Finding himself strangely comfortable with Snow he went to sit on the bed as she had so kindly directed."Tell me, why is it everyone looks the way they do here?... I mean no offense to you Miss Snow." It was her especially that had Alastaire wondering what had befallen them, for surely none of them had been born in such beastly forms. He stil disliked the prince tremendously, and feared him too. The man was no man, and his actions contradicted not the thought.

Looking at the amount of clothes briefly distracted his thoughts. He did not remember bringing so many and in such a variety . There were clothes for every occasion imaginable, and many that were not. From the somber and severe to the ridiculously outlandish, the closet contained it all. It was like a giant costume box, prepared for a masquerade ball.

"Cranky?" He let out a bark of laughter at the red - head that defied him, though there was no humor in his dark and vicious voice; his face had twisted into something uglier than just a horrifying creature, as if mirroring his current mood. "Cranky was Addison leaving when I needed him. Cranky was Maxine disrupting my thoughts. I am not cranky. I am beastly, and as a beast, I will take no second thought of pleasantly sucking the marrow out your bones."

He growled lowly, ready to pounce on her, but just before he lunged for her neck, Ethan stepped in between and stopped him. As of late, Ethan seemed to be doing whatever it was he wanted, completely ignoring Leto's wishes.

"This surprises you?" Leto gritted his teeth. What was Ethan saying? He had always acted a like an animal with no second thoughts, greedy for power and money, for reputation, savage and brutal in his words and actions. Why else would the sorcerer and sorceress change him into such a form? He had never acted humanly in his entire life.

Friend? He was...a friend? Though his face was one that did not remotely resemble a human, it fell softly; the anger slowly dissipated, wilting away like the rose in his room. No! Don't fall for his tricks! A traitor! That was all he was!

"They are not my people,"he growled. "They never were. I could care less what should happen to them. Why should it matter?" It was as though a hateful voice was whispering in his ear, tainting his thoughts, his words, his heart. He couldn't let go of his prejudice of humans, he couldn't let go of their judgments while passing judgment on them as well. "Why should I care whether they die? One less member of the mob. If given the chance, would they show me a gesture of mercy? They would rejoice if they had my head on a pike! Well, I say to them, 'Die. Die and leave me in peace!"

He was breathing heavily now, after his rant. He was exhausted. Angry, yet tired of being angry. And maybe a little scared, too.

Snow brought the box over to him and sat it on the floor. She opened it and pulled out a salve then turned back to him. She lowered herself down so that she was in a kneeling postion. She started looking at the cuts on his legs. It doesn't look like any of these are bad. She started carefully dabbing the salve on the cuts.

She paused and looked up at him for a moment. She thought about it for a moment then slowly answered him. "A long time ago we were cursed. You can see it in our form, in the very forest, the slight magics that are used, the fact we still have wine after so many years, and the wardrobe." She nodded at it. She had noticed him looking at it. "Sadly that last magic only seems to work on fancy clothes. We found ourselves in these new forms and clothes to fit us but they were all ballgowns. I'm sure you can see that, that wouldn't work for our jobs." She gave a small laugh.

----------

"Yes, this suprises me. You have acted horribly in the past but nothing like this. At least before hatred didn't fill your heart. You might have been bad but at least you were not the worst. Their are robbers, killers, rapist, and you were better then them. But you start to act like them."

He looked back at the guests. "I understand your hatred for them. It has been so long since any of us have been like them. It is hard to remember that time. And even if you will not accept them as your people we are. And we all knew of this plan. We all have stood beside you and had planned on standing with you till the end of our time.

"How do you know they wouldn't show you kindness? In the towns they would not because they would not get to know you. But here? No one has attacked you and I know that at least one of them brought a weapon. If they wanted to they could have attacked or even have run off screaming. But they didn't."

