A royal page stepped in holding a slim, red box with the seal of House Orlean.
"A delivery from Duke Altair, Your Highness."
Evelisse gasped. "He sent me a thing?"
Inside was a small charm, carved from darkwood and polished with care. It was a sword, no longer than her thumb, with tiny runes etched along the hilt.
A note was tied to it with silver thread.
"To my fiercest dance partner. May this blade ward off dessert thieves and rogue tiaras."
She squealed. "I'll love this forever."
"Tell no one," Altair's note continued. "I have a reputation to maintain."
Evelisse clutched the charm to her chest. "Marta. I must find a chain. Immediately. This is now my Royal Knight Token. My trusty Fluffball(Fluffy) shall carry it during missions."
From her sleeve, Fluffy peeked out. "That's a lot of responsibility, princess. Do I get hazard pay?"
'Nope,' she whispered. 'You get honor. And cookies.'
"Acceptable."
