41. Breakfast in The Night
Mauve heard a knock but did not move from where she sat, she could not tell how long she had sat in front of the dresser. She stared at her unmoving reflection. Vae's words had reminded her of the things she had forgotten, that this was duty.
It didn't help that earlier she had gone against his order, it would have been enough grounds to send her back. There was also the fact that she could have been severely injured from the fall.
Mauve sighed and stood to her feet. She checked her reflection one more time, the candlelight gave her a golden hue. She practiced her smile, she had to find a way to uplift her mood. She could not appear in front of her husband in such a gloomy state, it would ruin the food for everyone.
Happy with the smile on her face, she held it and walked to the door. She turned the handle to find a servant standing just outside her door. "The first meal is ready," he announced.