Jade rolled out of bed, tangled in her bedsheets and quilt. She felt like her veins were on fire and tried to calm her floundering breath. There was sweat dotting her face despite it being winter. Jade clenched, unclenched her hands as she fought the compulsion; the compulsion to destroy the bean pots she had planted in the village.

“I’m not going mad. Not again,” The tall girl grimaced, “That witch can’t take over my dreams again.”

She stared at her unadorned pots that sat empty on the window sill and felt the urge to overturn them over the balcony outside. It wasn’t like they were alive. They were a dead plant that had yet to emerge from the dusty soil but she knew there was a chance they could thrive.

Jade grappled for her staff but she could not find it near her bedside and pushed herself up from the heated marble floor. Her calf throbbed but she swallowed the ache.

The former secretary knew she had to find the Prince urgently. This particular assault on her dreams were the witch’s speciality and she feared the Prince would once again be plagued with the same problem as her.

Jade had only just draped her dress robe over the night shirt when she caught sight of her reflection in the mirror. Her brown hair was messily hanging over her narrow ruddy face. She no longer looked like a man and could no longer walk through the corridors at night. It would be unseemly to be caught sneaking into the Prince’s room in the dead of the night in her state. The scandal alone would destroy any plans to introduce her to society. Jade decided to rummage through her old trunk for appropriate attire.

She finally stuffed her plait into a stiff men’s morning hat and adjusted an overcoat over her breeches with her nightshirt safely tucked in. She wrapped a fur scarf around her neck which covered half her face in case she found herself face to face with the night guards.

Jade prowled the corridors once again staff-less fearing she would be identified by the obvious support for her limp. She had never visited Luke’s chambers in this particular palace but knew where the royal chambers lay and which room was his. She had been informed of minutest details under Elliot’s tutelage.

The tall girl checked her pocket watch and observed the guards change their duties from behind a large statue. She knew that the greater the medals on the guard’s red uniforms the more important their duties in the city palace. The most prized possession in the sleeping chambers Jade surmised were the royal family and she only had to follow an important looking guard to find the royal chambers.

Jade tripped on a sunken step where the carpets changed colour and she landed heavily against the console table. The clatter of the vase was agonising but the distracted guard provided an opening she desperately needed and she rolled towards the first door to her left. Creaking the door shut she found herself facing a stairway that presumably led to main bedroom.

Jade grabbed the marble bannister and made the journey upwards, slowly and steadily. Despite very little contact with the Prince on a daily basis she regularly continued his exercises and could feel herself much improved. She felt as if she did not need the staff at all.

Jade reached the landing and stood outside the massive, carved bedroom door and wondered whether she should knock and announce herself or barge in without ceremony. The Prince must be asleep she thought and she did not wish to startle him. A sound was heard from the corridor and the choice was taken from Jade’s hands. The girl ungracefully slithered in and eased the door shut.

Jade’s booted feet sunk in the plush, tan carpet and she carefully trekked across the warm room to the curtain enclosed bed. In the dim light she could see the room was much larger than the Prince’s other abode in the summer palace.

Jade carefully disturbed the bed covering and she stilled at the sight before her.

Luke lay in a pile of pillows with his quilt covering only half his body. He was wearing night breeches and nothing beyond that. Jade wanted to jostle him awake but she could not find a single part of his body that wouldn’t be inappropriate to touch. Her fingers were outstretched over Luke’s sinewy, bare chest when his grey eyes revealed themselves. The man hastily arose from his slumbering position.

“Ward?” Luke exhaled in shock and his breathing tempered as he realised what was going on, “No, it’s you. Why are you here?”

“Are you dreaming again?” Jade asked, not before letting her eyes traitorously glance down at the man’s muscular chest. Luke just stared blankly at the interloper in the dim torch light. Apparently it was another of the woodless inventions Luke was accumulating around him.

“Is that why you’ve marched into my room and invaded my privacy?” The Prince asked with a weary gaze, “I dream, of course, just like everyone else.”

“I’m talking about the magical kind, your Highness,” Jade uttered with an expression of frustration. She felt she could not convey the seriousness of the situation.

“No, my sleep is mine again. I have not slept poorly this month despite...” The dark haired man remarked with no intention of completing his sentence. He pulled his numerous covers off his shoulder and placed his feet on the warm floor. Jade held her breath as she watched his bare chest move every time he breathed.

“Good, that’s good to hear,” The former secretary exhaled in relief, “I shall leave you to your rest, Your Highness.”

She bow stiffly as she had always done before with no femininity in sight but before she could turn around Luke’s hand caught her arm. His brows were gathered into a worried expression.

“You cannot have traversed halfway across the palace just to quiz me on my dreams?” The man asked incredulously.

“I have had a troubling dream tonight but it cannot be the witch. You were always the target, not me. She would not have spared you if she were still alive,” Jade explained. The man’s solid hand was still holding onto her as if she would disappear out of his grasp.

“This is troubling news,” Luke bit his lip as he absorbed her words, “You should be careful. If the witch survived you would be the one she shall attack not me. You are one who felled her.”

“It must be an errant dream of my own design,” Jade shrugged off his arm but Luke would not release her.

