"Alright, sweetheart, when you said, 'I know how to get into the palace' I thought you had a better idea than this." Jonas gestured to his outfit.

I bit back laughter at the sight I was seeing. Jonas went from a simple farmer to a high ranked butler in less than an hour and well, he looked funny. Everything looked too tight on him. He had more muscle than I expected him to so the outfit I squeezed him into made him look like a man version of a woman performer.

Still holding in my laughter, I tried to reassure him, "Jonas, I think you look wonderful in that."

He so clearly looked offended at my blatant lie and the smirk that still rested on my face. "You know sweetheart if you want to convince me maybe start with wiping that stupid smile off of your face."

That only fueled my laughter, and I couldn't hold it back anymore. I busted out laughing practically falling onto the floor. He, however, was not amused.

He scoffed, "Oh yea? What do you plan on wearing then? Because trust me when I say that I would LOVE to see you in a maid outfit. Then you can know how it feels."

"Darling, I've been in a maid outfit countless time. It would be nothing new to me." I winked at him.

Jonas looked confused for a moment, "Why would you need to be in a maid out-". Realization hit his face so hard, and his face turned that same bright lobster red that I had seen many times now. "Blair, holy hells that is so unladylike for a former queen."

I shrugged my shoulders, "They are calling me insane. I don't think it would be out of the ordinary that my bedroom life would be a little outlandish as well; don't you think."

He rubbed his hands quickly over his face, "I am not discussing this more with you. Heaven's you are going to kill me."

I giggled, "No, no now why would I do that? I need you to get into the castle sir."

"That would require me not to have a heart attack from your comments before we get there. Which at the moment is looking quite impossible. I can assure you that my face has never been this hot in my entire life."

My entire life was about reading people's emotions but right now I couldn't tell. Couldn't tell if he was angry with me or if he was messing around with me. It was unsettling. Figuring I had already put myself out there what is a bit more embarrassment,

"Am I wrong to assume you are upset with how I am acting."

He lifted his head slowly, "No, of course not. I'm just not used to a woman being so open about, well, everything. It is new to me. Not uncomfortable, just new. So please forgive me if I seem a bit surprised at the things you say."

It comforted me to know that he didn't find my comments outlandish or uncomfortable. In this society women were not allowed to speak freely. We were taught from a young age that we had to always uphold a standard of respect for ourselves. I once asked my mother why my brother and dad were allowed to make such comments and not me. She told me that 'boys can't control what they say it's in their blood' and that 'we as women can and as such we are held to a higher standard.' I had told her that was foolish and idiotic. She responded with violence. Let's just say I never questioned it again.

When I had met Noah, I had thought that someone accepted my foul mouth and actions. That the first day we met was love at first sight for him too. That he found someone that can keep up with him. How wrong was I?

But hearing Jonas say that it was not uncomfortable and unwise for me to speak in such a way was comforting. That he was willing to adjust to it on my behalf.

I looked him up and down again, "Yes, I think we are both more than ready to go into the castle."

Again, he looked puzzled, "You aren't in your outfit yet, so I do not think we are ready yet."

Right into the trap he fell, "You so badly want to see me in this outfit now, don't you? Scandalous Jonas. I thought you were a gentleman."

His mouth gaped and before I could give him a chance to stammer more, I left the room and changed into the outfit. When I returned his eyes avoided mine for a moment and he was pouting like a child.

I walked up to him and crouched in front of him, "Aw, I'm sorry did I embarrass you darling?"

He turned his head more to clearly hide the smirk that was forming on his face.

I crept up more to his face, "You can keep turning your head all you want but you can't hide that smile forever."

The more I persisted the more he turned. In circles we went until we were both in fits of laughter. I kept inching closer as I tried to see his face. Accidentally I got too close, and we both toppled out of the chair. I landed right on top of him, our noses practically touching.

Neither of us moved for what seemed like an eternity. His laughter stopped and his breathing slowed. He just stared at me with an expression that I did not want to recognize. Quickly I pushed myself off of him.

I brushed the hair out of my face, "Apologies, I didn't realize how close I got."

He smiled warmly at me, "It's quite alright. I know how to handle a fall."

"We should really get going if we want to make it there in time."

He nodded, "I have horses at the ready. Let us go get them."

 With that we headed out without another word. Neither of us acknowledging what happened a moment before. If you can even call it something happening. It was just an accident, nothing more. Then why couldn't I get the look on his face out of my head.

We made our way to the stables at last and as promised there were horses. The only problem is his friend would only allow us to take one of them now. Which means I would have to be pressed against Jonas the entire ride. It looked like we didn't have much of a choice, so we hopped on and started out journey.

The first half was silent, neither of us speaking. Not about how my arms were wrapped around him. Or how I'm sure he can feel how quickly my heart is beating. This was crazy. My former husband had not even discarded me a week ago and my heart was beating for another. It must be a fluke. Yes, that is what this is. Nothing more.

For the second half of the trip, we discussed the plan that was going to happen once inside the castle. First to get inside the castle we would use the cellar entrance. There were usually no guards posted there so we would be able to slip in undetected. We were to stay together at all times, although not too close as to not raise suspicion. Our first objective was to find my brother. The most obvious spot to check first would be the dungeons. He was sneaky, but not that sneaky. The palace was heavily guarded, and he was quite, stupid. He had the stealth skills but was the clumsiest person I had ever met in my life.

Once we made it down to the dungeons and, hopefully, located my brother we would then make our way out and regroup. After we rescued him, we could come up with a plan to take down Noah, the king.

"Are you prepared, Blair. Once we enter those walls we are in his territory. We will not have any protection or any backup. We will be completely alone, and no one will save us." He must have sensed my fear, "Please don't take that as me trying to scare you. That was not my intention, I'm just trying to prepare you for the reality of the situation. We are charting in unfamiliar waters. That castle might once have been your home but not it is a battle ground. I need you to be prepared."

I nodded against his back, "I understand. Yes, I am afraid. But it is not because of going back there. I am afraid of running into him again. That he will recognize me immediately and I will actually die this time."

He reached down and squeezed my hands that rested on his waist, "I will not allow harm to come to you. I may not know you that well yet, but I do know I'm willing to protect you with my life."

This, at least, stilled my heart. It should be a simple operation. In words it sounded easy, but he was right. Once we get in there, we have no idea how this will play out.

We did not have much time to dwell on that before the castle walls came into view.