Nisa and Lyra had now moved into the castle as they had dinner together. Only the stars knew how long their planning would take. The two old friends pondered after every question and looked over every option, and between the two of them, there really wasn't a good way to select possible contenders.

"I know you say that looks don't matter, but I am just saying that making them both pretty and smart will eliminate a good portion of people," Nisa spoke with a half-full mouth as she scarfed down the side of mashed potatoes that was on her plate.

Lyra picked at the flora salad that was on her plate, "I can afford to be a little superficial, I guess."

Nisa watched her friend slowly start to close in on herself; she had been watching the descent all day. She picked up her plate and slowly shuffled over to Lyra, placing herself down next to her. "Let's think about it this way, if we figure out exactly what to do today, you can simply copy the exact wants and needs down to the other Dukes so that this part will go by faster, and you won't need to stress about it any longer."

"Your right, but honestly, I didn't realize how much I would be taking on. I start my lessons tomorrow with my father. This will take up most of my day, and then I have more meetings with the other dukes and then with the advisors. Plus, I will be expected to make a public announcement, then start to start looking at my own advisors privately-" Lyra stopped and put her hands over her face as she took long deep breaths, pinching the bridge of her nose between her two hands. She moved one hand down after a moment, leaving the other to massage the part between her eyebrows with her thumb and pointer finger.

"Lyra, do you trust me?" Nisa asked, placing her hand on her friend's shoulder.

Lyra looked over at Nisa to see an earnest face, "I do."

"Then let me take this over for you; you can tell everyone that it was your idea. Let me lighten the load a little, and you can focus on your duties until you meet them."

"I cannot-"

"You can; if you release a bit of control over to me, I promise I can help you here. You will still do everything; you need to. I will take over the planning. I know what you like, and I know the general idea of what you will need to help you lead this Kingdom. Please, Lyra, let me do this part for you?"

She was silent for some time, thinking over the pros and cons; if she let Nisa take over, then she wouldn't have to worry about this any longer. That didn't sound so hard, and she could relax a little before things got too stressful.

"You have my permission; do what you can remember; father has made this whole thing into a big show, so make it flashy whatever you do."

"Lyra, Princess of Calipyre, you have my word. That as you very best of friends, I will not let you down."

The two finished their dinner talking and gossiping, as now Lyra wasn't thinking about what to do. In her opinion, the next few hours were quite joyful to her; it was just what she needed in the week she had.

Nisa saw herself to one of the guest rooms in the castle while Lyra trudged her way up the steps. When she heard something whisper from behind the corner, she stopped and peeked around the stone wall to be met with a pair of gorgeous green eyes.

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"There is my lovely Princess," his voice drew out in perfect cords.

Lyra whipped her head around to see if anyone was in the area; when she saw there was no one, she took a step off the stairs, wrapping her arms around Sasha's waist. "It is dangerous for you to be seen with me, you know that."

"I'm aware, but I have the perfect excuse for you. Come with me on a walk, please," he pulled slightly on her to coax her to follow him.

Lyra was still wide awake; she followed the Knight out into the courtyards. When they got to the busier section, Sasha took a step away from her. The two made their way across the darkened area of the castle towards the horse stable; Lyra passes a few glances over to Sasha, who gave her a smile and nothing more.

"What is your plan, dear knight?" Lyra asked as they reached the stable as a soft glow of lantern light was still inside.

Sasha gently hushed her, "You will see, just play along." he opened the door and walked in; Lyra stayed back for a moment. Watching what he was doing.

He walked up to the stable master, and the two spoke for a brief time, Sasha gestured over to Lyra once, and then the conversation stopped. The two men walked away from each other, Sasha back to Lyra, and the Stablemaster went into the saddle closet coming out with two saddles, one under each arm.

"I told him the Princess wish to go on a night ride." Sasha leaned into Lyra's ear so that only she would hear.

Lyra smirked, "I am not in the best dress for horse riding,"

"But, you don't have to be in the dress for long if you preferred." he wrapped his fingers around her hip and squeeze a bit, before letting go and returning to his acting guard position a foot away from her.

"We shall see my dear Knight,"

The stable Master worked quickly and had two of Royal riding mare up and ready for them, in what seemed to Lyra like no time at all. She was helped up onto her personal mare, Jessbel, and Sasha was given white and grey spotted mare that was generally used in parades and other things.

Jessbel was one of the larger riding mares, standing at 17.1 hands. She was gifted to Lyra when she was two years old, this was on Lyra's 18th birthday. At the time they didn't believe the mare would get much bigger as her Sire stood at 15.7 hands and her dam at 15.1.

Lyra leaned down and petted the side of Jessbel's neck as they started. Sasha had put her in front when they left, as she was supposed to be the one who wanted to go for a late-night ride, and not him.

"Are you going to tell me why you brought me out here?" Lyra asked after they were well out of earshot from anyone else.

He rode up next to her before answering, "I know you've been stressed, with your choosing coming up I figured a night out of the castle would help."

Lyra's head whipped over, "How do you know about the choosing?"

"Servants talk."

"I see, that needs to get a grip on before they gossip about something they should not" Lyra made a mental note to speak with her father about their servants' loose lips. "I was going to tell you about it myself, but it seems since I do not have the ability to, I guess all I can ask is, your not upset?"

Sasha shook his head as if he was prepared for her to ask this question, "Lyra, I knew who you were on our first meeting. I knew some things wouldn't be avoidable, you may not marry me, I like to believe I have your heart, rather you say it or not."

Lyra really didn't know what to say, she had avoided the words I Love You with this Knight for the past two years. Yet, he has surely said them to her as Octavia said that morning. Was she in Love? What the hell was that word anyway? Was it just fairytale myths or was it different, was there anything close to it?

"I care for you, so much Sasha. In a way you could say you have my heart, you do my affection and the ability to steal my time and it not be a waste."

That is what she could give him, the truth, but maybe it did have a name, though she couldn't wrap her mind around it being love.

"If that is your highest praise I will accept it, if not then I will work for whatever that is," he said before stopping them and turning their horses down a path. It was fairly dark and all Lyra had was the light of the moons to guide her vision, but even with that, she could see that this path was rough, and not kept up. Though signs of it still being used, although very rarely was there. Soon the path narrowed and Sasha had to take lead, leaving Lyra behind him so she could stare at his hair that was flowing just past his collar line. "We are almost there," he said turning his head slightly, catching her staring at him, "See something you like Princess?"

"I suppose I do,"