The maidens in the grates and shafts were trained very well, they did not weep or whimper when faced with abject terror.  However, this limited the amount they could take in while listening.  There were quite a few nobles who planned to go after the princess, some decided to go right for the king, and one thought about launching a coup against all of them.  All of these seemed to the maidens like very bad plans and most agreed later that there was little to be concerned with.  There had been snippets of conversation heard from the room adjacent concerning the murder of one, Lord Butches, but nothing of consequence to their mistress.  Still, she would interrogate them once they returned, and if they had nothing to report, the would certainly be lashed... or worse.<br/><br/><br/>__________________<br/><br/>Lilliana, who had finished brushing out her lovely blonde hair, went down to the catacombs to visit her brother and bid him good-day.  She stepped noiselessly down the stairs, bringing only the slightest ruffle of her lace and linen bed clothes.  Her feet were well covered in beautiful red embroidered slippers.  She hated wearing them into the catacombs because she considered them diry.  In fact, if her brother didn't insist on sleeping there, she wouldn't venture anywhere near them.  She reached the end of the staircase and heard a faint clicking behind her.<br/><br/>She intook a sharp breath, knowing what the noise was instantly.  Winnafred, her brother's spider.  The thing was beastly, huge and simply unpleasant, but Eurich loved her for some reason.  Lilliana let the breath escape from her lungs, though there really was no need for her to inhale or exhale.  It was just an instinctual reaction to the arachnid's presence.<br/><br/>She ignored the bug and continued on to Eurich's chambers.  She moved the gate and the curtain and peeked her head in.  Eurich was reading in his bed clothes, light powder-blue long-johns and a blouse that matched.  Lilliana smiled brightly, as these were the pajamas she had purchased for him several years ago.  She liked them on him then and she liked them on him now.  Though her mind had changed regarding their relationship, she still thought of him as strikingly handsom.<br/><br/>"Good-day Eurich!"  She called, her little face peeking through the curtains.  Eurich beckoned her in and sat up in bed, retrieving his slate.  "Eurich, you don't have to write good-" He pushed the slate toward her with writing already on it. He knew her routine and was prepared for her visit.  It read: With the festivities underway, I don't think you should sleep in your room.  Stay here with me and I'll lock the gate.<br/><br/>"Oh- you worry for me far too much!  You know that I have the same powers as you! I am perfectly capable of defending myself should an attack arise."  She folded her arms and turned from him.  She pouted a little, knowing it would make him feel worse, or thinking it would.<br/><br/>Eurich sighed, erasing and jotting another few sentiments on the board, but it appeared Lilliana would have none of it.  Until Eurich grabbed her by the shoulder and pulled her onto the bed, causing her to giggle and roll to the other side.  He slipped her the slate and she read: The Hisuka family has already sworn they would do nothing against you, but no one else has made that promise.  I would feel more at ease if you were here.<br/><br/>"I know Sofia would do nothing to harm me.  I think she and I are friends now." Lilliana said earnestly, looking a little more concerned as she remembered all the families that had arrived that night.  "But if it would put your mind to rest, then I'll stay."  She paused. and her eyebrows knitted. "But there will be no creatures with more or less than two legs in the bed with us.  Do you understand?"  She raised her finger when emphasising the point, just as her mother did.<br/><br/>Eurich sighed and nodded.  Winnie wouldn't like it one bit, but it wasn't her life he feared for.  With the argument settled, Eurich stood and pulled the gate completely closed and locked  it.  If anyone came for Lilliana or he, they would have to get through the gate and not make a sound.  It wasn't likely to happen.  He crawled into the raised bed with Lilliana, who wasted no time in entangling herself around him again, just as they'd started the night.