Dani ran out of the shop, ignoring Reshi’s shouts for her and pushing past Ben and the healer. Her fault! He was the one with the damn magic crown, how was she supposed to know that the crown was going to turn into stupid bracelets that meant they were fucking married?! She furiously wiped her tears and ducked out of sight into an alley. And he was already looking for someone to undo the spell or however he put it! She couldn’t help but think she must be so undesirable that he’d want to get rid of her that fast.

Suddenly she was aware of a large shape looming over her, extending a much-stained handkerchief. “Yer gonna get dirt on yer new dress it ye ain’t careful.”

Dani took the handkerchief, wiping her eyes and nose. “Reshi. Are you here to tell me how much of a screwup I am again?”

“Nah. Seems ta me ya know ya screwed up, I don’t need ta keep beatin’ it into yer head.” Reshi said. He leaned against the wall across from her, arms crossed over his chest.

Dani let out a bitter laugh and looked up at him. She must look a mess, but at least she didn’t look like Wulfram, he was a mess with all that blood. She almost felt sorry for him, first, she had hit him with the door, then he had gotten punched in the face. Not that he didn’t deserve it. “No, not a chance I’d forget now. Married for gods sake! How could he not know that thing would marry us? And now he just wants to sweep it under the rug. Couldn’t possibly be married to a thief, just another rat from the Rats Nest. No, not even a rat, a mouse.”

“Ye ain’t a helpless mouse though.” Reshi said firmly. “Yer clever, an’ usually smart.”

Usually smart? She opened her mouth to protest that, but then turned red as she thought about yesterday’s debacle and just couldn’t get the words out. Her shoulders slumped in defeat, and she looked up at Reshi. “What am I gonna do?”

Reshi scratched his beard thoughtfully and let out a heavy sigh. “Well. I s’pose ya could stay married ta the bastard if that’s what ya want.”

“Reshi! Be serious!”

“I am. Ya got ‘im in a good position ta be taken care o’ fer the rest of yer life. Ain’t sayin’ it’s a path I approve of. Ya could also go ta Hesiodos, but ain’t no guarantee ya would be safer there’n here.”

Dani thought of the stories she had heard of Hesiodos, of their clans and multiple wives, their blood magic. She wrinkled her nose a little. “No thanks.”

“Then stay ‘ere, an’ do the best ya can. Where ya got family an’ friends ta watch yer back.” Reshi straightened from the wall and ruffled her hair. “C’mon back in the shop. I ain’t gonna leave ya out ‘ere lookin’ like some lady.”

“Reshi!” She worked to smooth her hair, Mrs. Haversaun insisted that a neat appearance was important for business, and had brushed her hair into neat waves. Now she was going to have to brush it again! Reshi just laughed and held the door open for her.

The inside of the shop was much calmer than it had been before, with Mrs. Haversaun measuring Wulfram for a new shirt. “-after all your Highness, people would be alarmed if you walked around with blood all over. You’re lucky that the healer was able to mend the damage to your nose.”

“I must say I didn’t expect to get hit in the face so often today.” Wulfram said, standing tall and patient for the older woman. He looked to Reshi and Dani as they came back in, and smiled. “Ah, welcome back. I hope you don’t plan on hitting me again?”

Gods she wanted to wipe that confident smile off his face! Reshi prowled around the counter, taking up position on the single stool to stare stoney-eyed at Wulfram. “I should, the way ya talked ta my daughter. Yer tryin’ ta swindle out of a marriage sounds like. Coward.”

Wulfram stiffened, his smile remaining in place with a force Dani could swear she felt. “I was merely trying to offer a way out that would cause the least amount of waves. I doubt your daughter wants to become a queen. It’s a great deal of responsibility and attention.”

“I’ve already got more attention than I want, but you think I can’t handle the responsibility?” Dani couldn’t help but bristle, her eyes narrowing slightly as she glared at Wulfram. He didn’t think she could handle it?

“That’s not what I meant.” Wulfram winced, his smile faltering. He put a hand to his head, closing his eyes as he thought. Dani wasn’t willing to give him long to think though, she had messed up, she’d admit that no problem, but he had messed up too. And she wasn’t going to let him off the hook.

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“Then what did ya mean? I can handle attention and responsibility just fine. You however wouldn’t last a night in the Rats Nest. Especially not if folks were after you.” She smirked, a feeling of certainty forming in her chest. She knew he wouldn’t try to disprove that, she could just imagine him sleeping on the dirt or a straw mat, not having access to running water, not having enough food, or having to eat peasant food!

“Excuse me?” Wulfram stiffened again, his amber eyes fixing on her.

