“Is everything well, ladies?” Junia asked as they returned to the table. It had taken them a little longer than expected to clean up, but no suspicions were aroused, that they knew of at least.

“Aye,” Kat answered as she slid back into her seat. “Rosalyn’s got a heavy time o’ the moon. Bit earlier than normal.”

“Oh dear, do you need anything, Rosalyn?” Junia asked. “We can get you a change if you need better clothing.”

“No, no, it’s fine,” Rosalyn said. “The servants were nice enough to get me something to help with it, and they were super nice about cleaning things and letting us have privacy and all that. Never had anything or anyone that’d help with that and just kinda dealt with it on my own for a while. This is really weird, but in a good way? But also really awkward because now people know and I just… um,” Rosalyn trailed off, fidgeting as she blushed. “Sorry, Your Highness. Too many details.”

“You, Rosalyn, are dating my sister. Why start calling me Your Highness now?”

“This all kinda reminded me of how different and big all this is and you are, and Kat is, and Ann is, and just, made me feel really small again and I gotta be polite to the important folk, that’s just good manners, but also survival because don’t know which ones are gonna be the bad sort that take offense easily and make things harder for us small folk.”

Junia processed the flood of words, then nodded. “It is not an attitude I wish to encourage, but one necessity has instilled into the common folk that. Would it be that history was more fair, but that is not our life. Regardless, you are a peer to most now, as long as you are in a relationship with Katlyn. It may take time for others to adjust and accept you, but they should in time.”

“And the ones that don’t? Cause I’ll be honest, Junia, I’m real scared of a few of them and the power that they have could cause so many problems for my family that I can’t do anything about if I get on their bad side and I feel like just being Kat’s girlfriend is begging for that not to mention what’s coming up with Ann.”

“Hey,” Ann said. “Quiet about that, love. Still, you’re right. I worry about it too when I’m reminded how important we are just for existing.”

“Right? I’m a farm girl and a recluse. What am I doing at a ball for all the important families in the kingdom?”

“Ye are me girlfriend, an’ that’s all the justification ye feckin’ need,” Kat huffed.

Rosalyn wilted in her seat as Kat forcefully tried to encourage her.

“Kat, come on,” Ann chided the princess. “Not the way.” Reaching over, she pulled Rosalyn out of her seat and onto her lap. It was a laborious task with the woman’s many skirts, but Ann was determined to make it work. Once Rosalyn was secure, she wrapped her arms around the woman’s front in a tight hug, and leaned her chin on the top of her head, nestled in the white floof of her hair. “You are stressing out and need to relax.” Dropping her voice to a whisper, she continued. “More than just fucking lets you.”

Just in time, servants appeared with plates covered in domed silver lids, sliding them gently onto tables. As one, they removed the covers and stepped away. The main dish was served.

“And what better way to relax than to get something to eat?”

“Ye can say that again. Gods, this looks delicious,” Kat moaned as she looked at the meal.

It was a complicated dish. At the centre was a round of meat that looked something like a steak. Frilled around it were thin slices of potato, carrots, and other root vegetables. Artfully drizzled over was a creamy sauce that provided a pleasant contrast to the red meat and black plates the dinner was served on. Eight cherry tomatoes were placed at the edges, one to each cardinal direction, and to the intermediate directions. Overall, it was hearty and looked absolutely mouthwatering. Ann had to hold herself back from drooling in Rosalyn’s hair.

“Babe, I love you, but I’m hungry after, um, the bathroom,” Ann whispered.

“Oh, right. Sorry, sorry,” Rosalyn said meekly, gathering her skirts. “I’ll get out of the way.”

Ann felt her stomach twist, recognising those words for what they were. Rosalyn was still feeling small. “Nope. You’re staying right where you are, and I’m gonna treat you like a princess,” Ann declared.

“’Scuse me?” Kat asked around a mouthful of steak.

“Like a refined princess,” Ann shot back. “One that needs to be pampered.”

“Ye know? Normally I’d say I need pamperin’ too, but ye take enough care o’ that.”

