“You’ve lost your mind.” Wulfram stared at himself in the mirror, bracing himself against the wash basin. “Gone stark raving mad.”

It didn’t help that he was talking to himself right now, but who could he tell about this? Ben? He’d laugh his ass off. His parents? What would their reaction be? Likely to get him to settle down with a proper lady, a princess perhaps from one of the neighboring kingdoms. He let out a laugh at that and raked a hand through his hair. They had already tried once, and if it weren’t for a tragic twist of fate he’d already be married to one of the Hesiodos’ princesses. “You barely know her.”

He looked down at the bracelet, the blue gem glowing innocently up at him. With a small laugh he turned and headed for his closet, throwing open the doors and digging into it for the worst of his training clothes. This was crazy and fool-hardy too, but he wanted to see what her life was like. He wanted to make sure she was being taken care of.

He grabbed his scruffiest clothes and started to change, taking the opportunity to check on his wound. Had it really only been a couple of days? The pain had faded to a dull throb, the healing encouraged by the palace healers. His nose wasn’t even bruised anymore, and the cut on his head was gone completely. He had to wonder if Dani was healing as well. Probably not, perhaps he should have a healer see her while she was here. But no, Mrs. Haversaun was still expecting her back today.

It was like having a stern parent watching over them. Wulfram thought of Reshi, and let out a small snort. He was a stern parent if he ever saw one! But then, fathers were often protective of their daughters. He folded his normal clothes and shoved them into a spare pack. He didn’t want any trouble getting back into the palace when he was done with this little trip. He could always change at Mrs. Haversaun’s when they were done.

He chuckled as he shouldered the pack, pausing to look at himself in the mirror. His sword was plain enough that it could pass for a commoners blade, or at least a mercenaries blade, and his clothes were well made but certainly not in the best style, and stained from hours training and sleeping on the hard ground when he was traveling with the troops. He flashed a grin at himself and headed out the door, nearly running straight into his mother in the hallway.

“What in the name of Aster are you wearing?” She gasped, a hand flying up to her mouth.

“Mother!” He stumbled to a halt, eyes widening. What if she saw Dani? He cleared his throat and straightened, trying his best not to look like a child caught doing something naughty. “I was merely going to do some- I mean I was going to go-” His face turned red, and he put a hand to his face. He wasn’t one to lie to his mother! She had raised him better than that, but what would she say to his plan?

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“Wulfram, calm down. Is everything alright?” Concern flashed across her face, and she reached out a hand to lightly touch his arm. “I don’t believe I’ve ever seen you so tounge-tied!”

“Everything is fine Mother, I promise.” Wulfram lowered his hand and let out a sigh. “I’m going to the Tangle, and this outfit seemed less conspicuous than my normal clothes.”

“You’re what? Why in the world would you do such a thing?” Mirabel stared at him in shock. Even her personal maid, a quiet shadow just a step behind her, looked a little shocked, and it was hard to shake her.

“I’m going to go get lunch with- well, with a friend. And while I’m there I’m going to look at the state of affairs there.” It was the truth, even if it wasn’t entirely the truth.

“You’re going to get lunch? In the Tangle? Wulfram surely you and your friend could eat better and safer here! I can have the cooks whip you up whatever you’d like.”

“No offense, but your cooks can’t beat my friend Therija’s cinnamon raisin rolls. Are you ready to go Wulf?” Dani’s voice came from behind him, and he silently cursed. Damn the woman’s timing! His mother looked like she had seen a ghost! He turned to look at Dani, letting her see some of his annoyance. She was leaning casually against the doorframe to her room, a glass of wine in one hand, brown hair spilling over her shoulder. How much had she had to drink already? He hadn’t been gone that long!

“Lady Daniella, I would like you to meet my Mother, Queen Mirabel.” He said, fighting not to show exactly how irritated he was.

Dani’s eyes widened, and she actually had the grace to blush. “Uhm- sorry. But it’s still true. It’s a pleasure to meet you though your highness. Er.. queenship? Ma’am?”

Wulfram put a hand over his face, letting out a sigh. “Your highness is the correct honorific. Mother, this is Lady Daniella, the one who saved me.”

“Daniella....” Mirabel breathed, and reached out to take one of Dani’s hands in both of hers. “Oh my dear, you look beautiful. Thank you so much for saving my son.”

Dani blushed deeper, but smiled awkwardly. “No problem, really. He helped save me too, don’t suppose he told you about the skeletons?”

Wulfram looked up in surprise as his mother laughed. It wasn’t one of her polite laughs either, but a soft, genuine one. “He did mention something about those, yes. But my dear, you’re staying in the Tangle? How in the world did you end up there?”

“It’s where my family is.” Dani shrugged. “I have to get back to work soon, but I’ll ask Wulfram to bring you back a cinnamon roll, you’ll see how good they are.”

“Would you mind bringing back four of them? I have two daughters and a husband that all have sweet tooths. And you should invite your family here sometime so we can treat them.” Mirabel smiled warmly, both Wulfram and her maid looking at the pair in puzzlement.

What was going on? Was this just because Dani had saved his life? “Mother, are you alright?”

“Better than alright. I’m happy to finally meet you Daniella. You two be careful, alright? I wouldn’t want either of you getting hurt.” Mirabel let go of Dani’s hands, carefully taking her wine glass and passing it to her maid. “Go on you two, have fun.”

Have fun? Wulfram stared at his mother for a moment, then bent down to kiss her cheek. “Yes Mother, I’ll see you in a short while?”

“Yes, we’ll talk when you get back if you have time. I know you have last minute preparations before you go on your trip. Now if you two would excuse me.” Mirabel nodded to them both, and headed down the hall, her skirts flowing behind her.

What had just happened?