He stopped then looked at the forest. He fell to his knees and lowered his head. "If you still wish me to leave I will. I will go to the woods and wait for the wolves to come get me. I have no life outside of this castel. I have no friends, other then you, and all my family is dead. I don't even know this time. I do not wish to leave the one last person I consider family so I will die in the forest I have grown in. Please do not send the guests till the path opens again. It should open in a week."

Blythe was terrified and enchanted at the same time. The strangest of combinations, she had no doubt the would have put his words into action if Ethan hadn't stepped forward between them. She wondered what his name was, and what he might look like if he weren't in his beastly form. Some of what the prince said struck her.

Cautiously going around Ethan to stand directly in front of the prince she spread her hands out as she spoke. "You aren't beastly in the least. You wear the form of one of the most majestic kings of the wild. Sleek beings that rule their forest domains, the big cats of the jungle like the panther. They have a beauty all their own, fierce and proud."Pausing she thought of the other things he had said, and how to respond. "People fear what they do not know and it has always been so, but truly there are always some who differ and you cannot judge all by the actions of the majority or the few." She stopped and waited to see if another outburst would come, all she wanted to do was move forward and smooth away that anger that she'd seen. The young woman could not do so, her mind wouldn't let her.

Instead she moved to Ethan and placed a hand on his shoulder. "A friend like you is hard to come by, the prince is very lucky even if he doesn't seem to know it." Her eyes blazed now. All of these good people, there serving the prince and he treated them horribly.

Occasionally Alastaire would wince when Snow took care of a particularly painful cut, but for the most part he let no sign of emotion appear on his face. After hearing the woman's explanation a frown appeared. Cursed? For what reason, how could it be broken? There were so many questions Alastaire wanted to ask, so he decided on the most important. "Why?" It was one simple word, which held so much potential. With it came a demand for so much information that a book could probably have been written with the answers.

Snow raised herself up and sat on the bed next to him and started working on the cuts on his arm and back. If only we could tell them. "I can not say. Magic is very binding afterall." They could speak of a curse but nothing else. Anyone who saw them would come to the conclusion that it was a curse.

Alastaire laughed a little, then stopped when he felt her hands on him. It made him blush ferociously even tough he knew Snow was simply taking care of his cuts. Cuts caused because of the prince, most beastly of them... He wondered, maybe it had everything to do with him. "It's something to do with the prince, he's the worst out of all of you."Alastaire stated it softly and turned to look at Snow. "You don't deserve this, kind as you are."

Snow could see the blush and knew she was blushing too. It had been so very long since she had touched someone let alone a male.

She stopped and looked at him when he spoke. "Why would you think that? The curse was not even it's meanness. I was changed the most of the servants does that mean I am the worst of them? How do you know I don't deserve this?

How can he speak of my Prince like that? "He is my Prince and took me in when I had no other solution. He has never been mean to me. And I wish you not to speak of him that way."

Addison frowned fully now, crossing his arms and watching the two gents have it out at each other. It truly was not a suitable thing to do in front of their guests. He very nearly cringed when the lady, Blythe, he believed, one more stepped up to speak directly to the prince. In a state of anger such as this, he would not have dared such a thing. Instead of standing there, dreading his master, he turned his attention to the rumpled blooms of the bush the fearful lord had fallen into. Looking over the trampled roses, he sighed softly, picking up one that had been squashed beyond repair, and removed from its bush. Shaking his head slowly, he let the flower drop back to the ground from his hand, before looking up at the prince. Though beastly in appearance, Addison held no ill thought about him. Perhaps he could be cruel, that was for sure, but he was still his prince, and he remained loyal to that point. Therefore, being called cranky was like a stab to the gut. Cranky... In all my time of committed service, I am dismissed as cranky? My work is ruined, I say nothing, and I am the cranky one? He was getting steamed up, now wishing to go back inside, hide his face for a while.

