The hall looped through all the areas the servants might need to access for work, eventually ending at the courtyard. Snatched rays of moonlight traced the flowers, and the young woman standing in their midst. She rested, arms at her sides and one foot pointed while the other held all her weight, as though she prepared to spring forward. She stayed motionless, however, as Siegfried and Rue picked their way over petals in unison. He inclined his head respectfully, but the enfolding silence was Tutu's. She would break it in her own course.

“I am sorry... for my earlier manner, Your Highness,” she murmured. Her eyes were kept from any light by her lowered gaze, making them the same shade as the night sky. The clumsy blush over her cheeks gave her the look of a younger, more awkward girl. Rue couldn't help but notice it, and she was surprised at how easily an accepting smile came.

“It's alright,” she said graciously, only to recoil slightly when Tutu turned to her directly. She was too quiet, the softness in her face somehow unbreakable for all its delicacy, but Rue found it a poorly fitting mask.

“I thank you, Princess.” Once again, Tutu's acknowledgment was politely sincere, but she remained nervous for the prince's answer. It was the same, of course.

“You needn't worry,” He replied. He regarded her kindly, and spoke as if to reassure her. “I would only like for you to be comfortable. You are a guest, and may stay as long as you wish.”

Her mouth shaped a startled circle, facing a gift that she did not know quite what to do with, the Christmas sweets that had been neglected by the children. He said stay with “us”, not stay with “me,” she thought, and then blinked, as though that would banish such ideas. She had assumed she would return to her own castle, but both the prince and the princess seemed to desire her presence. She swallowed, and smiled strongly. “That is most generous, Prince... Thank you, I will be glad to remain.”

“Excellent.” Rue seemed to be talking more to Siegfried than to Tutu, though she watched the other princess steadily.