was going to try and kill you Kurt!"

Burt nodded, "I know you said he was going to use it on himself, but I don't know if I want to take that chance. I agree he has a lot of potential from what we've heard, but I can't risk you son."

Kurt shook his head and took a step back, "That boy in the dungeons has been trapped in this castle his entire life. From everything we've heard, he had every reason to feel that amount of desperation in that moment. He had no problem talking to me in the dungeon, the servants have only kind things to say about him, and he has pampered this cat like it is a child! I would stake my life on him being fine with us!"

Burt winced and looked to Noah who just shrugged.

"And if you don't let him out, I'm going to end up spending a lot of time down there that would probably be better served up here!" Kurt added.

Burt sighed and reached into a pouch on his belt, pulling out a key. "He's your responsibility. And I want a guard assigned to him at all times until further notice. Pick someone you trust."

Kurt snatched the key and turned on his heel, "Yes sir."

Burt wondered how he would have managed if he had both Elizabeth and Kurt at this stage in life. He would likely have been a very whipped man. Well, more than he already was in any case.

Kurt spoke quickly as he walked towards the stairs that led into the dungeon, "You don't need to be right behind or beside him, just keep him in your sights. He's been locked up forever. We don't want to give the impression that we're just here to continue on with his entrapment..."

"Sure thing sir. I know you can handle yourself in close proximity." Sam replied, trying to keep up with Kurt. Sam was still in his armor and dirty as hell, but hadn't had time to clean himself off, having offered his wife, Mercedes, time in the baths first.

"And I don't expect you to be there each and every hour. Find a couple others to help you out and schedule yourselves for coverage. I just want you to coordinate it." Kurt reached the dungeon door and paused, looking back at Sam.

"And, if anything does happen around me, try to let me defuse it before you jump right in."

Sam nodded rapidly. He was ready to get a look at the 'Tower Prince' as he had been nicknamed by many of the troops. The son of the wicked king, apparently as gentle as a kitten with no claws.

Kurt pushed the dungeon door open and stepped in. He turned to his left and walked the few steps to the cell Blaine was in.

Inside the cell, Blaine had fallen asleep in the straw cot. He had his arms wrapped around his torso and his legs curled up as the mattress wasn't as long as he was tall. Kurt exhaled lightly, watching the boy sleep for just a moment. So that's what peace looked like.

Then, catching himself, he struck the key along the bars of the cell, making a series of deep chimes, "Rise and shine. You've been given your papers!"

Blaine woke up with a start and sat straight up, his eyes wide. Kurt smirked. This boy wouldn't be much good if someone sneaked up on him at night. Too much calm, and then, too much panic. But calm could be taught. Kurt had not always been so composed either.

Blaine rubbed his eyes and pulled himself off the cot and stood up by the door. "Really? I was expecting I would have to figure out how to clean up this place to make it livable..." He offered Kurt a weak smile as he spoke, clearly trying to make light of his situation.

Kurt unlocked the cell door with the given key and pulled it open, "For reasons I'm sure you can appreciate, there will still be eyes on you, mine included. In fact, you'd better get used to me since you're under my care as of now."

Blaine nodded once, looking Kurt over, and then past him to the blonde hulk in armor standing quietly.

"And this is Sam. He is in charge of your personal guard. Let him know if there's something you need." Kurt gestured back to Sam who gave a quick nod.

Blaine's eyes travelled back to Kurt, "What do you mean... under your care?"

"Well you're the only one left of your family here now. Depending on your skills and knowledge, you might be the most capable one to take care of Westerville once we leave." Kurt turned to exit the dungeon, Sam waiting until Blaine began to follow before bringing up the rear.

Blaine slowly trod after Kurt, wincing as the light from outside hit him. As he allowed his eyes to adjust to the sudden burst of light he asked, "What do you mean, 'when you leave'. This land is yours now. You conquered it."

Kurt chortled a little and turned his head to flash a grin back to Blaine as they continued their way back to the castle, "You really have been locked up your whole life hmm? We don't conquer. We liberate. Believe me, none of us has any interest in ruling anything."

They rounded the corner and Kurt noticed how Blaine was taking in everything around him. There was activity all through the courtyard as different groups within the army established headquarters in different parts of the castle, and nobility and peasants were coming in and out from the city to provide information, beg for help, and get news.

Blaine seemed to consider Kurt's words as they came into the main hall, where conversations hushed as people noted the 'Tower Prince' walking beside Kurt.

Kurt tossed a hand in the air, "Continue with your business! You should have no shortage of work to do!"

And the hush ended just as quickly as it had begun, aside from the odd look in his direction, most of the troops took their cue to get back to work seriously.

Blaine looked to Kurt, "You must have some power." It was more of a question than a statement.

Kurt sighed as they reached the stairs, "Yes. Unfortunately I do." He turned and offered Blaine his hair at the edge of the stairs, "Come on. Your cat has gotten fur all over my clothing and I really don't want to get mad at the poor thing."

Blaine glanced at the hand only momentarily this time, taking it in his, and following Kurt up the stairs.