Strangeness suddenly struck the Princess as she slipped through the corridor, guards in tow, and she bristled, not knowing quite what was wrong. A pale hand came to rest nervously on one of her protectors as she cast around. The Advisor's bedroom door was open, and servants were bustling in and out of what had become her sick room. The girl's cheeks drained of colour as a horrifying thought gripped her. Had the Advisor died and no one told her? Surely not...
Surely not..it kept repeating in her mind as she numbly slipped into the woman's wing in search of- Of who? Trembling hands fell to rest on her belly, the growing curve slightly evident, and she slipped behind her facade to resume a pleasant smile for the room's only current inhabitant who was reading a letter. "Good day, Lady Emersyn," she remarked quietly, her head inclining graciously to the elder.
The lady rose from her seat to offer the Princess a ready smile and curtsey as she returned her greeting, letter set aside. Tea was proposed and politely declined, Garnett finding herself unsteady in the presence of the woman. Every little fault, the wisp of escaped hair, the very slight skew of her belt, the minor callouses on her hands, the sometimes imperfect modulation of her voice .. it all seemed so terribly evident, and she found herself wanting to grip her hands behind her gown to hide them. Despite nerves, she shot a shy smile at the Lady von Pith, lips parting to say something, but she simply could not find the words.
"Forgive me for speaking plainly, Your Highness." Emersyn began when the girl seemed unable to, and there was surprising warmth in the older woman's voice. She laid a steadying hand on Garnett's arm, guiding her firmly to the divan where she sat next to her. "You seem like a woman who has something on her mind."
A nod confirmed the lady's statement, Garnett just catching herself before she began chewing on her lip. Oh, she felt like quite the toad around this woman, even if the whispers were true, which she doubted. Restless hands wanted to toy with her gown, and she firmly folded them in her lap as she squared her jaw. Her determination to speak with the lady was much like one facing down a bear. Searching her face with serious pale eyes, she took a deep breath to compose herself, finally asking quietly, "Has Lady Mereavus moved from her quarters?"
The worry in the lass's face surprised Emersyn, and much to Garnett's bewilderment, she found her hand clasped firmly in a dark one. Her eyes dipped toward them before darting back to the woman's face, seeking some reassurance. Had she known Emersyn, she would have known that her smile was tighter than usual, the crow's feet around her eyes deeper, but to her, the lady looked entirely composed as she nodded. "That she has, Your Highness. The Queen went to visit her Father, so her Huntsman thought it would be best to get her away from the stress of the castle."
Relief swept over that pale uncertain face, though there was a twinge of surprise at the Queen's absence. It was odd that she'd left with no farewells. Tucking that away to consider later, she nodded, giving the lady's hand a firm squeeze. "Oh, good, I was afraid something terrible had happened."
A glint in the Lady von Pith's eye told her that terrible things had happened and the worst still might occur, and it was difficult not to think how wan the woman had looked on that all too brief visit to the atrium. The worry that had disappeared for a moment returned in a flood, confusion touching her eyes. She struggled it away, mind twisting a bit. It was well known that the lady tended to the ill advisor, and it unnerved the Princess that she was not at her side. Surely she wished to be there!
"Lady Emersyn, would you mind terribly carrying a message to the Advisor for me?" Pale eyes lifted worriedly, that need to chew on her lip almost breaking through. Act as though you have the whole army behind you. The advice rang in her ears, smile twisting strangely. "I think she needs you at her side. Would that I could go to her too."
The elder woman was quick to nod and offer her assurances that she would do so, grateful to the awkward princess .. who would not be so if she grew some confidence. "It would be my pleasure, Your Highness. Thank you."
Tue Apr 21, 2009 8:33 pm