“You heard me. You wouldn’t last a night. But you want to pretend to know what I can handle. Want to pretend you’re trying to get out of a marriage because I can’t handle the attention or the responsibility. Admit it, you just don’t want a commoner wife.” Why the hell was she complaining about it? She could just make sure he paid her something for the inconvenience and trouble, and be on her way! But it irked her to know that he didn’t want her as a wife, it hurt some pride deep in her. She may not want to get married, but she at least didn’t want to be thrown away like yesterdays trash after the princes dumb mistake.

“I thought I was doing us both a favor trying to get the bracelets off!” Wulfram snapped.

The bells hung on the door chimed gently as it was pushed open, admitting a pair of ladies in long skirts and huge trailing sleeves. They paused as all eyes turned to them, looking startled at the diverse group gathered in the small shop. It was the taller one that recognized Wulfram first, dipping into a deep curtsy. “Your Highness! Uhm... we didn’t expect to see you here.”

The second girl let out a tiny gasp, her eyes widening into saucers as she too curtsied, mumbling something incomprehensible but no doubt polite. Wulfram’s smile was back in place as if it had never left, and he nodded politely to the two ladies as he stepped off the stool he had been standing on. “I imagine not, but it is of course a pleasure to see you both.”

The younger girls eyes were fixed on Wulfram’s bare chest, a blush rising in her cheeks. She ducked her head quickly, but Dani could tell she was still glancing at him. She looked at him herself, and nodded slightly. He did cut a nice figure, even bandaged and bruised as he was.

“We heard you were hurt pursuing that horrible thief. Did you catch her?” The taller woman asked, her eyes carefully fixated on his face. Mrs. Haversaun suppressed her own smile, turning to work some fabric into a shirt for Wulfram. It would still take a bit of time, but mens shirts were thankfully simple. With the help of her dwarven-made machine it wouldn’t take her long to whip one up.

“I believe she died when the building collapsed.” Wulfram said mildly. He glanced at Dani, a wicked twinkle in his eyes. She could almost feel the mischief, the idea forming in his brain as he smiled at her. “Luckily I was found by this lovely young lady and rescued.”

That rat bastard. Dani blushed as the two ladies attention turned towards her, the younger one looking at her with worshipping eyes. “You’re a hero...” The young lady whispered.

“It was nothing, really. Just- just an accident of fate.” Dani forced a smile. She was going to get him for this, she didn’t want this kind of attention! But that was the point, wasn’t it? Shit she didn’t want him to be right. She could handle the attention just fine!

“Oh don’t be so modest Lady Dani! Why, I was just this morning talking to my Mother about the best way to show our appreciation for your service to the kingdom. What do you think Lady Isolde? Lady Rebecca?”

“Really there’s no need to do anyth-”

“A ball!” The younger girl said, looking at Wulfram and Dani with barely contained excitement.

“Oh yes, a ball! A ball in her honor! Lady Dani if you’ve never been to a ball you simply must let them give you one in your honor.” The older girl leaned forward, grasping one of Dani’s hands in both of hers. Dani still had no idea which one was Isolde and which one was Rebecca.

She was beginning to feel as if she were caught in a hunters sights! She looked to Reshi for support, but he had made himself scarce. Damnit! She didn’t know how to deal with this by herself! And Mrs. Haversaun seemed far too amused by the situation to be of any help. “I really don’t think that’s necessary.”

“I think it’s a wonderful idea Lady Rebecca!” Wulfram said. “Lord Bennett and I will put the matter before her Highness as soon as we return to the palace..”

“Her full name is Daniella, actually.” Mrs. Haversaun said over the gentle thrum of her machine. “And she will be needing a dress of course. When do you think you’ll have the ball, your Highness?”

Wulfram was silent for a moment, putting a thoughtful hand to his chin. Dani glanced at his bracelet, and touched the fabric of her sleeve to make sure her own was still covered. “One month, I have some business to attend to first, but I am certain I can be back in time for it. Would that be enough time to make her a suitable dress Mrs. Haversaun?”

“I believe I can manage.” Mrs. Haversaun held up the shirt she had been working on, and gave Wulfram a cheeky little wink. “This will have to do for now your Highness, please put on a shirt before you make poor Lady Daniella faint.”

Wulfram took the shirt with a slight bow. “We mustn’t let our hero faint, of course. The palace will be taking care of the expenses of course, I believe I can trust you to ensure her dress is beyond compare.”

“Of course, your Highness.” Mrs. Haversaun smiled at him.

Dani’s mouth hung slightly open as he pulled on his shirt. She couldn’t believe he was doing this! She couldn’t believe that Mrs. Haversaun was encouraging him! And that Reshi had disappeared at exactly the wrong time! He was right there when Wulfram had arrived, but now that she needed him he was gone!

Wulfram turned and met her eyes, his own full of a mischievous delight that she recognized all too well. He gently took her by the chin, leaning in dangerously close as he murmured. “I’ll see you soon, Lady Daniella.”

And just as she thought he was going to actually kiss her, he pulled away, striding out the door with Ben and the healer in tow.