“Let me assist you back,” The Prince was adamant. They stared at each other and finally Jade blinked and conceded defeat with a brief nod.

“How will we go through the stout wall of guards outside. I only managed to sneak in because I was well aware of the winter night shift timings,” Jade informed the Prince. The stiffness of her shoulders did not ease despite him removing his fingers away from her.

“You really were an excellent secretary,” Luke sighed wistfully as he pressed his hands on the wall beside his bed and it moved to reveal the passage way. It made sense to Jade that if the summer Palace had secret passageways then so would the city Palace.

“Give me time to wear something substantial. The hot pipes only run through the floors open to visitors. I shall turn into an icicle once we wander out in the hidden passage if I do not,” Luke insisted and he turned towards the a wooden screen that hid him from view.

Jade also turned away for she had no wish to spy on the Prince or even hear the rustling off his clothing. She was grateful he could not see the blush bloom across her wind burnt cheeks.

“My, my a certain Royal is learning how to plan. I distinctly remember someone trying to freeze themselves to death. You should know I never assumed the Prince who has always behaved with utmost propriety would even consider wandering about half naked,” Jade’s teasing words came out unbidden from her mouth.

“Perhaps you should make fewer assumptions,” Luke’s laugh was muffled as if talking from behind fabric he had hoisted on his head.

“I am hardly the judgemental type. I promise I won’t judge you,” The girl smirked as her eyes caught a dirty pair of shoes dumped in one corner, “But unfortunately I cannot say the same about not judging your room. Elliot should’ve thrown these out.”

Jade toed the pair with her own boots and she suddenly realised why the slippers seemed familiar.

“Why do you have my slippers?” Jade asked, incredulously. She could barely remember what happened to them but she was certain they were hers.

“What shoes?” Luke peered out from behind the room divider. Jade curbed her disappointment that he seemed fully clothed.

“These, these,” The former secretary pointed at the slippers, “I can prove it to you!”

Jade suddenly felt ridiculous but she was already seated on his comfortable bed and was ripping off the laces of her left boot. She tried to reach for the slippers at her feet but she felt pain slice through her calf. Luke was instantly crouched at her side and he handed the slipper to her. Jade placed it carefully on her socked feet and looked triumphant.

“See, see!” Jade declared too busy to notice the strange look on Luke’s face. He seemed unsettled by the plain shoe that adorned her feet.

“You had really long hair when I saw you at the lake one night,” The man uttered plainly though his eyes seemed desperate to speak, “I didn’t know who you were.”

“It seems you’re a fan of collecting shoes from mysterious women,” Jade replied primly. She did not know what to say any further. She was quietly handed back her boot which she deftly placed back where it belonged. Jade allowed Luke to guide her from the bed and into the dark passageway with the futuristic lamp in hand.

“What do you plan to do next?” Luke asked as they trod through the bricked path. Jade’s hand lightly rested on his arm.

“I intend to see my country estate and my deceased relatives'. They are after all to be united under my name. But Only after I attend your brother’s dinner party. I received the invitation last night,” The tall girl replied after a thoughtful pause.

“I don’t know what games he’s playing at. And you intend to play along?” Luke asked sourly. He seemed unable to digest Jade would be introduced to public at large once and for all.

“One can hardly decline the invitation from the Crown Prince,” Jade replied, cheekily. She shivered as the cold penetrated her bones despite the layers of wool underclothing.

“As if you’d care to do what he asks of you,” The younger Prince snorted.

“True. But I do want to resolve the issue of my identity. It would be most inconvenient to turn up in public without anyone to help me,” The girl answered with a shrug.

“I suppose you along with Edward and Elliot have conjured up a plan like always,” The Prince asked with fondness dripping in his tones.

“Jealous?” Jade asked with a raised brow.

“Perhaps. It’s always amusing to see you and Edward try to get along. He is really too acerbic for his own good.”

“I can handle him just fine. I just wonder whether Emma will be able to see anything of worth beyond his caustic airs,” The girl mused. She knew her friend was ruminating over her predicament. The sudden positive attention upon her had bowled her over.

“I am certain she will. She is made of sterner stuff then she thinks and she will find the softer aspects of his personality,” Luke was confident in his belief although Jade was uncertain whether Edward even had a soft underbelly, “Delilah wrote us both very firmly worded letters and I think he’s built up the confidence to aim for who he wants.”

“I can surmise what the Crown Prince was lectured for but what have to done to deserve her ire. I think you settled your matters to your satisfaction, have you not?”

“My journey has only just begun. I’ll get there in the end if I do not make Edward like blunders,” Luke stated calmly. He paused in front of a brick wall and pressed his hands into the wall. The wall opened up into the Jade’s room.

“Do you want something to drink? I don’t believe I shall fall asleep any time soon,” Jade invited the man into the warmth of her large room but the Prince remained affixed on the spot.

“I should go,” The man’s grey eyes lingered on his companion, “It would be unwise for me to be alone in your company more than necessary.”

“I am hardly going to compromise you by sharing a bottle of sherry with you,” The girl jested while she uncorked the bottle for herself.

