Mia and Anne left Ludwig's office and arrived at the carriage, just as Abel had loaded the last piece of luggage.

"Are you sure you want to go? With the famine, I don't know if this is the best time."

"Ludwig has things under control, and we are visiting Remno because of the famine."

"Yes, but you are leaving Bel all alone..."

"Bel is staying with Anne's family—it's three weeks with Elise—Bel is in heaven!"

"About His Majesty's idea—It might be better to stay here a few weeks. I would like to get to know your father better."

"What's to know? He's the Emperor."

"Well, that's a pretty big deal. But, more than that, he's your father..."

"And, you've met him. Now it's time to meet your parents."

"My parents...I still think this is a bad idea."

"Nonsense! It's your home, and they are your parents..."

"Remno is not that sort of place..."

"I've been to Remno before. Remember? It wasn't so bad. "

"Not so bad? You were almost killed!"

"Oh, that was because of the Serpents. I actually met some very nice people there. Speaking of which, were you able to get word to Muzic that we are visiting Remno? I haven't had a chance to personally thank him for all of his help during the Remno incident."

"I've put the word out. You said he's a hunter, so he could be away from his home for days at a time. I could always have him summoned to the capital."

"Please don't! I want to thank him, not inconvenience him! Let him do his hunting—once your people find him, we will pay him a visit."

"Okay, we'll visit him. Honestly, I would rather spend more time in the countryside, anyway."

"But, the capital is your home, that's where your family is..."

"The capital... it's different...my father is different —he's really not someone I want you to meet..."

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"Ha! You are embarrassed by your father! Don't you know? All parents are embarrassing—even Rafiana is embarrassed by her father—and my father? I can't imagine anything worse! He's sooo embarrassing! You were there for my birthday— the man constructed a fifty-foot-tall sculpture of me—built out of snow! And then he refused to tear the thing down for months! When spring came the entire capital saw a giant me leaking all over the place! I was sooo humiliated!"

"Well, I thought it was very nice of him, and if we ever lucky enough to have a daughter, I just might have a giant snow sculpture built for her!"

Mia looked down and blushed, "You will not."

"Anyway, it's more than being embarrassed, my father is not a very good person, and Remno is not a very good place."

"But, he's your father, and it is your home!"

"Remno is just no place for a woman."

"What! Is it that dangerous? "

"No, not that dangerous..."

"Then..."

"Mia you've met my brother..."

"Yes, he seemed a little disagreeable, but he's really not that bad...is he?"

"He is, and my father is much worse but smart. Well, smart in a devious sort of way... "

"Does he know why we are coming?"

"No, we don't talk much. Though he has shown some interest in me since the swordsmanship tournament and even more so since the incident in Remno."

"So, he does care about you!"

"He cares now that he thinks I can fight! He probably thinks I am becoming like him. That's Gain's job!—I wish that he would just leave me alone!"

"Well, your mother and your sister Clarissa are there."

"Yes, if they weren't there I don't know that I would ever go back. My mother is a saint! She deserves so much better than Remno has to offer. Clarissa is just rotting there. I feel bad for leaving her, but to Gain's credit, he's not too hard on her—at least not since Valentina died."

"Your oldest sister?"

"Yes, she was the only one that could control Gain—almost balance out father's teachings. But, Gain was the first-born prince, there was no way my father was going to lose him to Valentina. But, she protected my sister and me as best she could. It's funny, if I showed any aptitude for the sword at all, I could have turned out like Gain!"

"If you could have turned out like Gain, then Gain could have turned out like you—and you are wonderful!"

Mia then kissed the young Prince on the cheek. With that kiss, the color drained from Gain's face.

"I'm back! Did I miss anything?" Anne smiled as she popped through the carriage door, "Abel, your face seems a little pale. Are you okay?"

"Oh, I am fine. Mia is the one you should worry about. She seems intent on getting herself in dangerous situations with men!"

"Oh, what man should I worry about? I think a prince of the mighty Kingdom of Remno should be able to withstand a kiss on the cheek from his intended!"

"Mia!"

"Oh, hush!" Mia laughed, "Abel knows I tell you everything!"

Now Anne was blushing. "Mia, I am supposed to be your chaperone on this trip. We haven't even left yet, and here you are already stealing kisses! And it looks as if you have gotten Abel upset."

There was no doubting the look of concern on Abel's face. But, it was not from the kiss, but the silent deceleration that came with the kiss. Mia, the saver of lost souls, is going to try to save my brother!

But, Abel knew his brother. Even more, he knew what his father had turned his brother into. No longer the boy that Mia had so deftly defeated in a battle of wits at Saint Noel—Gain was now a twisted mess of a man. The thought of Mia confronting him in Remno terrified him.

And, Abel was right—Gain Remno was not someone that Mia could save.