She stayed in step with him and gazed at his new uniform, "I heard they battle was difficult. No ones the same afterward. I was told you saved the day. A hero you're called. Cedric, it the highest honor to be chosen for a royal guard and Kate would be happy to have you as her protector. Her father has been trying to find a suitor for her. She has kept you a secret. How she has managed it? I am not sure. She the only person I know that keeps secrets. You won't have any competition. Be careful around Lord Marcus. He thinks he has been promised to Kate. No one likes him."<br/><br/>The song was done she led him back to Kate. "Here he is. Safe and sound. Oh, yes we have met. Last spring at the tournament. I severed sweet tarts. My older brother Sir Quin introduced us. I saw you a brief moment. I am surprised you remember."<br/><br/>She removed a glass of champain from a servant's tray. She looked at her dance card, "Thank you Kate. My next partner is Lady Adiyn's nephew, Daren. You met him at the Spring tournament Kate. He fought against Jon and was thrown from his house. He lost his place to Sir Alek."<br/><br/>Kate smiled and shrugged, "You are almost as bad as Sarah. How you can keep up with all the Knights and who bested who. I can't wait for someone to unseat Jon this year. Every morning at breakfast he bost how he won three years in a row. I am sick of it."<br/><br/>Elain patted Kate's shoulder. A few months longer and new champion will be determined. Hard to believe another year passed. I will see you at the festival of lights in town. The mage school will not be the same without you. Princess Amanda will be a bigger pain with you gone. I can't belive you can't give the graduation speech because she is royalty."<br/><br/>Kate hugged her, "I did what I was told. Get her to graduate. How she got honors. I am sure she cheated or found someone to do her homework. Godfather is happy. Papa, is happy I made higher marks than Momma."<br/><br/>She stared at Kate and held her hand, "You mother held the top rank since she graduated. Katiee, that means you made perfect marks. We have to celebrate. How could you not tell anyone."<br/><br/>Kate squeezed her hands and held her in place. She glanced at Cedric, "No. This their night. We will celebrate at Heidie's. They fought hard and worked years for this night. Do not take it away from them. I will be happy to have a celebration later. Go dance your partner's waiting. He looks impatient."<br/><br/>Kate sat down next to Cedric and the footman behind him dropped a tray of empty glasses, "She loves having an excuse to celebrate. This is your night. You are on edge."