For a moment she believed that she had said something terribly wrong. The smile on the knight's face, the flash of white teeth just beneath the brim of his hood, had vanished. It was not her intention to pry, or remind him of how he differed from the very being who had instilled him with such loyalty and honor. It was truly a shame to hear how her kind feared him, heartbreaking to know that he could only show himself among trusted individuals of the resistance. Gabriel was adamant that it remain that way, and Vail was quick to assure him that she would not do anything to jeopardize the concealment of his identity. "Of course, I would not dream of doing such a thing." Her voice was firm, yet gentle as it held all the sincerity in the world. The dragon knight must have sensed her curiosity, the desire to better understand his situation. The Princess knew what it was like to be hidden away from the world, never to truly experience its wonders with any real depth. He must have felt like a spectator in his own life, an onlooker to only observe and never to participate. Before she could pry further, the knight suggested that she try to rest. Vail paused, ceasing her stride as they had come full circle in the garden. The window to her room was only a few steps away, still open with the curtains billowing in the soft breeze that passed through.<br/><br/>"I suppose that is for the best." She nodded, offering him a weak smile though she felt like she had overstepped some boundary with him. While it was a suggestion that she turn in for the night, it sounded more like a dismissal, a gentle signal that the conversation was over. Vail turned and moved toward her window, pausing before she climbed back into her room. "You don't have to hide yourself from me . . . I know it is a necessary for the sake of yourself and others, but you do not have to with me. I'd actually like it if you didn't." Her words were ones of acceptance. It was not because he came with a letter with the stamp of approval from Lord Felhorn himself, or because he had laid down his sword and pledged his loyalty to her. Vail believed that he deserved to be proud, to be recognized for his actions and accomplishments rather than by his race. "Thank you for lending me your ear this evening, Gabriel. Good night."<br/><br/>The princess was up before the sun had risen above the horizon. The three handmaidens were behind her closed door, fussing at the excited princess to sit still and to remember all manner of fine details that went in one ear and out the other. When she emerged from her room she was beaming brightly, pleased with her casual attire. She had never worn pants before and she was fascinated by how easy the were to move in despite how the brown leather clung to her curves. A corset cinched her middle over top of a ivory blouse, and her hair was woven into a long, thick braid down her back. Vail looked as though she were an unassuming traveler rather than a lost ruler. Though the last thing they needed was to draw attention to themselves, she did look rather appealing-- not that it could be helped. The princess was a natural beauty. Even rags would have been becoming on her.<br/><br/>"Off with you both," Melina said, holding the door open for her. "Sebis is waiting with your horse."<br/><br/>Outside Vail said her goodbyes, giving the three women fierce hugs while they shed tears. She spent a good amount of time assuring them that she would be careful and that she would find some way to let them know she was alright once they arrived in Valdaran. After prying herself away from her caretakers, she mounted her horse alongside Gabriel, a bit somber as the little cottage she grew up in got smaller and smaller in the distance.