Again frowning, but this time up at Leto, he approached the rose bush with the best blooms, quickly, yet cleanly snipping off the top most blossom, perhaps the most beautiful in the garden, at the perfect forty-five degree angle. Slipping it into a glass vase from his tool box, having been prepared to give his master a rose, as he had been asked, he then pulled out a bottle of luke warm water from his box as well, pouring some in with the freshly cut rose. "My years of committed service, and here we are... Clipping a beautiful bloom for a spiteful master." he joked darkly and none too quietly, most definitely out of character for the cheerful Addison. "As you wished, Sire... The best of what I may offer this season." He would hold out the glass vase to Leto, smile gone, appearing more sad than anything. His master's comment hurt, not that he would retaliate against it. Once he accepted or denied the vase, Addison would look towards the damaged area before again putting away his tools. "If you'll excuse me, Sire, I believe it would be best to nurse the damage in the morn. That is when roses are the freshest." Unless there were any objections, he would then slowly walk back inside.

Risette stood behind Ethan, turning her eyes now from the prince to look at the suddenly depressed looking rabbit man, whom she believed must be his gardener. His facial expression droopy, she frowned for the poor fellow, obviously none to happy about his master's attitude. If not for Blythe and Ethan's efforts to calm the seemingly cruel-hearted man before them, she would have spoken up herself. But she believed there was no need. Instead, she looked over at the rose bush that had been harmed, kneeling down to pick up the squashed rose Addison had left behind. Sighing and frowning, she got up and followed the man back inside with the slightly squashed rose in hand, not caring for the dirt now on her gown.

Leto knew he deserved everything Ethan was accusing him of, but the mere fact that he was being compared to robbers and murderers and rapists -- it was a bit more than he could handled, amplified by the person that was saying it. He had been vaguely aware of his transformation -- not the physical, but the inner change in him: how he never left his room, how he never spoke to any of the other servants, never wanted to leave the castle, to be far from the rose.

That was right: there was an enchanted rose hidden away behind a fort of broken furniture, covered by a cloth that he had ripped in anger. He had placed it out of sight because of what it stood for, what it reminded him of: a time he could never go back to, a way of life he could not return to, a freedom he could not have. In its place he had real roses, ones that died, hoping that he too could wilt away and be forgotten, not to suffer and be remembered as a creature of barbaric instincts.

Seeing Ethan bent down on the grass, hearing the words he was saying, how could he not have a change of heart? The voice came back but he relentlessly brushed it aside. This was his...his friend. His brother. An angel in disguise sent to watch over him, and how did the Prince treat him? Cruelly. Ungratefully. He did not deserve such a person by his side, marred by Leto's ugliness. And what of the other servants? Did they stay because of the curse, or because they, too, were compassionate? He could not accept it, such kind gestures, something he was not used to. They deserved better, a better master, a better life. This curse they were given, it should've been meant only for him.

The human had no idea what she was talking about. The majestic form of a king? This was no king. He wasn't even close. How could she possibly understand, she who had hands and legs, she who had the beauty of a human untainted by magic? Her words consoled him not, and he needed no condolences; his form was one thing, but it was the fear of living in this cursed place and in this cursed body all by his lonesome that really interrupted his sleep at night.

"I want you gone. All of you. The guests must leave in a week's time -- and for this one week, they shall stay here and shall be treated as royalty. In a week's time, the payment I expect will be their presence no longer haunting my domain. In a year, when the curse has been lifted, you and the others will leave, Ethan." There was no compassion in his tone or words; they were stern and final, offering no room for back talk. He simply wasn't the type to express heartfelt emotions.

He had finally noticed the bitter air surrounding Addison and a strange surge of guilt passed through his gut. Here was another who had none but loyalty for Leto in his heart, yet Beast had simply dismissed it and brushed it aside. Addison offered the clipped rose, but unlike before when it looked fresh and beautiful, it now looked droopy and sullen. He suddenly felt as though he shouldn't have asked for it. "Keep it, Addison. It is yours."

Leto folded his wings. "Rise, Tiald. Bring the guests inside and have Dashna serve their dinner. It looks to be dark, and the wolves will be bolder now that they have fresh meat barely out of reach."

