But why was she not permitted friends here? Why did Dove have to sneak away and work around her restrictions? Her cage was a magnificent verdant one, but it was a cage nonetheless. As far as he was aware, she was not sickly or frail, she was not shameful or strange, and she was not a child. Surely a daughter this charming and fair would be debuted most proudly by her parents? The mystery was a deep one, but he would not pry. Dove would offer whatever she felt he needed to know. The rest was mysterious, yes... but it was also her business, and her business alone.

Arven's pensive look broke into a smile of amusement. "Yes, you are the most horrid", he purred.

Thus reflected in the pool, Arven took her hands gently, raised them and placed a kiss upon them. "Believe me, Dove, if your desire is to break rules then you have secured yourself the perfect partner-in-crime."