Mourning etiquette

As soon as I return to Alexander's chambers, I collapse on a sofa and call for Kate.

I've been far from my daughter for a couple of hours. Has she missed me? Did she cry too much?

When Kate walks in, the little ball is sleeping. She's not even hungry, judging from her peaceful expression. I fed her before going out, so she should be fine for an hour or so.

«How has she been?» I inquire.

Lavinia is pretty annoying when she cries. Her voice is high-pitched and hits in the head. I can't stand to listen to her cry for too long...

«She fell asleep a few minutes ago,» Kate says.

Only?

«What has she done for the two hours I was away?» She didn't torture my handmaid, did she?

«She stared at me with her eyes wide,» Kate confesses. «She barely blinked.»

Oh.

«No cries or tantrums?»

«It's the calmest kid ever, Theodora,» Kate replies with a chuckle. «From what I've heard, your husband was also like this as a baby.»