Alastaire stood abruptly. "I may not understand the whole situation, but your prince did not seem very kind to me. I fear him, there do you understand that! That's why I fell into the roses after all." He had put his foot into his mouth like he always did, making others hate him. In a way he supposed he treated the prince like others always treated him. Probably, if he wasn't careful, Alastaire would become a beast in human form. Cruel, unjust and terrifying to all even tough his appearance was otherwise.

Seeing the actions of the prince, and how he seemed to regret his words of earlier... Blythe turned away reluctantly. But not before shooting out one last question. "Prince, what is your name? Prince was a title, and to a title she could not attribute the feelings and emotions of a human. After his words to the servant, Addison, she could not deny that he was human under that exterior of his. The fact that he would let them remain , even if their presence angered him so was another testament to his humanity.

Addison relaxed only a little at his master's slight change of mood. Finally, perhaps a little guilt had trickled in? Sighing, Addison retreated inside anyways, not casting another glance at the lovely bloom in his hand.

Risette followed after him hesitantly, the squashed rose in hers.

Spotting Addison, Sarita stopped what she was going for the moment, brows furrowing in confusion for his rather gloomy disposition. "Oh, Addy, why the long face?" Addison shook his head slowly, looking lightly over the table so far, grinning at Rita and Max's handy work. "Wonderful setting, girls. Do tell Dashna that that smell is intoxicating... I believe our guests will be delighted." Then, heading up the stairs, he intended to go see how the lord who had fallen into his roses was faring, wanting to make sure three were no complications with removing thorns or whatnot. He'd rap gently upon Alastaire's door, "Sir?"

Ethan stood up and looked at Leto. "As you wish Prince." He did not notice the switch from his last name to his first. Instead he stared forward with sightless eyes. He turned to the guests. "Inside and eat." He started to walk inside.

Levi simply followed behind the deer man. It is not my place to say anything.

Lily was scared but she was also mad. This man has such great friends. Why should he treat him that way. Ethan said he had no others. Lily had a large family but really had no friends. If I die for what I have to say it will hurt them but they will survive it. This man doesn't seem to share the same fate.

She stepped forward. "You truly are a beast to treat your friends like that. Do you think your the only one that has a hard life? The woman who spoke to you is being forced to wed. As are many women. How do you think that makes us feel? What of the solider who is wounded and looked at as less because of that? I have an uncle who was burned badly and the others see him as a freak. Did any of those people hide and treat their friends like dirt. No. That is the differance between you and them. Not your beastly appearance."

With that she turned and ran back inside. She ran to her room and started crying. Not from what she had said to the prince but because of Ethan. He looked so sad. And because she thought of her own fate. She might die here but she doubted it. He isn't a beast. He just acts like it. No she would leave here and have to find a man to wed. A man she didn't love.

----------

Snow watched as the man stood then sighed and looked down. "I am sorry. It was mean of me to say such things. I have had a much longer time to become used to this. You do not need to fear him. He may act mean and look like a beast but he would not actually hurt you unless you tried to hurt him."

She twisted around when she heard Addison's voice. She got up and went to the door. Opening it she smiled at him. "Hello Addison."

Akira grabbed the reins of the horse and headed to the stables where she found the other one. Damn humans. Couldn't they have said something to her about the horses? At least mention it to someone who'd come and find her? With the horses safetly within two seperate stalls, she headed back the way she came.

She heard a group of noise and one most distinctively. Sounds like our Prince is having a isy fit. The Prince had always caught her eye even in his monsterous form. The only problem was his behavior. He acted exactly how everyone expected him to. It was a shame. If only he could change, the curse would be broken. She wondered who the lucky person would be. Many times, she had hoped it would be her, but she knew that being a servant, it could never be.

"Master!" She was shocked at the tone. It was normal for him to act this way, but everyone of them had hoped he would act more pleasant around his guests. She walked up to her master with a stern look on her face. "If you are annoyed by the humans, why don't you return to your room and calm down. They will learn to accept you like us, your loyal servants have." Normally, she would have been slightly afraid of what the Prince would do to her, but he was really out of line.

