It's afternoon and I still haven't seen Cyndi anywhere. Everyone is moving slower and schedules are delayed due to the immense job of cleaning up. Our servants and extra hired help are busy putting the palace back together. I haven't dared to go below to the ground floor. The sound alone would prevent any sleeping.

So where is she? I've been to the kitchen twice and asked Bastian casually about the sisters. He nearly jumped out from under his toque.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, have any of the young ladies come down for breakfast, or lunch for that matter?"

"Gwendolyn came down first and demanded a Bloody Mary which she guzzled like a soldier. She isn't as much of a lady as she presumes to be."

"So I have gathered."

Encouraged, Bastian continues. "Dora came down and ate delicately. Two poached eggs and toast fingers. She enjoys eating like a princess. I think she and the Prince will make each other very happy."

I nod and and lift out my palms for him to continue.

"I, uh, saw, uh Tori for only a moment. She came down and seemed very out of sorts. I was ready to give her anything but she only wanted toast and juice."

I frown. Bastian loves to feed people, its the source of his greatest enjoyment. Perhaps he is distressed that no one asked him to prepare a special meal.

"So, you saw Gwendolyn, Dora and Tori. Anyone else?"

Now it was Bastian's turn to raise his eyebrows and give me a careful look. I could tell he was remembering my state of undress when I ordered him out of the bushes early this morning. Why had he been hiding? He has questions as well, so I continue brusquely, "Well, there are other members of the family. What about Dowager Maggie, Charlotte and oh, uh, Cyndi?"

"The Dowager took her breakfast at her usual time. Read the paper and had a large pot of tea. She dined alone, ahead of the others. Cyndi came down soon after the Dowager had left. She stole the tea pot and the linens holding the remaining pastries. I would have been perplexed at the absence of these items but I clearly saw her from the backside as she darted through the door heading back upstairs. She acted quite the burglar."

Interesting news. Why was she so intent upon not being seen? Why was she sneaking around? I should think she would feel as though she has rights to being here. Having bed the King often changes a woman's demeanor. Adding thoughts of status and privilege. This does not sound anything like that.

"I believe I have fallen in love." Bastian's declaration fells me like a sword.

"Not you. You are the incorrigible bachelor. You go through women like you consume ingredients. You always cook something amazing after having sex. Come to think of it, there are no tantalizing smells. You haven't even started dinner. What is wrong with you?"

"I've just told you. I have fallen in love. The odd thing of it is, I cannot think of what to make. I have never been at a loss for ideas. I just fed the multitudes and I have ingredients to make anything in this world but I can't settle on anything other than roasted swan. They are so beautiful that I could not bear to kill and pluck and roast such a beautiful bird."

"Yes, that would be foul to look outside at our lake and discover one swan missing. We couldn't have that. Perhaps you can compromise, Cygnus hen or Delta Ohr Poulet."

"Oh, there can be no compromise. I am a man of passion and I must answer to my heart. What can I do?"

"Well, I guess we can all suffer for a few days until you sort yourself out." I pat him on the back.

"I don't need your consolation. I am brimming, full of life and optimism. I pity you the more. You will never see your way to happiness, believing your heart is made of stone and your will is impervious."

"My will is imperial, that is all. As for my heart, it beats away just fine."

"Even so, I pity you, Petros."

I turn on my heel. If he wasn't my oldest and most genuine friend I would have made him take that back. Pity. Me? The man was clearly out of sorts. I hoped he fell out of love soon. Two men in the palace in love was too much to bear. These were dangerous times.