Chaol stole glances at Asty who was observing the movement of the flame in the fireplace. The young woman's eyes were locked upon the ashy trace as she brought some biscuits inside her mouth.  Vanilla-flavored confectionery cookies. These are the same snacks the King had offered them before they had left the Palace. He was reminded carefully to give the can of cookies to Asty so that she could eat them.  The King also had this scowl on his face when he told him not to dare take a single piece of it. He was cruel. He remembered his words clearly: "Give this to her and only her alone. You are not to take a bite of a single piece. I expect her feedback during her visit to the Palace." Asty noticed the Count staring at her as she bit the cookies

"I'm leaving."  Asty's head perched up and turned to Chaol as he fixes his suit. He withdraws a pocket watch from his pockets and looked at Asty.  "Where are you off to?" Asty asked him, resting her chin against the cushion. "Important matters."  Chaol was off to rendezvous with the King Vaughn of Chesterfawn back at the Palace. Yesterday, the count had received a message from Owl that the King wished to see him.  Owl and Yvonne have become Chaol's personal messenger.  "Take care then!" Asty waved at him goodbye as Chaol exits using the front door.  

"Hmmm..."    Asty was put in a bad disposition when she was surrounded by the Night Hallows on the dinner table.    From clockwise we have Chaol, Asty, Errol, Owl, and Yvonne all seated with their plates of food above the table.    "Stop staring Yvonne and focus on your food." Chaol told her.   Yvonne would then steal glances at Asty who have become conscious of her constant peeking.    "Do you want a drumstick, Miss Yvonne?" Asty asked her and offered the bowl of chicken to the woman.    "Hmmm..." Yvonne took two pieces of drumstick and casually takes a bite out of it. She continues to hum the obvious word 'hm

Galloping of a horse.   This was the indication that Chaol, Owl, and Yvonne had arrived from whatever business they attended to. It was already six the evening when the trio arrived from the City.    "We brought some stuff! Come help!" Yvonne yelled from outside.    Asty immediately opens the door and rushes to help them carrying huge boxes. Errol, too followed Asty as she runs towards them to help.    "You guys did some shopping?" Asty asked as she reached over to one of the boxes behind the carriage.    "Yes. I hate to admit it, but my home is too plain." Chaol replies and proceeded to stack two of the cartons for him to carry. 

Errol, Lana, Asty, and Yvonne snuggled together under a huge, fluffy blanket. They had a small oil lamp in the middle which illuminated the shadows they made from the inside. They were giggling. Yvonne reaches out to the bowl of snacks and took a few pieces in her mouth.   Suddenly there was a knock on the door.    "I'll go get it." Asty offers and slowly slipped herself away from under the sheets. "Wait!"   Asty pulled her creased clothes and flattened them as she opened the door. "Yes?"   It was Owl. "Can we borrow Errol for a minute?"   "Oh sure, why?" she asked, feeling a bit relieved that finally, someone had been acknowledging Errol's presence. "Are you boys having a slumber party t