----------

Jayson sighed. He was afraid that something really horrible was going to happen, but it seemed to have been prevented. He followed the others back into the castle for dinner. He could smell it as he stepped in through the door. What a wonderful smell. It smelled like fish and something else, but he couldn't figure it out.

A sigh escaped Alastaire. "And I suppose I should try to be more understanding. There is much that I do not know." Hearing Snow greet this other person made Alastaire stiffen. The young man relaxed after that, trying to change even a little. Going to the door he saw that it was a man with... Bunny ears of all appendages. The poor man must hate this. Quietly Alastaire went to search within his own things to find a hat he thought would cover the ears. He handed it over with a small smile."Here, Addison is it? Take this. It's old and I don't need it." Actually it was just an excuse, he knew if he was saddled with silly ears he would want to hide them.

Blythe didn't leave with the others wanting to hear at least some response to her question before going to eat dinner. She sat down again quietly to wait and saw one of the servants come to speak with her lord.

Max smiled when he complimented them on the work they had done, and noticed his forlorn look. She was torn between being angry at Leto, and wanting to defend Addison. Her loyalties were pulling her both ways and she hated it when that happened.

Addison would grin in return to Max before heading upstairs, again grinning as Snow opened the door in greeting. "Hello, Snow." he said in reply before looking over at Alastaire. He meant to check up on him after his fall into the rose bush, hoping that his injuries were minimal, being that the thorns couldn't really do an drastic damage. Still, as the gardener of the castle, he couldn't help but feel obliged to see him well. However, he was caught by surprise, staring at the hat for a moment before slowly coming to an understanding. A real smile now graced his face, and he shook his head slowly, "Oh, no, sir I couldn't." he explained, "Though I greatly appreciate the offer... Not fond of the silly things..." His voice faded during the last bit before he realized why he was there, his attention snapping right back to Alastaire, "Oh, yes. Sir, you are alright, I trust?" He looked him over not seeing much harm done, then smiled apologetically, "I saw that you contracted a bit of a fright... And falling into part of the garden, well, it's something I'll admit I do often... I just wished to see you well, sir, but I am sure you are in good hands with Snow here." Then, looking down to the freshly cut rose in the glass vase still in his hand, he got an idea. "Anyways, sir, would you like a souvenir? It's one of the best blooms of the season," he explained, offering him the small glass vase with the rose inside of it. After all... He didn't wish to keep it for himself. It was a product of his tender loving care and hard work, he wanted it go to to someone who would cherish it, and seeing how the prince would not take it, who better than someone who had just fallen into a rose bush?

Alastaire blinked in surprise when he looked at the perfect proffered rose. In the end he took it with a laugh. "Well, I suppose those rose bushes do serve a purpose. Much better decorations then beds." Tossing his hat onto the bed quickly he turned back to Addison. "Thank you for coming to check on me, but like you said Snow has been doing the job admirably... Alastaire paused a little uncertainly before speaking again. "Perhaps the three f us could have tea together sometime, to consolidate a new friendship?" He looked to Snow then to Addison uncertainly. The young man wasn't in the habit of extending a hand in friendship, but these two near strangers had shown such kindness to him that he couldn't resist.

Snow almost sighed as Alastaire offered the hat. We can't really hide what has happened to us so what is the point. She was glad to see that Addison didn't take it badly though. She was glad to hear that Alastaire was trying though.

She turned to look at Addison. "Aw thanks dear. Your too kind." She had always liked him. She thought his ears were cute but she would never tell him that.

She turned back to Alastaire. "Thank you Alastaire. I would really like that." She smiled at him. He isn't as bad as he seemed at first.

