Marinette Snow White had a fretful sleep that evening because she had nightmares.

      While she slept, Kali crept out of bed and sneaked into her father's room. 

        She was relieved he was breathing better, for she knew this meant he was to pull through it after all.

        Kali wrote some notes and hid them around the castle.     

She intended the notes to comfort the others if death should take her from them.

          At six o'clock in the morning, Marinette woke up and went to check on the others.    

Prince Adrien was sleeping peacefully while Kali lay on the hallway floor.

       Marinette picked up Kali, carried her to her room, and let her sleep with her.  She was curled up with her arm around her as she drifted back to sleep.

       Prince Adrien smiled as he entered the room. It was great to see how close the two had gotten along.  He set the flowers on the table.

      He was not sure if the gesture was appropriate or not. He was grateful the lady of the castle had taken care of them.        

    Marinette yawned as the sunlight entered the room. She saw the sleeping child beside her.

      She got up slowly so as not to disturb her. She screamed when she saw a shadow in the far corner.

     "Shh, it is me, Prince Adrien."  He spoke softly so as not to wake his daughter.

      Marinette pulled back the curtain so she could see him better.  

   "Adrien, what brings you to my quarters?"

        "I came to see how you faired."

      Marinette stayed behind the curtain out of embarrassment. She felt her pajamas were must inadequate for such a conversation. 

        "The flowers, are for what exactly?"

      "To thank you for your friendship, and for nursing my daughter and me back to health."  

           Adrien did not notice her cringe when he said the word "friendship."  He grinned.

             Marinette peeked around the curtain. "Adrien, could you turn around so I may change?"

               "Yes, your highness."

         He turned around the whole time he thought about lovely she looked.

             Marinette finished getting dressed. She woke up Kali and helped her dress as well.

               Next, she got to work, she brushed the child's hair, and braided it for her.

            Her own hair she styled in a simple bun. 

               "You may look now, prince."

        At her voice, Adrien turned around. He felt his breath catch in his mouth when he saw her. He felt his jaw drop. Marinette and Kali both looked stunning.

       "You look absolutely beautiful!"

        "Both of you ladies do."

      "Did you hear that Your Highness?  Daddy called me a lady."

       "Yes, I sure did and I agree you are a proper lady."

         Kali twirled in the dress.  Marinette twirled in hers too.

         "Gosh, when you do that you make me wish for a dance."

        "Is that a proposition, Prince Adrien?"

        "Go on, dance with him."  Kali clapped her hands.

    She squealed as her father and Marinette danced.

    It was the cutest thing she ever saw in her life.

   She saw the far-off look her father had in his eyes and the equally far-away look in Marinette's.

      Kali felt she had to find some way to get Marinette Snow White, the queen to admit her love for her father.  She had not the foggiest idea how.

         She noticed the flowers were the kind Marinette said were her favorites. Hmm, seems Father has a few tricks up his sleeves after all.

          As Queen Marinette Snow White and Prince Adrien danced, they soon forgot Princess Kali watched them.  For the moment, it was as if they were the only ones who existed.

    find out more in Chapter 27  Slow dance

     Until then,

  bye-bye, little owlets!

  Summer out!