After finishing dinner, Fengari dragged Ghost from her chambers to participate in their daily walk around the palace. The princeling claimed it was a good way for her to make herself familiar with her home while avoiding being around too many people. He knew she became nervous around strangers.

The Light above them was dim due to the lateness of the hour, a clever way to tell time in a world without a sun. With the Light dimming, servants scuttled about lighting candles and torches so as to continue their chores in the darkness. Ghost imagined that Martha had already gone to her chambers and lit candles for her return. Ghost was not the biggest fan of the flames or the light they brought. She always felt as though someone watched her through them. She preferred the darkness that was always present beneath her bed. Always safe. Always waiting.

The two of them walked in their usual manner. Fengari talked of his duties for the day and the training his father had forced upon him. Ghost only listened to his ramblings with a contented gaze. These talks were the only conversations she'd had with anyone other than Martha—who did not particularly care too much for her. She's always enjoyed hearing Fengari's tales of his instructor scolding him and was even graced with a few good bits of gossip here and there. Despite not being able to put faces to the names he listed off, she found the drama entertaining to say the least.

Fengari loved to tell her things of little importance. She could still remember the devilish look on his face when he'd told her Lady Jaelin had been caught alone with a servant boy. The golden-haired prince relished in the downfall of his peers especially when the story it provided him was interesting enough to share with the Ghost. He knew how she loved stories.

He'd been sharing another of his famous tales when they walked past a pair of maids going about their daily duties. Ghost didn't miss the way they had stared at the prince or the way their faces flushed with color when he glanced their way. They both offered a lazy bow to him, giggling behind the wadded sheets in their arms. Fengari didn't acknowledge them, too caught up in intricately weaving the tale of how he was sure that Lord Blah Blah and his maidservant were bedding each other.

The prince's handsomeness was not lost on her. Even though she hadn't seen many male faces, she always knew Fengari's was above average. His slim face and soft features were enough to catch anyone's eye. The paleness of his skin only served to highlight the silver-blue of his eyes and the soft pink of his lips. His golden hair had grown a bit longer since their first encounter. The once short, combed back style was now gone, golden hair now brushing against the tops of his ears and curling ever so slightly at the base of his neck.

Ghost had once read a word that described the dejected royal wonderfully—Ethereal. She was glad that she was not the only one who had thought so.  Every woman that they'd ever passed on their daily walks seemed to stop and admire the prince for a few moments. Even she had found her gaze lingering on his perfectly shaped mouth far too long for it to be deemed a "friendly glance".

She'd thought of kissing him once. The thought was short-lived. She'd stomped on the notion and thrown it out the window of her bedchambers. Fengari was a prince. She was his ward. She had already been so lucky to come to this place—to have the life she had. Asking for anything more would be far too selfish. She knew her place and she knew Feng's.  He was royalty and, even though he had lost the throne upon his cousin's birth, he still had responsibilities. His Assigned would be a woman of noble birth—a Bluecoat or even a Blackcoat. Fengari would marry someone who could give him everything. He would be with someone as beautiful as he was and, together, they would make beautiful babies and bring more Blackcoats into The Under. Ghost would not be that woman.

She had come to accept that, though. She was even content with it. Her relationship with the prince was something she was not worthy of, but she was glad to have it. Their daily talks were something she looked forward to (Even if she would never let him know that) and she found herself enjoying the constant sound of his voice. His presence had always been comforting.

"You aren't even listening to me, are you?"

She blinked, being pulled from her thoughts. Fengari gave her an annoyed look, though a hint of amusement played on his lips. He'd caught her. She hadn't been listening to him. "Typical." He shoved his hands in his pockets. "I guess I won't tell you the big news, then."

Ghost's brows jumped. Big news? It was more than likely another dramatic retelling of the same stories with different characters. Fengari's idea of "big news" was the court jester getting fired for messing around with a Lady Blackcoat. She highly doubted this would be anything other than an over exaggeration.

The prince seemed to sense her doubt as he said, "It's not what you're thinking, I promise you. This time it really is big news." He paused, smiling widening. "And it involves you."

Now, he had her interest. She stared at him, silently urging him to continue on. "Oh no no. You can't be bothered to listen to what I have to say." She rolled her eyes. He was going to drag this out for as long as possible.

She pulled her parchment from her dress pocket. Don't be so dramatic.

"Now, you insult me? I'm really not telling you now."

            If you don't tell me, I'll leave you standing here alone.

He only chuckled at that. "As if I'd believe that. You know you enjoy my company far too much to do that." He was right. She hated that.

            I'd enjoy it even more if you weren't such a pain.

Fengari sent her a wink. "It is my unmatched pleasure to annoy you, Lady Ghost." She had no trouble believing that. None in the slightest. Fengari had always gone out of his way to make her wriggle. "I suppose I could find it within my heart of gold to tell you," He paused, "But, you must promise me that you'll sleep on the mattress tonight. Poor Martha deserves to wash sheets that have been slept in for once."

She hesitated for a few moments. Deal.

Feng flashed her the smile that would have made any maiden swoon then continued to speak. "I'm sure you're aware that the Winter Solstice is approaching, yes?" She was. "Well, my uncle has decided that we should celebrate this year's bountiful harvest with a ball."

The white-haired girl frowned at the word. Ball. She hated those things. There were always so many people. They always seemed to circle around one another with the same conversations and false smiles on their faces. They all reeked of alcohol and sweat. Unhappy Assigned couples would flirt with the servants and a fight would always end up breaking out. Balls were crowded and noisy and Ghost wanted nothing to do with them. She was glad to not have been invited to one in years.