Addison smiled when he accepted the rose, letting out a small laugh himself before nodding in agreement, "Yes, sir, and the prince seems to be fond of them." Then, looking to Snow, he shook his head a little, "No, Snow, just truthful." he stated playfully before turning his attention once more towards Alastaire as he spoke. Addison was about to reply to his first words when he surprised him by speaking once more, a bit taken back. To consolidate a friendship? Why, a friendship with one of our guests...? The thought had never occurred to him, he was just glad to have more people in the castle. The thought cheered him up quite a bit, needless to say. Smiling once more, Addison accepted the request enthusiastically, "Sounds lovely, I would be delighted to do so."

Grinning Alastaire went to place the rose on his bed side table before returning to his two new friends. "When is it then, that you two would be able to do so? Working here, you must be kept quite busy in such a large place... The young man looked to Snow with a laugh," Or tending the gardens. " Alastaire was certain that now his stay would not be so bad, in reality he might even be loathe to leave the place where he had found friendship at last. He frowned trying to figure out a way to convince the prince to extend his stay, from the year to much longer then that.

Max wondered what to do after the settings were finally put into place. She walked around, checking and re-checking everything out of cheer boredom. She wanted to have something to do, after such a long time simply catering to the needs of the prince, and maintaining the castle she was impatient to finally have other people there. The fact that Max hadn't spoken with any of them yet annoyed her to no end.

Snow smiled at her newest friend. Before the curse she had been a very friendly person and had made friends easily. Then things had changed. There were no longer many people here and she had withdrawn. This will be good for me.

"This castle may be large but it is also coated in magic. A nice side effect seems to be that dust does not settle here. As a maid that takes care of a lot of the work. Cleaning doesn't take long now. With the guests here there will be more work but I am sure I can get away at any time. The early morning would not be a good time though.

Addison nodded slowly to agree with Snow, thinking over when the best time would be for him. Unless something disastrous were to very suddenly happen to the rose garden, which he very highly doubted anything that horrific would, then he had much time to spare. However, mornings were when he trimmed the bushes, and the next morning he would be especially busy, fixing yesterday's bit of damage. "My work in the garden is usually done after the morning hours, so anytime after that I'm sure I could step away for a bit of tea..." he replied, basically agreeing with Snow. Anytime in the morning would be impractical for Addison, but anytime after that was usually free, which he spent going around, usually helping out Sarita or whomever was busiest about the castle. "Unless, of course, sir, you plan to fall upon the roses again, which I would advise against." he added with a playful wink.

Risette wandered about the castle, eventually ending up back to the nearly empty dining room, not spotting the gardener anywhere. Ah well... I'm sure he'll be just fine. Instead, she looked about the dining room, admiring the table setting for a moment, before finally noticing Max. What could she say? Her thoughts were quite distracting in most cases. Smiling a bit when she noticed her, she thought back for a moment to the names Ethan had given her. Rita is a hawk woman, Cheri is a cat lady.... Max! Max was the lion. Hesitantly, Risette spoke to her, "Excuse me, miss. Max, right? Sorry to bother you, but do you know where the others are? Still in the garden...?" She wondered about that for a moment, if the prince softened up, or if he had again cared to act out in anger against his guests once more. She hadn't stayed outside long enough for any true conclusion, but she tried to be hopeful.

He was tired. All the anger and the yelling and frustration, the looks of his servants and the guests, their fears and disapproval. To be honest, he just wanted to hide away in his room at that moment, but that would be cowardly so he merely stood there, waiting for all of them to leave so he could crawl away to sleep in the forest. He couldn't stand the castle at that moment, tainted by everything and everyone.

The girl paused before she left, asking for his name. That had come as a surprise to him. His name? It had been so long since anyone had called him anything but royal titles; for a while, he even had his servants refer to him as Beast. Was that the name he should give her? His tail swished uncomfortably behind him as he watched her, watched her expression and the way her words seem to hover over her.

"Leto," he replied after a while. "It's Leto." Maybe he should as for her name; it was common courtesy, and even after years of isolation, some habits just wouldn't die. But would she give it to him? Before he could decide on a course of action, another guest stepped forward and shared her opinion.

