6 Second sister also came back

Muriel was alarmed to hear that, but Evelyn didn't seem to take the warning seriously. "I'm always the most charming guest at any party," she said. "One conversation and I'll bewitch the princess."

Evelyn certainly did volunteer her services and she went off to be the princess' next companion.

And she came back even quicker than Sarana had done, weeping and shaking. "She's a monster!" Evelyn insisted. "Completely unreasonable!"

At this point, Muriel wasn't sure what the truth was. Her sisters had their tempers and they could exaggerate anything. Perhaps this princess was horrible. Or perhaps Muriel's sisters had tried the princess' patience, which had earned a nice load of wrath. One way or the other, Muriel couldn't decide.

But her father urged her to make a very important decision.

"The princess has asked for you to go to her, Ferret." He held her hands as he begged. "Please go, please! You're the most sensible girl here, and I know you'll please Her Highness."

Muriel sighed and told him, "Nobody will be here to care for the house while I'm gone."

Her father shook his head. "We'll manage. Don't worry. Go on to Her Highness and serve her well. You can send a portion of your allowance to us, and a woman of her status would pay you very well. You'll also meet all the finest people in the country. This is the best thing for you."

By the finest people, what her father meant was, "people who had some level of power in this country, usually wealthy." Muriel wasn't naive enough to assume these people were automatically fine, and she didn't have much interest in them.

But she knew that if she were able to serve this princess then her family would benefit from the money she'd earn. She'd also be able to save up for a very nice dowry for herself in time.

Muriel agreed to her father's wish. She wasn't leaping with joy, but she was willing to go to their lord's castle.