Bastian POV:

  “Carsen did it.” Sir Rebecca thrust a thumb at Bastian’s second-in-command.

  The fox’s ear twitched, “Me? What did I do?”

  “You lost our royal!” Sir Rebecca explained, adding, “It wasn’t me this time, I was in the hall.”

  “In my defense,” Carsen shrugged, “They escaped out the seventh floor window.”

  Bastian ran a hand through his short cropped silver hair. He felt a bit naked without his armour, but knew he couldn’t wear plate or chain mail to an Afternoon Tea Party.

  At least, not Grand Duchess Callisto’s Afternoon Tea Party.

  They pair had met Bastian outside his suite in the Coral Palace. He'd left for thirty minutes to get ready for the tea party, and that was all it took.

  “North Sumbria is one of our closest allies.” Bastain spoke, ushering the pair towards the magical elevator. “But that doesn’t mean we can be lax. Rebecca, search inside the towers. Carsen, start at the kitchens and then move out to the gardens…”

  “Is there really a point?” Carsen asked, “There’s no way to recognize them even if we did find them.”

  “Just… try.” Bastian had a keen sense for these things, and could usually figure out Their Royal Highness based on their mannerisms and speech… but he wasn’t free to join the search.

  No. Bastian had other important things to do - namely finding a certain elf countess and claiming her escort before anyone else. The same elf who'd been on his mind near constantly since their meeting. It was why he was heading down early to wait in the lobby.

  There was a short pause in conversation while a palace attendant brought them downstairs. Not wanting to bring attention to the fact that Rowen was missing, Bastian changed the subject, "Were there any updates from Prince Malakai?"

  "Yes." Carsen nodded, "the prince got back to us - the poachers were caught and the pandas are safe."

  First thing that morning, Madame Potts’ had issued a new cast that had Their Royal Highness in the communications room.

  A surprise Cast today, with interesting news!

  I have been fortunate enough to change the future a few times. As such, many of my predictions are out of date before I have the chance to give them. I hope this is one of them, and it is no longer valid … but just in case, I’ll let you all know anyway!

  At the stroke of midnight, please don’t stand beside the green oak tapestry. And if you like your green oak tapestry, maybe move it?

  In other news! I have it on the best authority that Chancellor Fernley in Peldeep is smuggling a group of blue pandas and should be stopped. Those bundles of fluff can be found under Gorge Turpin Bridge.

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

  Finally, if your assassin never made it home last night, you can start your searching at the guild in Peldeep or Servalt. Maybe next time don’t attack an Enchanted Forest that can kill you all by itself?

  This is Madame Potts, signing out.

  They'd all missed breakfast to connect with the Emerald Palace cast crystal back home. The royal heir had access to the large crown crystal, but personally went out to supervise the panda rescue - and so the morning had been spent waiting in the North Sumbria communications room waiting for news, until Rowen decided to break for lunch and let Bastian go get ready.

  He could rest easier knowing the adorable bundles of fluff were found and rounded up and safe.

  “Ah!”

  The soft voice caught all of their attention, and Bastian turned to see Miss Peregrine stopped in the doorway of the magical elevator. A gentle cough from the attendant behind her urged her to clear the entry, and her cheeks darkened as she did so.

  In the light of day, her hair was a millers pink close to the shade of gerbera daisy pink he'd made processing beets. The light and bright shade. His fingers clenched at his side to control his sudden desire to craft. Bastian loved small, cute, sweet things… so much so that he spent most of his spare time back home crafting; stuffed animals, dolls, and even felting little pieces of furniture. If he could, he wanted to carve a small pink hedgehog with angry eyebrows in that exact shade.

  His first thought upon seeing Countess Fern was carving a tiny rabbit… but the portrait of her wielding a bow combined with the standoffish Sumbrian etiquette made the choice obvious…

  “Miss Peregrine.” Her name was as beautiful and striking as she was... and he pushed aside the new image of a cute peregrine falcon with pink tipped feathers and blue eyes... He could even have the bird holding an arrow in its claws…

  Focus Bastian.

  When Peregrine finally spoke, it was to gently chide him, “We haven’t been introduced yet, my lord.”

  The simple words pleased him– she hadn’t rejected him outright.

  “This is Knight Commander Bastian on Peldeep.” Sir Rebecca announced. There was a sharpness in her tone that Bastian didn’t like. “Head guard to Their Royal Highness Rowen of Peldeep, and the most acclaimed warrior in our court.”

  “Sir Rebecca,” Bastian frowned, annoyed at the knight’s tone, and for overly praising him. “Resume your post. I’ll find both of you after I’m finished.”

  Rebecca stiffened, but gave her most professional salute before leaving with Carsen, who had remained quiet.

  His team hadn’t exactly responded well to finding out about the potential engagement… and it seemed they still weren’t convinced. Sumbrian’s were notoriously cruel, and Peldeep only kept up polite relations with the elves because of their luxury trade goods.

  "Now that we've be been introduced," Bastian didn't care about other Sumbrians... he wanted to get to know this one specifically. Shifting his body so he was no longer blocking her path to the main hall, he lifted one arm in offered escort, “Would you be my partner for this afternoon’s tea party?”

  He wasn’t expecting the nerves that played in his stomach as he waited for her response.

  A slight smile and her fingers resting on his wrist washed away all of his anxiety. “Do I call you Knight Commander Bastian of Peldeep, head guard to Their Royal Highness Rowen of Peldeep, most acclaimed warrior–”

  “Just Bastian is fine.” He placed his free hand on top of hers, trapping it on his wrist.

  “I don’t know,” Peregrine’s eyes flicked in the direction Rebecca and Carsen left, “your companions might not appreciate the familiarity.”

  Bastian urged her towards the meeting place, walking close enough to lean down and say, “If our kingdoms would have their way, they might need to get used to it.” He straightened again and coughed, “Though of course it’s much too soon to say. And if you are against the idea, then I’ll respect–”

  “Bastian?” It was her turn to cut him off, and he sucked in his breath. His name on her lips was enticing, and he wished she’d say it again. He was surprised she’d said it at all, but he took it as a very good sign.

  “I’m not against the idea.” She stated, squeezing his wrist ever so slightly. “So why don’t we enjoy ourselves today and have a real talk tomorrow? Just the two of us.”

  “A wonderful plan.”

  They quickly reached the meeting spot and joined some twenty other debutants in the front hall awaiting Grand Duchess Calisto.