“What’s the point of being with a princess if you don’t see to her needs?” Ann teased. “But no, you’re staying here, and that’s final.”

Ann reached over and pulled Rosalyn’s plate closer, then cut a piece of steak and speared it, a slice of potato, and a tomato with a fork. She brought the fork up to Rosalyn, who accepted the food obediently. Ann felt her heart swell as the Druid in her lap made happy noises while she chewed. Slowly, tense shoulders released, and Rosalyn sat back against Ann’s chest, nestling there in her safe spot. The position has almost become a habit for both Kat and Ann to comfort the nervous woman, and they’d unconsciously started trading off who was responsible by the day. Kat had been doing a lot the previous day, and this situation was something Ann was more comfortable with, so she took the responsibility. Rosalyn remained mostly unaware besides the fact that it felt good. It’s not like it was a bad thing, on the contrary, it calmed Kat and Ann down as much as it did Rosalyn.

Ann took her own fork and cut a larger piece of steak off. The meat was gamey but was tender and juicy, seasoned with salt and herbs. She chewed happily at it, Waheela growling in the back of her head at not getting any, and continued feeding her girlfriend.

They were left blissfully alone for a while, allowing the three of them to reset themselves emotionally. Bren and Lucia walked over before Bren decided he wanted to go dancing. Lucia, not the type, let him wander, and stalked over to a corner to watch the goings on.

Ann’s thoughts wandered to the Thrundol. She was a keen creature, focused and blunt. Over the night, she’d shown a bit more emotion, though most of that was fury. Still, her pride was wounded, and she’d trusted Ann to be the one to make things right. Well, technically Bren had made that decision, but Lucia hadn’t protested whatsoever. Ann figured, though Lucia probably wouldn’t say anything, that they’d gotten over their initial misgivings. Hopefully now they could work towards actually being friends. What being friends with Lucia meant was a whole other question that wasn’t right for dinner.

They finished up, Kat leaning over to wipe Rosalyn’s mouth and give Ann a quick kiss before sitting back in her chair. “That was tasty,” she sighed. “Got the best flavorin’ too.”

“What’s that?” Ann asked.

“Yer lips.”

Ann felt her cheeks burn as Kat gave her a lazy grin. Rosalyn giggled in her lap, and she used the woman’s fluffy hair to hide her face. Damn Kat being such a flirt. That was Ann’s job.

“She got you real good,” Rosalyn chortled. “Bout time you get made the blushing beauty.”

“Not blushing!” Ann protested. Yes, she was. No, she wouldn’t admit it.

“Then look at me,” Kat prodded.

“No thank you,” Ann grumbled.

“C’mon, just a li’l?” Kat asked again, reaching a hand over to rub Ann’s back.

That wasn’t helping, and Ann knew Kat was doing it on purpose. It wasn’t until that hand reached up and rubbed an ear that she broke. Stifling a moan, she glared at Kat. “Not in public!”

“Ah, but ye are blushin’,” Kat laughed. “Sorry, just had tae see that face. Gods, ye’re pretty when ye’re flustered.”

“You’re pretty,” Ann grumbled in far from her best retort, hiding in Rosalyn’s hair again. Why was she all bashful suddenly? Normally, she’d be beaming at all this. Something about the night, or what they’d just done? Yeah, probably just aftereffects of blowing Rosalyn’s back out a few minutes ago. Definitely.

“You’re shaking,” Rosalyn said, still wrapped up in Ann’s arms. “You alright?”

“Dunno. Just all embarrassed, I guess,” Ann said. “So maybe just nerves or something?”

“You? Nerves?” Rosalyn asked incredulously. “You’ve been unflappable all night, and this is what gets you nervous?”

“If unflappable counts pure anger, sure,” Ann muttered.

“Anger at someone being awful to your friends is not a bad thing to show. Don’t you go beating yourself up about that.”

“I know. Just picking at your argument by habit. Don’t worry about me,” Ann said with a sigh, sitting up. “Think I just relaxed a little and my guard went down.”

