Dolph realized that the stage was his. "Um, 'Lectra," he called.

Electra got up and came to him. "Of course, Dolph," she said. She brought out a small handkerchief and used it to wipe his face; he had a bit of eclair on it. "May I kiss you one last time?"

"No," he told her gently.

"Beautiful!" Metria murmured.

Electra turned away. She wanted him to be happy, so she was not making any scene. She was dutifully giving him up because she loved him. So many aspects of her were coming into focus now that he should have seen long ago!

Nada was not in a wedding dress, but it didn't matter; she was beautiful in ordinary clothing. She took a step toward the table where the vial of love elixir was.

"Please, no," Dolph told her. "I—I have something to say, and I hope you will understand."

"Of course, Dolph," she said, exactly as Electra had.

He took a breath, nerved himself, and spoke, as he had rehearsed it to himself in the night. "Oh, Nada, I'll always love you. But I can't marry you."

Electra's face turned to him, expressionless.

Nada blinked. "What?"

"Oh, for censored's sake!" the demoness snapped, fading out in a cloud of deep disgust.

Dolph gulped. "I—I am breaking our betrothal, Nada. Because the fault is mine, the forfeit is mine. The alliance between my folk and yours must be honored as it has been. You may—may marry whom you choose. I hope always to be your friend, and the friend of your folk. And—but—may I kiss you one last time?"

Nada was recovering her wits, which had scattered somewhat. "Not till you tell me why," she said as she caught the last one.

"Because I won't divorce 'Lectra. I—I know her better, now, and she loves me, and she's doing everything she can to make me happy no matter how it hurts her, and she's really more my type—I mean, she likes pillow fights and things, and she's closer to my age, and you—I guess I thought no one else could have what you have, but 'Lectra does, and freckles too, and I can drink that vial of love potion and look at her, and it's just better this way."

"So you're dumping me," Nada said.

Dolph scuffled his feet. "Yes."

"So that's the meaning of the Answer!" King Nabob said. "The Good Magician Humfrey told us to 'Marry what Draco brings'—and Draco brought Dolph, and yesterday I married Dolph to Electra!"

"I'll kiss to that," Nada said. She took hold of Dolph and gave him a kiss that reminded him of the past night. Oh yes, he loved her—but not quite the same way as he had before. He had learned some things, and matured, and he knew what he had to do.