Was everyone from the outside so opinionated? The soldier that was wounded did a duty for his kingdom; there was nothing in that to be ashamed of. The burned uncle was still human, and many women learned to love their husband. If not, they could run away. But Leto was not human any longer, and he did nothing honorable to deserve the transformation -- but he was too tired to argue and so allowed her to run off.

Akira had reprimanded him and a touch of irritation returned. She had the audacity to correct him? Even after he had reviewed the entire situation and thought of a conclusion that would benefit them all? Even after he realized his mistakes? Would no one allow him to sleep?!

"Your opinion is...appreciated..." he said with difficulty. In all honesty, she could shove her opinion somewhere it would hurt. "But I think it best for you to be inside with the guests to eat. Dashna seems to have prepared something exquisite to feast on." Those were the nicest hints he could drop (and he almost wanted to vomit at the decorated words that left his mouth) without bluntly saying: Get the hell away.

Akira could see the irritation on Leto's face. She was surprised that the Prince didn't do anything to her. Not even a single ill spoken word toward her. It was clear that he wanted to be left alone, and she knew it would take some time for him to open up with the guests. She bowed and said, "As you wish, master." Straighting up, she said, "Would you like me to get Ethan for you so that you may finally rest?"

She didn't know what else to do. The Prince needed to relax and calm down. He nearly scared half the guests to death. It was amazing any of them had decided to stay after seeing a part of who the Prince was. Leto, why can't you show your kind and gentle side? I know you have it within you.

Ethan walked back into the castle and watched everyone come and go. He thought about having to leave here in a year. Before the curse his greatest dream had been to buy a cottage and have a family but 99 years could change a person. Now he couldn't imagine living outside these walls.

He turned and walked until he came to a servant exit. He pushed the door open and walked outside. It was away from the garden so the Prince wouldn't see him. While had been given the slight bit of magic he knew that if something happened to him it would pass on to another. He had placed the magic in the path and now placed a time for it to open back up. So he know longer had to worry about the guests.

With one last look at the castle he walked into the woods. He could hear the wolves off in the distance. I wonder what I'll taste like to them. Deer or human? Normaly Ethan would have been strong but this had been his last hope. The guests would come, Leto would fall in love, and they all would be freed and Leto would become King. Or Leto would at least realize that his life didn't need to be lived hidden away. Instead I ruin everything. He walked until he was a good distance into the woods and could no longer see any sign of the castle behind him. With that he sat down and leaned against the tree and waited.

Laughing Alastaire smiled at his new friends. "So tomorrow afternoon then? And I promise Addi, no falling into the roses again unless I'm pushed." Turning to Snow he held out a tentative hand. "Perhaps you could show me where the dining room is? It must be ready by now, or nearly so." He returned Addi's wink, in the same playful manner. It seemed like the seriousness he'd clung to simply fell away when he was with these two. It was a change that Alastaire reveled in. He could be as carefree as he wanted to be and no advisers would comment on it. Alastaire could actually be himself for once, and he liked it.

Repeating the name to herself silently Blythe ignored the other woman's comments, even tough some of them had concerned her. "Just in case you didn't hear earlier, my name is Blythe... It really is nice meeting you Leto." She liked the sound of it, the name suited him.

Turning around with a last smile for Leto, she went to follow the others into the castle and wondered what other adventures awaited within. The young woman still wanted to explore every inch. The urge to venture into the forest had abated at the mention of wolves. Those were creatures she would not dare tangle with.

With a frown at the boyish woman, Max closed her eyes and concentrated on what she could hear. There were footsteps on the path, returning to the castle. "They should be returning inside soon, if they haven't already. Please won't you be seated? The moment everyone has arrived we will probably begin serving everything after Ethan, the head servant, makes sure it has been prepared to perfection." That reminded her that she hadn't seen Ethan go into the kitchens to check the food as he customarily did. Max wondered what could have happened and ran to find Dashna in the kitchen, leaving the guest alone. "Has Ethan come to check everything yet? He hasn't gone to see the table settings so I thought he would be here."