“Not a bad thing. It’s already been a busy night,” Kat said.

“How busy is this for a ball?”

“Busier than most,” Junia said, joining the conversation by bringing her chair over. “You five are quite the instigators, despite not doing anything here yourselves. Who would have thought that Bren, of all people, would be the centre of such a commotion?”

“Sis, ye remember he was with me fer all me fiascos?” Kat reminded her.

“Yes, but he always had a level head. I do believe Lucia is corrupting him slightly, and for the better. Have they had hints of more than just friends?”

“Frustratingly not,” Ann said. “You have no idea how much I’ve been teasing them about it, but Bren just sandbags me. I can feel the chemistry oozing off those two, but they just won’t listen to anything about it.”

“Hopefully, they do not deny themselves for too long. A lady can only wait for so long before she moves on,” Junia said. “Krisnaal keeps telling me that this is truth, but patience should be espoused. A strange conundrum. Oh, that’s a business partner I’ve been meaning to speak with. Sorry to run so quickly,” Junia nodded, then bustled off.

“Should we be gettin’ tae talkin’?”

“Isn’t that what we’re doing?” Rosalyn asked, taking a deep drink of her wine.

“Yeah, well, I want to dance again,” Ann decided. “Is the music going to start up again?”

As if on cue, the musicians reappeared on their stage and began inspecting their instruments.

“That answers that. Guess dessert is a more casual course, yeah?”

“Aye, they’ll serve as ye wish, or ye can just grab it off the tables. No rush on that,” Kat said.

“Then I’m dancing,” Ann declared. Carefully, she set Rosalyn down and stood, stretching her legs and paws, feeling her claws scrape the tile. Her tail wagged happily behind her as she turned and bowed low to Rosalyn. “My darling, may I have this dance?”

Rosalyn’s eyes went wide a moment before her smile hit her face. She nodded quickly and curtsied back. “Yeah! I mean, um, definitely? Of course? How the heck do I respond?” she whispered.

“All of those were perfect,” Ann said, offering her hand. Rosalyn took it happily, and they made their way out to the floor.

Other couples or pairs were there as well, arranged in small clusters around the floor. Beautiful dresses and slick suits shone in the crystalline light of the massive chandelier above them. Ann looked around, then guided Rosalyn to a group that looked innocuous enough to not cause problems. No glares or sneers, just glances of curiosity from these folk. Muffled conversation met Ann’s fluffy ears, and she heard interested whispers, but nothing malicious.

The strings kicked the song off with a long, high note, then burst into a flurry of notes. Ann started with some basic steps, but after a few moments, noticed that the other dancers were performing a very specific dance. It wasn’t long before she picked up the steps and guided Rosalyn through them.

Rosalyn was a clumsy dancer. She stepped on Ann’s toes more than once, apologising profusely each time. Ann just laughed and reassured the nervous woman every time she did. Yeah, it hurt, but she was having too much fun to let it be a downer. Rosalyn’s face was a mask of adorable focus as she tried to learn the dance as quickly as she could.

Suddenly a note played, and the pairs split, then joined with new partners. Ann wasn’t ready for that, so just kept dancing with Rosalyn for now.

“Oooh, I don’t wanna,” Rosalyn groaned as the song progressed through familiar notes, approaching the switch again.

“You’ll be fine, love. Just come back to me after this swap, alright? Try talking to the people. They seem nice from what I’ve heard.”

“Yeah, but what if I step on them?”

“You’re new to all of this, and they should know that. If they get grumpy, that’s their problem. And if they make it your problem, then it’s my problem,” Ann growled. “Got it?”

“Yeah. Got it. Don’t start fights,” Rosalyn said.

“I won’t,” Ann reassured. “Now, get ready.”

A few more seconds, and they whirled apart, Rosalyn’s fingers lingering in Ann’s hand before momentum split them. Ann found a woman spinning her way, as well as a man. Yeah, she was here to network, but who’d turn down a dance with a pretty woman? Certainly not her.

