The next morning Angelica was woken by a knock on her door. She realized she was still in her clothes from the day before, but went to the door and opened it. Dusty stood on the other side smiling and looking well rested.

“I thought I would have you show me around today,” he said.

“What time is it?” She glanced toward the window.

“Does that really matter? Go ahead and get changed. I’ll wait out here for you.” He pulled the door closed.

Angelica rubbed her still sleepy face and then smiled. Dusty was still Dusty despite everything that had happened. She was going to remain herself as well. The young woman chose an outfit from the wardrobe, and then meticulously combed out her hair before joining Dusty in the hallway.

“So what is it that you would like to see?”

“Whatever it is that you see. Soon everyone will know me on sight. I would like to be able to look around before that happens, and I can think of no better guide. Oh, though I do have one specific stop I would like to make in the scholar’s wing.”

“I never really went there much. Most of them are too stuffy and absorbed in their studies. Advisors are only mildly better because their job is to relate their ideas to people.”

Dusty chuckled. “Still…”

“Okay, we will pay them all a visit,” Angelica said as she began to lead the way down the hall.

They visited all of Angelica favorite haunts. The cook chased them out of the kitchen, though a friendly apprentice slipped her two apples. She knew all of the guards on the grounds outside by name, though not all did more than bow and answer questions with as few words as possible. She introduced Dusty to Rilen before they made their way toward the scholar’s wing.

There were no fires allowed in the scholar’s wing, for fear of a fire catching with all the papers and scrolls that were stored there. Thus the halls were scantly lit with the few crystals that could be spared from the rooms.

“The scholars keep track of data and facts for my father,” Angelica explained as they went. “I learned to read, and some math, but I generally like to avoid it, and that’s almost exclusively what they do here.”

“Not to mention the mess she used to make when we had her here for lessons.”

Angelica turned to see a pencil dressed in a dark brown robe. What was left of his hair was pure white, and in his arms he carried several scrolls.

“Hello, Master Mathers.” The princess smiled.

“Princess Angelica. I trust you’re not here to cause trouble.” His eyes shifted to her companion, seeming to look him over.

“I’m just showing my friend around.”

“Your friend…I see. Well don’t disturb anyone while you’re here. Some of us have to work in order to eat.” He passed by them along the path he had been moving previously.

“Have you seen enough?” She asked as she glanced at the retreating scholar.

“Actually, I wanted to meet a scholar named Chae.”

“You want to meet someone in particular?” Angelica sighed. “Fine. Come on.”

Several rooms, and a dozen annoyed men in brown robes later they arrived at the library, where they were informed this Chae was researching…well something. Angelica did not much care.

“Excuse me. Is Scholar Chae in here?” Dusty asked from the door.

There was silence for a few moments, and then a slight of a body appeared, covered in a robe that was several sizes too big. On his nose sat a very odd contraption of wire and glass. His hair was long, but looked like it had escaped the attentions of a brush for so long that it was rebelling against gravity.

“Yes?” His voice had not yet dropped.

“Advisor Jeffery sent me to talk with you.”

The boy glanced back at his papers.

“He said you’re smart but that the other scholars only look down on you because of your age.” Dusty continued. “I am wondering if you would be interested in handling my schedule, finances, and other research work I might need doing.”

“You are not a noble,” The boy replied.

“No, I’m not, but I can pay you.”

“Dusty…what are you doing? He’s just a boy.” Angelica protested.

“You can have a few days to think it over, but I’m afraid I will need an answer before the new moon. Is this agreeable?”

The boy did not move, but then slowly nodded.

“Very good. When you want to give me your answer, ask for Dusty. I’m sure someone will be able to get you in contact with me.”

“What are you thinking?” Angelica asked as they headed back toward Dusty’s room.

“You told me to get someone to handle my schedule.”

“But he’s just a boy.”

“Jeffery thinks very highly of him, but his age has him looked over for everything else, leaving him time to study and learn. He’s supposed to be an apprentice scholar, but no one is bothering to teach him since he is an orphan and common born.”

“And so you, as the Heir, are going to trust things to him?”

“I’ve had worse ideas.” The young man laughed.

“I doubt that.”

They walked into Dusty’s room to see there were already three people waiting for them.

“Good to see you Ken.” Dusty smiled at the Dominion.

“My seconds, as you requested. This is Archangel Zedekiah and Archangel Saleah.”

Archangel Zedekiah was taller than Dominion Kendall by an inch or two and had long silvery gray hair that grew down past his back before being tied. Archangel Saleah was about Dusty’s height with yellow hair that sat in soft curls around her shoulders. Both were wearing the Choir’s uniform and stood at attention without looking around.

Dusty walked over and offered his hand to the male angel. “My name’s Dusty.”

The Archangel simply looked at the hand, and then to his superior.

“I told them about you, but I’m not sure they believed me,” Dominion Kendall said.

Even Angelica still had trouble accepting that Dusty could treat angels with such little regard for etiquette. She bowed to all three angels.

“I will be assigning them to guard you over the next few days. News will be getting around of the Heir’s appearance, and who knows what may happen. So for your safety…”

“I don’t disagree, even though it will be troublesome. I just hope you two find me worthy of protecting. Nothing’s worse than trusting your back to someone who couldn’t care less what happens to you.”

“We will protect you, sire,” Saleah said firmly.

“And I’ll withhold my trust until it is earned.”

“Sir!” Zedekiah turned to the Dominion. “He’s mocking the Choir.”

“And now you know why I told you would need to hold that tongue of yours, Zedekiah. I trust and respect him, and in time you will too.”

The archangel looked clearly displeased. “Yes, sir.”

“Saleah is the more level headed and intelligent of the two, though Zedekiah boasts much more skill.” Dominion Kendall said to Dusty. “I hope that you will find them useful.”

“I’m sure I can find something for them to do,” The Heir said with a smile.