"Going somewhere, Noah?" Princess Ines asked, smiling faintly.
"Not particularly." Noah answered, leaning back in his chair.
She folded her hands neatly on the table, her golden eyes studying Noah with that same calm curiosity she always seemed to have.
"So," she began lightly, "where will you be spending the holidays?"
Noah held her gaze, wondering why she was asking.
"Here," he replied. "In the academy."
Ines tilted her head, a small smile appearing on her face at his answer. "You're not going home?"
"I don't have a home here," he said simply, pushing his empty plate aside.
Her smile flickered for the briefest moment, then returned, more polite and composed, but softer somehow.
"Oh, yeah. I forgot. I just wanted to remind you of your promise."
Noah glanced up, one brow raised. "Oh?"
"The Winter Ball," she said. "It'll be held at the palace before the holiday ends."