"Everyone is to attend," Feng continued, "Even some Redcoats will be allowed off duty for that night just to partake in the revels. I suppose my uncle has always been a kind like that; letting the rabble participate in games of nobles."

She sent him a frown. Redcoats are technically nobles too.

He snorted. "Redcoats are as noble as a Blind is insightful. They exist only to serve the king. They're glorified toys—marching around with no real duties to attend to. The only thing that makes them different from Unnamed is the red on their coats and even that has limited value. Amongst the Coats, they are the lowest ranking and that is because they have no real purpose." He tapped his chin as if in thought. "If I were to guess, I'd say the only reason they exist is because Aeron had an extra stone in his armor, and he didn't want it to go to waste."

Ghost rolled her eyes, shaking her head. Redcoats were a bit lazy, sure, but they had served their purpose already. They protected the king from any dangers. It seemed to her that, if the king was not under constant attack, then the Redcoats were doing their job quite effectively. Elic—the first Redcoat—was given the ruby from Helen because he had fought the most fiercely against the usurpers. His bravery was what got Aeron into the throne room so that he may kill the False King. The Under was happy under Queen Laena and King Solomon but that did not mean the Redcoats were unnecessary. Unlike Watchmen who patrolled the streets and broke apart the occasional barfight, Redcoats were trained to take on the most deadly of threats—The Blind.

Ghost had only ever read tales of the monstrous creatures that roamed in The Empty. Like her, they had grown in the dark—lived in it. Her books said that the blind were creatures with pale, moist skin that slithered through the Empty with ease. Their eyes had become useless in the black, so they relied solely on their hearing and smell, but that did not make them any less dangerous. Their claws were sharp enough to slice a man clean in half. Their teeth were sharpened on the bones of their victims. They were creatures of herds and always travelled together. Some stories had said they were like a white shadow, for they moved so swiftly and quietly that, by the time anyone had sensed their presence, it was too late.

"Of course, with the ball being such a big deal, the king had called my cousin back from Pilgrimage." Ghost sent the prince a surprised look. "Yes, it looks like the Golden Prince will be returned from his journey a bit earlier than expected. I'm sure Laena is simply overcome with glee."

Ilios would be coming back? So soon? He'd only begun his Pilgrimage three months ago.  He was supposed to be back no earlier than six months. All future kings were to take the trip to travel through The Empty and study The Light—reflect on themselves and prepare for bearing the onyx crown. Six months was the expected term. Why would Solomon call Ilios back so soon? Surely it was not for some silly party.

            Did you speak to the king?

Feng nodded. "I advised him against such a swift return, but he would hear none of it. He insisted that Ilios had been gone long enough. He believes his son is more than ready to take up the crown." He ran a hand through his sun-touched hair. "Even my father did not protest it. I suppose my being so against it made me come off as a bit biased."

Ghost used her elbow to offer a slight nudge of encouragement. Perhaps the king could have Martha attend to Ilios. I'm sure that her nagging would have him back in The Empty within a day.

Fengari laughed and Ghost ignored the warmth that spread through her chest at the sound. "I suppose you're right, but if that were to happen, who else but me would scold you for sleeping under the bed? I cannot take on such a foe alone." His silver eyes glittered, and his pale fingers wrapped around her wrist. "Speaking of not facing foes alone...I'd like you to come. To the ball. With me."

She snatched her hand away from him, head shaking profusely as if to say, "Absolutely not." Feng pouted. Pouted. "Oh, do grow a backbone, would you?"

She scribbled. This coming from the prince who does not wish to face his younger cousin alone.

Fengari shrugged his shoulders. "I do not fear Ilios, only the kind of company he keeps. I imagine the boy will have three girls on his arm by the evening's end. Light above! He may even come into the palace with an Unnamed wench! Would that not be something? I could see the look on my aunt's face. She would be so delightfully livid."

            Is Ilios truly that bad?

"Ah. I had forgotten you'd never met him."

            I've met him.

"One five-minute encounter three years ago does not count. You did not get to see the Golden Prince in all of his arrogant, whoring glory."

            Believe me, his arrogance was quite present in that encounter.

She wasn't lying. The Ghost had met Ilios in the kitchens by chance. She accidentally stumbled upon him stuffing his face with sweet cakes. He'd threatened to execute her if she did not swear to not tell the queen of his exploits. She's made a fool of herself trying to sputter out the words he asked to hear, only managing to gurgle out a few, mumbled syllables. He called her a "slow-witted Unnamed" and left without another word. She was glad to see him go, and she never ventured to the kitchens alone again.

"So, you know of his exhausting personality." Fengari grabbed her hand again, placing her palm against his pale cheek. "That must mean that you will be more than happy to help me face this unspeakable evil. Like the Light-blessed angel you are."

Ghost deadpanned at the golden-haired prince's attempt to flatter her. His skin was warm against her hand, but she'd think about that later. For now, she had a wordless battle to win.

            I don't have anything to wear.

"The ball is a ways away. I'll have something made for you."

            You know how I get around people.

"You'll stay by me the whole night."

            What if people try speaking to me?

"I'll do all the talking."

            I don't want to go.     

"Neither do I."

            Why me?

Her question seemed to surprise him. An unsure smile pulled on the corners of his lips. "Who else would be better to listen for any juicy gossip than my own, personal Ghost?" He leaned closer and lowered his voice to a whisper. "Besides, I'd be hard pressed to find another ghoul as pretty as you in my lifetime. May as well show you off a bit, hm?"

Hercoffee-colored cheeks flushed, and she sent a warning glare to the royal. Hewas messing with her. She'd like to smack that lopsided grin off of hisstupidly handsome face. She'd love to see how pretty he would be wanderingaround the palace with a black eye.