The two mysterious ladies were still sound asleep the next day. Prince Alberic received a letter at breakfast that his family, and all attending staff, had left their palace and were in route to his castle to stay until the wedding. Alberic sighed. “I'm not sure what to tell them about this.”

“About what?” Neil asked, as he collected the opened mail and set it aside for later.

“About these enchanted damsels, or whatever they are. Why would that old witch think I would want a rose bush that brings in strange females and puts them to sleep on my doorstep?”

“Maybe she expects you to kiss them and wake them up. Did you try that?” Neil asked.

The Prince scowled. “Of course I didn't! I'm engaged to be married! And quite happy about it, too! I have no interest in kissing complete strangers when I can kiss the love of my life instead.”

“Maybe it would wake them up, though,” the valet shrugged.

“And then they fall in love with me and cause no end of trouble. And just before my wedding, too. No, if you want to see if true love's kiss can wake them up, you go ahead and try.”

Neil ignored him. “Does His Highness wish to wear full dress today just in case his royal parents arrive early, or does His Highness wish to hide in his closet to put on clean pants as soon as he hears a carriage on the drive?”

Alberic made a face at his valet, who also was his best friend and most privy adviser. “I doubt they will be here today. You know Tamlin doesn't travel well. They will probably have to stop every couple of hours for her to get out and breathe.”

“Ah yes. I had blocked the memory that your sister was also coming.” Neil winced.

“Of course she's coming, she's my sister, and it's my wedding. You can avoid her if you want.” Alberic leaned back in his chair. “But I am pretty sure she's not in love with you anymore.”

“Thank goodness for that. I worried she'd never get over that phase.”

“Well, if she didn't, it wouldn’t have been a phase, would it have been?” he couldn't resist teasing Neil a little. “Give me clean pants and just a shirt and vest, but lay out a jacket near my desk that I can grab in a hurry if I need to.”

“Yes Sir. I am told that the guest rooms for the royal family are all prepared and freshened.” Neil stood to leave the breakfast room and tucked the papers under his arm.

“We didn't put those sleeping girls in any of them, did we?” Alberic asked.

“No Sir. The room they are in is the one that was designated for Lady Kerin's second brother, Sir Kelvin.”

Alberic made another face, an uglier one this time. “Kelvin can sleep in the barn, if I have my say.”

Neil grinned. “Luckily you don't. Well, I suppose you do, but only at the risk of offending your wife and her family.”

“Which is the only reason he's invited at all. I suppose no one can pick their families, not even the wonderful Kerin.” Alberic finished his breakfast and rose as a servant came to clear his plates. “Tell the grounds master that I can see him any time,” and he took himself off to his office.

The Grounds Master was not thrilled to have the added duty of guarding the gate and rose bush against wandering maidens, on top of the added duties brought on by the King's visit. But he just nodded and went off to put things in place, leaving Alberic to answer his letters.

There were no new incidents at the gate that morning or afternoon, much to Alberic's relief. Word did come that none of the parties out searching for the witch had found any sign, however. Alberic was not surprised, though he had held a small hope that it could be easy.

Kerin seemed unaffected by strangeness at all, as far as her fiancé could see, so smoothly did she add in checking on their unexpected guests to all of the other duties she was picking up and the last minute wedding plans. Letters and gifts continued to be delivered from those invited, and it took her hours each day to record and reply to each one, but she never complained. She also had to stand for dress fittings and approve every arrangement for the kitchens and dining halls. Everyone would have understood if she hadn't picked up her duties as Lady of the House until after the wedding, but they were all grateful for her level head and clever thinking.

Alberic was complaining, but that was normal for him. No one who knew him at all worried about it. As long as he was just complaining, everything would turn out fine. It was when he went cold and silent that people started to look for cover, and Kerin's presence held those moods far at bay.

His father sent word as they left the Inn in the morning, that they expected to arrive later that day. Alberic allowed Neil to put him in appropriate clothing, sent warnings to Kerin and the household steward, and arranged a room for his sister to be ready immediately, because Tamlin would likely need to lie down as soon as she got there. Then he got back to work until word reached him that the royal traveling party's arrival was imminent.

