Oh, the Princess's interest was all too obvious from the way she stood staring off into the horizon. Leyla watched the girl that had tried to have her declared a traitor, and surprisingly, couldn't dredge up any anger. Was it that too much time had passed?

Ever the diplomat, Michael pretended not to notice the Princess's inattention and raised his fingers to his forehead. "We are honoured, Princess Mira."

Surprised at his use of Warrior tongue, the Princess finally deigned to look at them directly. Leyla almost laughed at the change in her demeanor when her eyes landed on Michael. She had seen this type of reaction hundreds of times in Asch; jet black hair, baby blue eyes and cheeky smile, made for a combination that most women found irresistible.

"The honour is mine," the Princess smiled prettily. "I'm afraid I was not informed of your name..."

"I am Michael," Michael said, turning to Leyla, "This is my sister, Lady Alessa and her companion, Lady Delphine."

Lady Delphine's eyes widened at his use of sister, but Leyla put a restraining hand on the younger girls arm, shooting her a look of warning. Michael had strayed from the plan; they had never agreed to act as siblings, but it was too late to change that now.

Recovering her composure, Delphine raised her fingertips to her forehead and spoke in flawless Warrior tongue: "It is an honour to make your acquaintance, your Highness."

Leyla had no idea until that moment that the girl could speak Warrior, although she should have guessed. Like all Warrior Officers, the High Thinkers were likely all trained in the five languages of Gaia. Pushing aside years of Warrior training, Leyla raised her fingers to her forehead, making quick work of her greeting to the Princess. "It's an honour to make your acquaintance, your Highness."

"Indeed," The Princess said vaguely. Their eyes met for a moment, then parted. There was no hint of recognition.

Had Leyla really changed so much? Yes, her hair was much longer, and her features had no doubt matured, but she was still the same person. Was it the scar that made the difference, or just the sheer impossibility of the 16-year-old orphan turning up as a 22-year-old lady?

Mira's focus was back on Michael. "Unfortunately, we don't know much about the Land of Light, but my steward tells me that you are a royal?"

"We don't use the same structure as the Warrior Kingdom," Michael explained, "but if expressed in your terms, then yes I suppose I am."

"Ah," Princess Mira nodded, "And your title?"

"You are in the presence of Prince Michael of the Land of Light," Delphine bristled. She obviously did not like the spoilt Princess's lack lustre attitude towards the Curator.

"Prince? So we are equals!" Rina lifted a hand to check her hair, then frowned in confusion. "But your sister, she is just a lady?"

"As I said, we do not use the same structure as the Warrior Kingdom," Michael repeated. Then he cast a cheeky look in Leyla's direction, "Don't get hung up on titles, Princess. My sister has the highest rank among us."

Leyla returned Michael's look with one that promised retribution; what on Gaia was his intention with that silly comment?

"I see." Satisfied that she was not wasting time on people beneath her social class, the Princess gestured behind her. "Then I will show you around the keep and you can tell me more about...you."

"Ah, certainly," Michael blinked, reaching his arm towards Leyla.

She gave him a tight-lipped smile and stepped closer to Delphine. "Please, brother. You should walk beside the Warrior Princess and have a nice talk."

Michael's look was almost pitiful as Rina took the chance to weave her hand through his outstretched arm. "So, are you married, Prince Michael?"

Delphine hid a smile behind her hand as they stood back to allow the couple to lead the way into the keep. Michael managed to give vague answers to the Princess's highly inappropriate personal questions as they walked through the castle.

Servants Leyla had seen hundreds of times, bobbed curtsies as they passed. Soldiers bowed, their eyes lit with curiosity as they watched their procession. Everyone was looking, watching the exotic Light Landers with fascinated eyes that held no hint of recognition.

As they approached the centre of the keep, sounds of sword practice grew ever louder. Leyla inched closer to the banister, feigning interest in the Princess's constant stream of inconsequential talk while she watched the goings-on below. The second years were training as a drill-sergeant barked orders. Most of them had decent form, but the boy in the second row from the left needed to adjust his grip.

"Isn't that right, Lady Alessa?"

"Ah...yes." She looked up, uncertain what exactly she had agreed to.

Michael raised a mocking brow. "Since my sister says she needs some rest before the feast, please excuse us, your Highness."

"Well, I suppose frail women need their rest." the Princess cast a disparaging look in her direction. Leyla clenched her jaw, then forced herself to smile and nod.

"Please, allow me to show you to your rooms," the Steward stepped forward, holding his arm up to guide the way.

They took their leave from the Princess and followed the steward to the highest floor in the keep. Lady Delphine was shown to a beautiful corner room. Then the steward led Michael and her into a set of rooms that were normally used by the Warrior Queen when she was with child.

The large chamber was split into two sections with an ornately carved partition. Two beautiful beds were on either side, and large windows let in the orange light of setting sun, giving the furniture in the chamber a fiery glow.

"We had prepared three rooms, but in our Kingdom, families enjoy shared accommodations, so I thought you may find these apartments to your liking?" The Steward looked at them questioningly. "If not, I can show you to other rooms..."

"There is no need," Michael assured him. "If you can have our things sent up to us, that will be enough."

The Steward bowed in acceptance, then closed the door behind him.

"Is this why you claimed we were siblings?" Leyla turned on him, the minute the older man was out of earshot. "You knew they would put us in shared rooms?"

Michael sat in a nearby chair, stretching out his long legs with a shrug. "It's your fault, La-La! I've never seen you so distracted. I had to do this so I could keep an eye on you."

It was true, she had been distracted. Nevertheless, he couldn't go changing their plans to his convenience. "Michael, I've taught you better than this. When executing a mission, plans are not to be changed unless it's an absolute necessity. And think of Lady Delphine. She is nervous enough as it is without you doing as you please."

"Could you stop worrying about Lady Delphine for just one moment and think about yourself?" Michael complained. Then pushing himself out of his seat, he took her hand. "You were taken away from your home, because of me. And now, you are back, but you can't tell anyone who you are, again because of me!"

"Michael, I've told you many times that it was not because of you! The trees -" Leyla tried to comfort him, but he turned away.

"Yes, yes, the blasted trees." Michael ran a hand through his hair, then sighed. It was rare for him to look downcast and true to form he recovered quickly. His ready smile back in place, he turned back her way. "It doesn't matter, La-La. Be as distracted as you want to be. I will protect you, whatever happens."

I will protect you, no whatever happens. Hadn't she said those same words to him whenever they faced a difficulty in Asch? Perhaps now, Michael wanted to be the one to protect her. Leyla nodded and ruffled his hair. "Alright, I'll be in your care."

Michael narrowed his eyes, "You think I don't know you are humouring me? But you just wait. With the longing looks you were casting at the training field earlier, you are bound to get yourself in trouble sooner or later. You'll be needing my help, you can bet on it."

Leyla raised a brow at his sour expression. "I thought you wanted to protect me. Why does it sound like you're cursing me instead?"

"Frustrating woman!" Annoyed, Michael strode towards his side of the chambers then called over the partition. "I'm going to lie down before we have to get dressed for the King's Feast. I suggest you do the same."

"Yes, sir!" Leyla smiled when he continued muttering. Feeling a lot more relaxed thanks to Michael's antics, she moved to her own side of the chamber and tried hard not to wonder if Alec would be attending the evenings festivities.