The rickety carriage thumped along the road, as Matthew and Stephanie jumbled around on the inside. Stephanie hit her head on the roof, landing with a thump. Matthew steadied her, clearly worried.

"Are you alright?" He asked.

Stephanie brushed the dirt off her sleeve. "I'm fine. I'm just not used to this, that's all."

"So, that girl in the village, the one who looked like you, what was her name?" Asked Matthew.

"Christina. Lovely girl. She's a hard worker. And a beautiful singer, too. Turns out, she was Skip's original owner, too!" Stephanie said, looking out the window.

"Does she have something to do with the... barking thing then?" Matthew asked. Stephanie gave him a scolding look, and somehow, Skip did too. "Sorry! I just... can't wrap my head around it yet." Matthew laughed it off. "I'll say this, though. I think you two are still the perfect match, barking or not." He smiled at her. Stephanie smiled back. This is when they were both at their happiest, together.

Both of them desperately wanted to lean in, to even try to kiss. Maybe some convenient rock would cut it short, and they would come back to their senses, like it happens in all the stories. But duty held them both back, and instead, they just sat apart and looked awkward.

After a long and uncomfortable ride, Matthew snuck Stephanie back into the castle, giggling the whole time. Unfortunately, they were stopped by a guard. This one was especially ruthless, with little patience, and little mercy, but with a heart of pure honor, and a mind yearning for justice. The first thing he saw in the carriage was Matthew, who often took trips down the the village, so he remained unfazed, until he saw the hooded girl in the carriage with him. Bringing visitors, now that was uncommon, not to mention a breach of security.

"Oi!" Shouted the guard. Matthew and Stephanie looked to each other, their eyes wide with panic. If he found out that Matthew had brought her down to the village, Stephanie would probably end up locked in her room until the wedding, and Matthew would surely be dismissed. But then Matthew had an idea. Stephanie was dressed in a peasant's clothes. As long as she kept her head down and her hood drawn, he could pass her off as a new maid or something along those lines.

Matthew leaned over and whispered to her. "Just follow my lead, and keep your head down." Stephanie nodded. Matthew got out of the carriage and extended his hand to her, helping her out. The whole time, Stephanie watched the ground move under her feet.

"Matthew. Who is this?" Asked the guard.

"Um, she's my..." Matthew paused. She's my what?  "Sister." He finally spat out.

"You have a sister?" The guard raised an eyebrow. From what he knew, Matthew was a loyal, noble man, not the type to keep secrets, yet he had never mentioned a sister.

"In-law." Matthew added on. "She was looking for a job, so I spoke to the cook. He might have something for her."

"Ah, of course. And what is your name, miss?" Asked the guard.

Stephanie panicked again. What was she going to say? What if he recognized her voice? She searched her mind for anything, until she latched onto the one name she could find. "Christina." She said quietly.

"Pleasure to meet you, Miss Christina. Go ahead." He let them pass. As soon as Matthew and Stephanie got back to her room, they burst out into laughter.

They stayed that way for a couple for hours, too.