The next day passed quietly, almost eerily so, but I needed it. Afanasy was up and almost as lively as normal when I left him, but still rather miffed that I was hailing him more as a fool than a hero. In all honesty I thought him to be more the latter, but he couldn't on any terms think that he should ever jump in to divert another bomb. Not that there should be any.

Mother had suspended the day's schedule so the hallways weren't safe to walk down unless I was prepared to fall prey to an onslaught of Debutante attention. Instead I worked through the service corridors, a habit my father would disapprove of, but didn't realise I'd nurtured the upkeep of since he told me to stop doing it eight years ago.

I had gone to check on Tristan, who was shaken but unharmed, and had breakfasted with him. Leaving his room I figured it was obligatory that I called on each of the other people who had been present at the ballet. Evie, to my dismay, was out on a ride with Lady Affer, according to her maid. So Evie and Lady Affer were getting on? It pleased me to know she was making friends. I went to Annabelle next, who I found to be in her rooms.

"Good morning, Lady Crawley, I wanted to see how you were after last night's adventure?"

Annabelle looked at me from across the rim of her teacup, perched carefully on the edge of her chaise. "What on earth happened there?" She whispered gently. "One minute I was going to speak with the dancers, the next thing I knew, the general was driving me out and down the steps. There were two explosions." She swirled the tea in her cup, her eyes transfixed on it.

I leaned forward gently, trying to find the balance between being serious and trying to comfort her. "I don't fully know what transpired yet. I'll be having a discussion with my father and brother this afternoon and once we've consulted the advisers we will inform you all. What I know is that at least two bombs were set off, potentially more." By terrorists. I thought. By people from our own country.

"Did - did people die?" She whispered very quietly, her eyes wide.

I put my cup down on the table and sighed. "That's not for you to worry about, my lady. What matters is that you're safe here. It's almost impossible for anyone to get to the palace." But yes, yes people did die.

The young girl seemed to force a smile onto her face. "Alright." She whispered. "Thank you, your Highness."

I smiled, walked over to kiss her hand in parting, and then headed for the door. My hand lingered on the frame as my mind stayed with the little girl sitting on the chaise.

"Lady Crawley, what do you plan to do for the rest of today?" I turned back to see her eyebrows raised in polite surprise.

She put her teacup down on the table. "Well I don't very well know, the Queen has cancelled the itinery."

"Wouldn't you rather spend time with the other Debutantes?" I asked, feeling immense pity when I searched her face.

"Would they willingly spend time with me?" She spoke very quietly. "No, sorry, I oughtn't to say that. My apologies."

I smiled genuinely this time. "It's quite alright, I'm not overly fond of most of them myself. Why don't I show you the gardens later? The cicada garden is gorgeous this time of year."

Annabelle's face lit up and for a fleeing second I worried that I was leading her on.

"I'd be delighted, your Highness." She replied, and I took that as my cue to leave, sparing her another sympathetic smile before I left.

After some debate, I walked through the entrance hall purposefully to find someone to point me in the direction of either Angel or Holly. A more than usually helpful maid informed me that they were both gathered with many of the other Debutantes in the blue drawing room. Only a brief check in then was I going to give then.

A footman opened the door for me and I saw a whole gaggle of heads turn to face me.

"Oh your Highness will you join us?" Serena asked gently, Angel glared at her as though she had spoken out of turn.

I smiled again, feeling social pressures set in, and shook my head. "I've just dipped in to ensure that both Lady Kent and Lady Reichen are alive and well, which you seem to be." I spared a quick glance at the both of them, Holly demurely casting her eyes down whilst Angel held my gaze. "Please don't let me interrupt." I smiled again in parting and set back off, down the corridor.

"Gavrila!" Groaning inwardly I turned to see Angel hovering just outside of the door. When she was satisfied that she'd gained my attention, she took her sweet time conquering the distance between us. "Is..." She trailed off, and I watched her eyes trail to my lips, she was hardly subtle, "is something amiss with us? I mean I know Tristan wouldn't be awfully fond of me, but you and Afanasy were always my friends before. Especially you..." She locked her eyes on mine and I actually had to fight from laughing, pasting on my kingly face instead.

"Nothing is amiss between us, Angel. I just now have responsibilities, I'm running a war and I have to choose a wife, between which there's hardly time to catch up with you." I wondered if I'd been too harsh, but she seemed persistent nonetheless.

"Perhaps we could take a turn about your secret garden? I have so much to tell you about and I'd so love to hear about how you've been." Again her eyes were on my lips, she stood too close to me, it was actually uncomfortable.

I bowed a little, if only to force her to step back a little. "My apologies, Angel, but I have already offered my time to Lady Crawley. I may escort you back to the drawing room though." I smiled, offering her my arm, she smirked and stepped back.

"You never have been subtle have you, Ganechka? It'd ruin my reputation to be manhandled by you back to the other girls. Off you go if you're so keen to spend your time with little babies." And then she turned on her heel and made her way back down the corridor.