Ann caught the woman’s hand and pulled her into position, chests meeting as they gauged each other. She was a little taller than Rosalyn, with purple and white hair. As Ann took her in, a third arm reached around her hips, holding on. Otherwise, the woman was a pretty normal human with brown eyes and a darker complexion. She was busty, but not overly so, with narrow hips and long legs for her build.

“Apologies, Lady Kronforst,” the woman smiled up at Ann. “I realise the extra arm can be unnerving if you’re not prepared.”

The music continued, and they continued into the dance.

“Yeah. I didn’t even notice it on your way over,” Ann laughed. “It works?”

“As good as my other two,” the woman laughed. “Healers were apparently in a tizzy when I was born, trying to figure out if it was a problem. Thankfully, it was fully functional, and now I get to hear all the jokes about needing an extra hand!”

“Ugh, that sounds like a drag,” Ann groaned. “May I have your name?”

“Oh, my manners, excuse me. Olivia Forgold.”

Ann tensed. A relative of Arthur? Had to be with that name and this context.

“Relax,” Olivia said. “I’m not here to spy for my cousin. His work is his, and mine, mine.”

“Surprised to hear that after what I’ve read,” Ann said, trying to maintain a cordial tone. “Heard you all are pretty close. Didn’t think you’d be all friendly with someone he considers trash.”

Olivia rolled her eyes. “Quick to judgement, Arthur. I will say he has a good nose for value, though he has been wrong before. That question is partially why I engaged in this dance, Lady Kronforst. He spoke of your encounter before word became official. Some Vulhardrin hanging on to the princess. I would have made the same judgement, but with less… forward commentary. Clearly, I find him mistaken. You and Lady Losenska seem to be a functional pairing for Princess Katlyn. Your feat rescuing the citizens from the Seed are to be commended. Have you heard? The trial concluded the other day, and the execution is scheduled later this week.”

“Not gonna lie, I hadn’t heard,” Ann said, spinning Olivia as they continued to dance. “Was it just the big guy, or the whole group?”

“Two of the group will face the Queen’s justice. They were found complicit in the falsification of the records and conspiracy to defraud the Crown, leading to the deaths of multiple innocents. Will you be attending?”

“No. Not my thing, and not Rosalyn’s either,” Ann admitted.

“Hm. Country folk wouldn’t get it. High entertainment, an execution. Everyone shows up. You should come to one of these days. See if it suits your fancy.”

“I see enough death just working,” Ann said, pulling the woman in close for the next set of steps. “I don’t need more.”

“A bore, but an understandable choice. Arthur attends all he can. Sees it as a duty to witness the final result of justice or some sanctimonious tripe.”

“Is this all you wished to speak of?” Ann asked, wanting to get off this topic as quickly as possible.

“For now. I wished to meet you myself and get an assessment of my own. Arthur did fail to mention your beauty, something I appreciate fully.”

Ann felt her stomach churn at the flirt. “Thank you for the compliment, but I must say, Kat keeps my hands full.”

“And Lady Losenska, no doubt. You have likely been badgered about your dalliance in the Brawler’s Guild enough, so I will not beleaguer the point. Just know I doubt two women is all you can handle.” As she said the last word, all three of her hands gripped Ann, one very obviously questing lower than it should while remaining just on the right side of propriety.

“They’re plenty, thank you,” Ann said. The time to switch partners was coming up, and Ann prayed silently that it would hurry up.

“Ah, alas, I bid you farewell,” Olivia said with a leery smile. “Until we meet again, Lady Kronforst.”

“Lady Forgold,” Ann nodded, then twirled away back into Rosalyn’s arms.

“Well that was fun. That gentleman is really good at teaching people how to dance. He was helping me with my feet and kept giving really good pointers, like not dragging my toes and figuring out where my hips need to go. It was really nice. How about yours?” Rosalyn babbled excitedly.

“Not nearly as fun,” Ann admitted, pulling Rosalyn close. “Glad to be back to dancing with you.”

“Yeah, me too,” Rosalyn said, beaming.