10 "You are being watched"

"Your hands look as if they'll crumble to dust."

Muriel gave another nod.

"And your face looks pressed."

Another nod, another sip.

"Your sisters had me believing that all is well in your family, but after seeing you I'm wondering if that's true."

Muriel sighed.

"Your Highness, we have food and shelter. What more could we need?"

Princess Arya's eyelids shifted a bit. Her lips tightened. But she said, "That's fine. Do you know how to play any music?"

"I have an elementary comprehension of pianos," Muriel said.

"That's perfect. I'll have you play a song for me once your finished with your tea."

Muriel had no problem with this. Certainly, this princess wouldn't expect her to be a master of piano music. She'd only want some mild entertainment. She nodded. "Yes, Your Highness."

"Now, before you finish that cup, I need to give you very important information." The princess' eyes were much more focused on Muriel's own eyes. She wanted Muriel's attention, demanded it. Muriel felt an odd tremor down her spine. She couldn't explain it.

"Madam? Have I offended you?"

Princess Arya shook her head and put her graceful hands in her lap. "Muriel, you are being watched. As long as you are on this land, you should always assume you are being watched. The only refuge you have is the bedchamber provided to you."

Muriel's brow crinkled as she puzzled over those words for a moment. Thankfully, the princess let her keep her thoughts without any distraction. Then Muriel asked, "Your Highness, do you mean that I am being monitored closely to see if I am a suitable companion?"

The princess shook her head again. "I'll explain what I mean at a later date, but for now you should know that you are always watched. Don't do anything you wouldn't want anyone to see."

"Am I being watched this moment?"

"Obviously, yes. I'm right here, looking at you, but generally you need to assume someone else is watching you."

"Someone else?" Muriel put her cup and saucer down.

"Yes." The princess gripped one edge of her cloak as if she wanted to rip the material. It was the only sign Muriel could notice that implied anything stressful. "Are you still willing to stay here?"

This was odd.

But Muriel wanted to know what all this meant. If it was harmless, she would continue to stay. If it wasn't harmless, she would find a way to leave.

Besides, her family needed the money.

"As long as I have privacy in my bedchamber, then I can live well." Muriel wasn't a sneaky type of person anyway. She put on a smile. "I'll leave my cup alone. I want to play the piano now. Would that be fine, Your Highness?"

The princess rose from her seat. Her skirts made the frothiest, most indulgent noises as they fell back into shape. "Eager to flaunt your skills, are you?"

"Oh no, Your Highness." Muriel stood up too. "It's only that my crumbling hands need to move or else I'll turn mad."

Shit! Was that too rude?

Muriel took a fast bit of breath into herself and put a hand on her chest. Then she made a desperate little smile.

One of Princess Arya's shoulders jerked up. "That's fine, then. Follow me to the music room."