Kerin met him in the front parlor, and approved his appearance. They stepped out to meet the coach hand in hand.

The footmen were holding the door open on the first carriage, which gleamed with gold leaf and waved with feathers and flags at every corner. “Albie!” came a voice from inside.

“Hello, Mother,” Alberic answered as he stepped past the footman to helped her down himself. “Welcome back, and thank you for coming.” Alberic gave her a squeeze and a peck on the cheek. Kerin also gave her a hug, because they had known each other all of Kerin's life and saw no need to stand on ceremony when they would soon be family.

“Oh Kerin, you look so lovely! Are you sure you still want to marry this oaf? Surely you could do better!” Queen Helene smiled fondly at her son despite the words, and they turned to help her daughter out of the carriage.

Tamlin was tiny and dark haired, almost the opposite of the strong, fair Kerin. They exchanged a more polite hug, and then attention turned to the King swearing as he tried to fit his huge frame out the doorway of the carriage.

“Why do they make these so tight?”

“Watch your language, Algernon. And you had that carriage custom made, so why don't you tell us?” His wife looked on disapprovingly. Alberic stepped in and give the footmen a hand with steadying the King as he finally managed to get both feet onto the ground. The footmen moved to start unpacking the luggage with the help of the castle staff. Another coach presumably carrying the royal servants and staff, pulled up behind as a third was turning into the drive.

The castle's staff moved in to take the luggage, and Alberic turned to escort his mother and sister inside only to find Tamlin walking the wrong way back down the driveway. “Tamlin?” Alberic called after her, but she didn't respond. Since Kerin still had her hands empty, she followed the girl and quickly caught up, though Tamlin showed no sign of slowing. Alberic saw Kerin's face grow concerned and set out after them even before Kerin waved for assistance.

“Where are you going, sis?” Alberic tried to stand in front of her, and she pushed past him and kept walking. “Tamlin, answer me.” He stood in her way again, bracing himself, and she walked into him, but instead of stopping, she pushed like she didn't know he was there. Finally he grabbed her by the shoulders and gave her a shake.

Kerin mentally drew a line along Tamlin's path and line of sight. “Oh no. Alberic, I wonder if it's the rose bush. The magic one.”

Alberic stared at his sister and groaned. “She's a Princess, yes, but she's my sister!”

“How smart do you think bushes are? We need to get her inside, away from it.”

Alberic physically picked Tamlin up and tossed her over his shoulder. As soon as he took one step back towards the house and away from the roses, she began to kick and scream. She wasn't so small that Alberic didn't stumble under the onslaught, but refused to let her go, or stop. Kerin went ahead to clear a path through the staring onlookers.

“Sorry, she'll be fine, just needs some rest, I'm sure...” Alberic barely glanced at his parents as he clamped one arm tighter around his sister's flailing legs to get her through the front door. “Kerin, which room is hers?”

“The rose one. Up two flights of stairs.”

“Of course.” He took a deep breath and started up, drawing stares from household staff of both castle and palace as he went.

Finally he was able to drop Tamlin onto the bed that had been set aside for her use. Kerin and Tamlin's maid followed him in.

Tamlin quit screaming, but only long enough to yell “Get out of my way!” at her brother and charge towards the door again. Alberic caught her around her waist and swung her back onto the bed while Kerin raced to shut and latch the chamber door.

“This... oof, stop it Tam! This is going to be a problem.”

“Should we just cut it down?” Kerin ignored the knocking on the other side of the door.

“But the other girls... Ouch! I don't know! Did the Wizard come with?” Alberic looked to Kerin.

“How would I know? I have only seen as much as you.”

“Umm, pardon me...” The lady's maid said, barely above a whisper, “Yes, he did. He traveled with the luggage. At least he was supposed to.”

Alberic and Kerin looked at each other. “Does this door have a lock?” Alberic asked.

“Not yet.” Kerin looked determined.