12 The master of the castle

Some time for herself? How lovely! But Muriel wanted to know something first. She quietly said to Princess Arya, "Your Highness, I hope you'll forgive me if this question seems impolite."

The princess rolled her eyes. "Go on and ask the question so I can judge it for myself."

"I've heard that His Highness, the master of this castle, is unwell and bedridden. Is this true?"

Princess Arya took an oddly long sip of her tea, quiet and methodical, her eyes closing as if she was trying to decompress her mind. Then her eyes opened and sharpened, but Muriel couldn't exactly believe that those brown eyes were seeing her own blue-gray ones. The princess wasn't likely seeing her.

Those cocoa fingers lowered the princess' yellow cup to its saucer.

She inhaled and exhaled rather dramatically.

The brown eyes closed.

Opened.

And became very, very motherly.

"My son is quite ill." Her words were slower, milder, and almost lethargic. For a moment, Muriel wondered if someone had drugged her. That thought had Muriel's breath arresting itself. What if someone poisoned the princess and thought to blame her, the new companion?! What if this was all some complicated political trap that she was only a small part of?!

"Your ... Your Highness?" Muriel reached over and let her hand cup over the darker one that held the cup's handle. "Are you feeling well?"

Her black eyelashes fluttered and her lips slackened.

But then her face tightened back up. She looked ... happy. She even seemed more youthful.

A wonderful smile was on her face.

"I'm going to visit him!" She brushed Muriel's hand away and put her tea down. "I hope I didn't worry you. I was feeling a spoonful of wretchedness, but I'm quite energized now." She stood up and smoothed out the parts of her skirts she could reach. "I'm going to have a chat with him. You're excused for the rest of the day."

Muriel's pale eyebrows shot up her face, but she was relieved to see that the princess was well. "Would you like for me to accompany you?"

"No, no, Muriel. You have no reason to go to his chambers. Simply enjoy yourself."

The princess just ... walked off and started humming to herself.

Muriel didn't know why her mood had changed so quickly, but she was glad to know that nothing seemed to be wrong with her.