Fate must have been working with the three partners, because it was soon announced that King Dorough, a friend of both the Carter and Peters kings, was throwing a big bash. Both families were invited, plus a few guests of their own. It was all too perfect.

Nickolas� mind was quicker than Celeste had suspected. He, Brian and Celeste met everyday at the pond, contemplating strategies to convincing the king. It was definitely not an easy task, and most meetings they came up empty-handed. Maybe two days before the ball, Nickolas came up with an idea.

�Let me be up-front. Just walk on up to your father and ask for your hand?� Nickolas pitched his idea to Celeste.

�No.�

�Why not?�

�Because that would scare the willies out of him,� Brian responded. Celeste giggled a little, and sat down on a rock nearby.

�I�m serious. I�d tell him my plans for making the kingdoms into an ultimate empire. I can pitch it in some way he can�t refuse.�

�You honestly think you can pull that off without sounding suspicious?� Celeste asked.

�No, but it is two days before the ball, and we still have no ideas as to what the hell we are going to do. Now, if you would let me, I think that I can convince your father. But you need to help me.�

�How?� Brian inquired.

�She needs to give hints that she does indeed like me. It wouldn�t work if this was one-sided. He needs to know she likes me as well. So we need to dance and laugh in front of him. And it has to be in front of him, so that he can see.�

�It is a possibility that this can work. But what happens if it doesn�t?� Brian asked. �Do we have any secondary plans just in case we falter and mess everything up?�

�No.�

Celeste�s stomach twisted a little with his last response. Rule number one of strategic planning: always have a back-up plan. Brian had taught her that. In all instances, it was a good thing that do.

�Well, I suppose we can just improvise as we go along,� Brian said thoughtfully. Celeste could tell that he was trying hard to cooperate, but it was really hard for him. Brian was very quick-witted, indeed, but he also was smart enough to do things in advance. �Winging it� wasn�t a strategy he admired.

Nickolas nodded solemnly and looked over at Celeste. She was staring out at the lake. She was bravely wearing riding chaps and a blouse. Her legs were pulled up to her chest and she gazed out at the water. She picked up a nearby pebble and threw it in the lake, making it skip one, two, three, four times before sinking beneath the surface.

Nickolas walked over near her, and crouched down next to her. He leaned his head sympathetically on her side and she looked down at him. She smiled warmly, and put her hand on his face before turning back to the water. She continued to stroke his face, lovingly.

Brian had to admit, they were both taking it so well. Celeste was so young and still so naive, but she was braver so much more than anyone could expect. Nickolas too. They both shared this unknown bond since the first meeting. It was good to know. The first time Brian had met Nick, it was certainly not on the best terms. He had thought Nickolas a sloppy fool. But he was really proving himself to be worthy of appreciation and nobility. In a lot of ways, he was like his father.

�We should get going, Madam Celeste,� Brian said uncomfortably, as the moment got more and more sentimental. It was sickening to watch them sometimes. Especially since Brian had a soft spot for Celeste. Seeing her with him was certainly not an appealing sight. Sometimes he wished that he was in Nickolas� place, making sure that Celeste was safe and sound. He had been doing that for so long.

Celeste nodded and slid off the rock. Nickolas took her hand and kissed the back of it, before letting her get on to her horse. She looked back once as she strode off. Then with one flick of her head, she left for the castle.

Nickolas was overwhelmed. Celeste and he had been growing together faster than weeds grew in a garden. She was a brilliant mind, with a free spirit. She reminded him of Patricia.