The door to the female facilities opened and the two women walked outside, nodding to the guard as they turned and walked towards their seats coming towards Kahal.

"I was beginning to think you kidnapped my date." Kahal said in jest to Rahn.

Rahn's eyes rounded as she took in a sharp breath, opening her mouth and acting as if she was nervous. "Of course not, my Lord. There was simply a long line to wait for all the females to use the facilities. I hope we haven't missed the start of the second act?"

He shook his head, fighting the smile that wanted to escape him at Rahn's act.

"Oh, wonderful." Rahn said as she turned to Biechta. "It was such a pleasure getting to know you while we waited, my lady."

"A pleasure for me as well, Lana." Biechta gave a slight nod to the other female.

The three of them walked back to the royal box, a guard opened the door for them and stepped to the side, motioning for lady Biechta to go in first.

Biechta nodded and stepped through, just as Kahal gently held Rahn's arm. "Lana, might I have a quick word?"

"Oh? Of course, my Lord." They stepped a few feet to the side, Rahn, fidgeting with her dual purpose earring. "You need to speak with me, my Lord?"

Kahal remembered that it might be the same people listening on the other side, and they might remember his voice. So he altered it just slightly and spoke softly. If Biechta noticed, she hadn't said anything.

"Thuq has been with me many years."

"Yes, my lord. He has always spoken very highly of you. He values his position very much."

"I think highly of him as well. He is not simply my administrative assistant, but a close friend as well."

"That is wonderful to hear."

"I try not to meddle in others' personal matters, but I find myself curious. What are your intentions with my friend?"

A moment of silence passed between the two.

"You are worried something will happen?"

He nodded.

"We have a history, my lord... as you know." She began, choosing her words carefully. "However, right now we have simply been taking things one day at a time and seeing how things go. We have been doing well as of late, I believe. But time will tell. I can only hope for the best, for both of our sakes."

He sighed. So she didn't know anything concrete. "And if you feel he isn't the life partner for you, you will let him know sooner than later?" Hoping she would understand his meaning.

She sighed. She knew he was telling her to let them know as soon as she knew anything to do with the threat. "Once I figure that out, I'll be sure to let him know. One way or the other. And I can only hope he will do the same."

"Of course." He paused. "I apologize for intruding, I simply worry for my friend."

"I understand." She offered him a light smile.

They returned to their seats and then production continued. Another intermission occurred, and then the production came to a close. The audience cheered and roared. He found himself smiling, seeing all of his people happy. And seeing them enjoying all of the hard work that the performers had put into their performances. But he still felt confused. The group had wanted to harm the Premier just weeks ago, and yet here they had the perfect opportunity to attempt something. They were all together a few times over the past few days, and nothing had happened.

Not that he had wanted anything to happen, but it just seemed off. A group willing to take action doesn't just change their mind, and no longer decide their cause is worth it. Not only was all of the premier in one place, but all of the other lords and ladies. It just didn't make sense.

"Did you not enjoy the production, my Lord?" A soft voice asked from beside him. He turned to see Lady Biechta staring at him.

"Oh. I apologize, I was just thinking about something. No, it was truly wonderful. They did a wonderful job, didn't they?"

They returned to their seats and then production continued. Another intermission occurred, and then the production came to a close. The audience cheered and roared. He found himself smiling, seeing all of his people happy. And seeing them enjoying all of the hard work that the performers had put into their performances. But he still felt confused. The group had wanted to harm the Premier just weeks ago, and yet here they had the perfect opportunity to attempt something. They were all together a few times over the past few days, and nothing had happened.

Not that he had wanted anything to happen, but it just seemed off. A group willing to take action doesn't just change their mind, and no longer decide their cause is worth it. Not only was all of the premier in one place, but all of the other lords and ladies. It just didn't make sense.

"Did you not enjoy the production, my Lord?" A soft voice asked from beside him. He turned to see Lady Biechta staring at him.

"Oh. I apologize, I was just thinking about something. No, it was truly wonderful. They did a wonderful job, didn't they?"

"Yes!" She clasped her hands together in front of her chest. The actors, the musicians, and everything was just so amazing. And the story! Can all of that really be true?!"

He chuckled lightly. "It is. I witnessed much of it."

"Who would have ever imagined something like this would happen in our lifetime! It's so romantic."

"Oh?" He eyed the female as his brow muscle rose. I guess he shouldn't be surprised that she was a romantic, she probably spent a lot of time reading books and dreaming of a day where a male would come, sweep her off her feet and save her from her uncle's strict ways. It gave him a slight tinge of sadness that he didn't feel that way for her, he couldn't do that for her. But he was sure someone would. She was nice and a good person. She just wasn't for him.

He turned and looked at Rahn, seeing her and Thuq approaching them. "I trust you enjoyed the production?" He said to both of them.

Thuq nodded but Rahn replied. "Everyone did their parts well. But that guard at the end... What a risk to trust that alien girl so much. I could never have done such a thing!"

