"This is so exciting!" Nightingale exclaimed, clinging to Duke's arm. "I can't believe I'm actually going to a ball!"
"I can't believe that Prince got a date!" the captain joked, jabbing Rhyme in the ribs with a mischievous grin. "Some Lord of Darkness he is."
As they approached the castle gates, they climbed into an elegant carriage, one of several escorted by Prince's men.
"I didn't know you had a castle," Melvin remarked, peering out the window at the grand estate.
"This isn't mine," Prince replied. "This estate belongs to Alicia's family. Though her men have sworn loyalty to me, they ultimately serve Virtus and its baroness."
"That is," Alicia interjected softly, "until we marry, my dear."
"Marriage," Prince thought to himself, his mind momentarily faltering. That's right... marriage.