Page 36 of The Princess of Portals

His smile was bigger than ever before.

“Though for me to give it a shot, you’d actually have to let me read this famous Code of Conduct, you know.”

“That can be arranged. After the Initiation Ceremony, of course.”

Of course. Ever the proper Knight.

I felt my lips stretch into a smile. “Initiation Ceremony? I think you mean the Masquerade Ball.”

“The Ball is mostly secondary.”

“Tell that to all the Apprentices who’ve worked themselves into a frenzy over the Ball.”

He shook his head. “I don’t understand this frenzy.”

“Frenzy? It’s a state of wild and uncontrolled excitement.”

“I know what the word means, Seven. I just don’t understand the necessity of its existence. Knights don’t succumb to bouts of frenzy.”

“Ooh, is that a sneak peek at one of the pearls of wisdom inside the Code of Conduct?” I teased him. “I thought you were going to wait until I’m a Knight to share its secrets with me.”

“You are incorrigible.” He watched me closely, tiny sparks of magic twinkling in his eyes, amusement fighting to break free. All it needed was a little push.

“What’s the matter?” I laughed. “Afraid these ‘bouts of frenzy’ might be contagious?”

“You don’t appear to be in a state of frenzy about the Ball.”

“I guess I have a lot on my mind. There’s not much time to worry about silly things like dresses and dates.”

“Do you have one?” he asked.

I grunted. “Well, after the disaster at the dress shop, Nevada and I both agreed that it would be better for everyone—most especially the Magic Emporium’s shop owners—if she continued shopping alone and just picked up a dress for me. After all, I do somehow manage to get attacked every time I go to the Magic Emporium. First, it was bandits during my Discovery Quest—twice, by the way—then the fiasco with the Templar. I swear I must be cursed. I can’t even go shopping without being attacked.”

“It’s not just shopping, Seven. You seem to get attacked wherever you go.”

He wasn’t wrong about that.

I sighed. “I’m a walking disaster.”

Kato took a step toward me, taking my hands in his. “You aren’t a disaster. Do you remember what I told you the first time we met?”

“Actually, I believe it was something along the lines of what a disaster I am.”

“No.” He looked at me, his smile both wistful and proud. “I told you that it’s the weird, special people who change the world. Unfortunately, the people who save the world are also the ones who are constantly getting attacked. But as long as the bad guys are after you, it means you’re doing the right thing. Remember that.”

I let his words sink in, and, despite myself, I actually felt better. “I like these pep talks of yours, Kato.”

He bowed to me. He was so adorable.

“Ok,” I said. “I’ll handle the bad guys. And Nevada will handle my dress. She has great taste. I know she’ll pick out something that makes me look pretty.”

“You always look pretty, Seven.”

The way he said it, it wasn’t so much a compliment as a statement of fact. But I blushed anyway.

“Uh, thanks,” I said, clearing my throat. “Though always is a pretty dangerous word. I hope you’ll warn me if my makeup’s smeared or my dress is stuck in my pantyhose before I burst through the doors into the Ball. And if I’m a total mess, please don’t tell me that I look pretty.”

He bowed again, graceful and powerful. I wished I could bow so perfectly.