One Less Foe

Daphne continued to watch and wait, weighing her earlier interactions with the both of them. King Calarian had been friendly enough, and Cordelia did help her stand up against Drusilla. Then again, she couldn't trust that they would not stab her in the back. Cordelia did seem very intent on winning this contest. 

While Daphne thought to herself, King Calarian furrowed his eyebrows, eyeing the tree. Was he seeing things, or was there a flash of golden hair inside it? 

"Is someone there?" King Calarian called out. "Come out now!"

At his words, Cordelia immediately notched an arrow, taking aim at the tree hollow. 

"Don't worry, Uncle, I'll flush them out."

Daphne panicked and yelled out, "No, it's just me! Don't shoot!" 

"...Queen Daphne?" King Calarian asked bemusedly. "Is that you?"

"Yes!" Daphne stuck her head out through the gap and Cordelia outright gawked at her. "Thank you for saving me."