“As if my reputation is the one that needs protecting,” Luke snorted. He still remained at the boundary of her room, not coming further.

“Part of the reason why Elliot demanded I stick to you like gum is because of the attempts to compromise you. I daresay your virtue has far more value then mine,” Jade slumped into her desk chair and took a sip with a gesture at the Prince, including him in the moment.

“Elliot is utterly obnoxious,” The Prince rolled his eyes. He crossed his arms with an impatient huff.

“Exactly, nobody would have a bought the lovestruck Prince would be canoodling with extras from his brother’s social circle. It would have been a waste of time to try and entrap you,” The former secretary shrugged revealing she thought the same.

“I suppose that’s what all three of did in Elliot’s office; discuss my private affairs,” Luke growled.

“All three of us had one goal and that was to protect you. I promise I was not privy to your youthful indiscretion,” The girl giggled in her hand feeling loose of tongue. She was enjoying discomfiting the Prince into agitation.

“I refuse to participate in this discussion any longer,” Luke’s hand waved in front of him, “You have been utterly corrupted by being in the company of men.”

“I have always been like this. You don’t stand a chance against me,” Jade barked with laugher as the man marched off shutting the hidden doorway behind him.

...

..,.

Jade glided down the marble staircase on the arm of the blue eyed Prince. The duchess wore a silver blue ballgown with organza, puff sleeves. There were further sheer layers draped over and over her gown making it look delicate and whispy. She was wearing uncomfortable glass heels, the latest fashion according to Mr. Gepetto. At least her outfit provided a good excuse for moving so sedately. Edward had been adamant all of her imperfections must be decimated hence her lack of staff and face full of altering makeup. Her scar was no longer visible.

The ambling crowd stilled as the Royal herald announced the pair. They gaped at them most curiously while Jade was helped down by the Crown Prince.

“How do they not know who I am?” Jade whispered to herself but the Prince assumed the question was not rhetorical.

“Lady Durnn, most people are too dim witted to function in life. You are just getting a glimpse of it,” The Crown Prince announced with clipped tones.

“Believe me, I know,” Jade replied pointedly. She hid a faint smile behind her white glove.

“I hope you can keep your sharp tongue in control if not your table manners,” Edward muttered form the corner of his mouth. His face was contorted into a smile and Jade was surprised to find he had a dimple on his face matching his brother’s.

“Despite my lack of agility at Emma’s home I am more then capable,” Jade taunted, tartly. Edward looked furious for a second before flaring his nostrils to breath deeply. His smile grew flinty as he noticed a new arrival in the waiting crowd.

“He needs to close his mouth. His obsession with you is sickening,” The man uttered sharply and Jade knew who he was muttering about. She spied Luke standing in a corner nursing a newly offered drink. His eyes were glued to the arriving pair.

“Please do remember I was not the woman he was clambering after with a silly shoe in his hand,” Jade replied, curtly.

“Your stupidity astounds me. He’s flitters like a love sick butterfly around you and you think the witch’s offering is in his thoughts,” Edward turned up his nose as if he was nauseated.

“It seems like the Royals share that peculiar trait,” The girl breathed. They were closer to the crowd now and they dared not make a scene. Some of the ladies were talented enough to read lips if they were allowed and she had no wish to incite drama.

“Not another word about my private matters,” Edward’s smile contrasted with the threat in his words.

“If you break my friend’s heart then you shall have to contend with my wrath, your highness. Tread wisely,” Jade turned his face to the taller man. He could see the earnestness behind her voice.

Luke greeted them at the foot of the stairs with a slightly amused look. He could tell the pair had been squabbling all the way down the stairs despite their beaming smiles.

“Welcome, Lady Durnn,” The younger Prince plucked Jade’s free hand from her side and touched it to his lips. Jade just stared for she could not even attempt to formulate any words. Their gazes were locked until Edward broke the silence.

“I’m going to be sick,” The Crown Prince’s smile grew strained.

“I’ve already had the pleasure on his Royal Highness’ shoes,” Jade gave him a vapid sort of a smile while the Prince controlled the facade of absolute loathing. It did not matter whether she was male or female. She was doomed to earn his ire whenever they were in proximity.

“Lady Durnn, Ladies and Gentlemen, has been kind enough to accept my invitation. She is a very dear friend and I hope you will make her feel welcome,” Edward’s voice echoed in the silent room despite using a measured tone of voice. The crowd of select members of the Prince’s inner circle erupted in chatter as they quizzed each other on whether they had been acquainted with the guest of honour earlier.

Edward introduced Jade to his own secretary, for the night, to perform the hosting duties in his place for the Prince was too high ranking for such mundanities. The man instead marched Luke to the refreshments table.

The secretary, out of the many appointed for the Crown Prince, was new and Jade had never seen him before. He guided her through the crowd of people and gave her a brief description of who was present. The young man also made introductions to any of the party who accosted the pair.

“What a sight you are to behold, my Lady” The slightly sloshed gentlemen handed the secretary his visiting card. The secretary was expressionless but Jade could feel the displeasure radiate from him. Jade was midsentence when Prince Luke disturbed the meeting.