Kahal couldn't help the slight tip upwards of his lips at her comment about herself.

"Yes, that was very brave of her!" Biechta responded. "She must be a wonderful judge of character."

"Yes, it would seem so." Kahal responded while keeping his eyes locked on Rahn's. It seems they both were struggling to keep back a laugh, while Thuq began coughing into his hand, oviously, trying not to laugh himself.

"Are you all right, dear?" Rahn turned and looked at Thu.

"Yes, yes. I'm fine. Thank you."

"Oh, Lana. We are going backstage to meet some of the cast and congratulate them. You should come too!" Biechta said but then her her eyes rounded in surprise. Kahal chuckled inwardly. She was coming out of her shell a little bit, and it was a pleasure to see. He hated the shell of a person she was when she first arrived. But her features quickly changed into embarrassment. "I apologize, Lord Kahal. It wasn't my place..."

Kahal saw her uncle, Lord Teth, bristling in anger at his niece, and open his mouth to say something as he walked toward them. So he quickly spoke up before the male could utter a word, and make him angry. "Think nothing of it, my lady. Of course, Thuq and his date are welcome. What do you say?" He turned and asked them. They both nodded and said their thanks for the invitation.

They quickly left the royal box, leaving Lord Teth and his family staring after them. But he was not about to extend them an invitation as well. Two guards walked with them as they made their way towards the back of the stage. Once they arrived, they were greeted by Kietnan and Ashima.

"Bi!" Ashima came running up and gave the female a hug. "What did you think? I just know you loved it, right?"

Biechta smiled. "Yes, it was so wonderful." Biechta turned to Rahn. "Ashima you must meet Lana, Thuq's date for the evening. Lana, this is Ashima."

Ashima smiled. "It's so lovely to meet you Lana. Did you enjoy the production as well?"

Kahal released a sigh of relief that Ashima seamlessly kept up with the charade and gave nothing away. He had to commend her acting skills.

"Yes, truly magnificent. It's an unbelievable story. So many twists and ups and downs."

"You can say that again." Ashima sighed.

"I had no idea you had gone through so much, Ashima. How did you ever go through it?" Asked Biechta.

"I think simply because I had to. I may have been brave at times, but there were also plenty of tears shed and moments of panic, I can assure you." Ashima chuckled. "I must admit, it does make for a good play. Halan truly did a wonderful job bringing all of this together. And so quickly!"

They all nodded in agreement. "Speaking of which, where is Halan and my other brothers?" Kahal asked.

"We haven't seen them yet. I'm sure everything is a bit crazy for Halan right now." Kietnan and answered.

A moment later, Othen walked up to them. "Greetings, everyone. What did you think?!" He asked excitedly.

Kahal noticed his brother seemed to direct the question directly at Lady Biechta, and he further noticed how she seemed to look anywhere but at him. Interesting.

"Oh, it was done so perfectly. The actors, the props, and the music! It was all done so well. Congratulations Othen." Ashima said excitedly.

"Thank you, Ashima." Othen turned to look at her. "But of course the biggest congratulations goes to my sister-in-law."

"Yes, where is she?" Ashima asked.

"She asked us to meet at her office. I'll escort you." Othen said before turning to Rahn. "I must apologize, have we met?"

"Oh, forgive me, lord Othen. This is my date for this evening, Lana. Lana, this is lord, Othen." Thuq introduced them.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Lana. I hope you are enjoying the evening." Othen offered her a nod.

"Yes, of course, my Lord. Thank you." Rahn nodded at him.

The three couples and three guards followed him into a room towards the back of the theater.

"I had no idea the back of the theater would be so vast. It seems almost as large as the sitting area of the theater itself!" Rahn/Lana commented.

"Right?!" Ashima said animatedly. "I've been back here several times, helping give opinions on the props and costumes and everything and I just still cannot believe how much happens back here. It's very impressive."

As they made their way through the maze of props and hallways and storage rooms, Kietnan and Kahal fell slightly toward the back and whispered to each other.

"You didn't have any trouble getting Lord Toth not to follow you?" Kietnan smirked.

Kahal scoffed. "We simply turned around and left, not offering him an invitation. I have little patience for that man right now."

Kietnan nodded, obviously in agreement. "So what do you make of this? They didn't take advantage of the opportunity? They did seem to be the type to let others do their dirty work during the last attempt. Stay in the shadows. Maybe they couldn't make that work for them this time."

"It just doesn't make sense, even so. They would have found a way if they wanted to. It just doesn't make any sense to me. They haven't taken advantage of any of these opportunities over the past two days? And now, there is no other planned event where all of the premier will be joined together."

"The night is not over."

"Yes, but now we are all scattered. Something just feels off. We are missing something. Perhaps-"

"Kahal! Kietnan! Get over here!" Halan called out as Othen led them into the room.