“Is the princess excited about the upcoming trip out of the palace?”

  The topic shifted a bit too quick, but Kamaria’s thoughts managed to come back their conversation.

  “Surprisingly, I’m looking forward to it. Khayri’s non-stop mouth can be good for something other than causing trouble sometimes.”

  The older woman laughed. It was a warm laugh expressing all her amusement that even Kamaria smiled faintly behind her cup. She had learned very early that her expressing the smallest amount of joy in front of anyone in the palace would only bring her a host of problems and had long developed such small habits. Lady Nadira gestured to her steward who nodded before silently making her way out of the room.

  “I’m glad you’re excited but wanting to leave the palace shouldn’t prompt you into simply settling when it comes to your marriage Lalla. We’re all young once and can be swept away in the moment but there are still many years ahead of you. So at least give this old lady a chance to help with the matchmaking,” suddenly insisted older woman.

  “My Lady, for someone like me, possibly having a future with the ?aska family is already good enough. Urien’s always been nice to me,” softly said Kamaria.

  It was as if she had something on her mind, but her attention was suddenly caught by the steward coming back into the room.

  She had with her a small box that she gave to the Lady directly. Lady Nadira took a few moments as she opened the box and smiled at the contents that neither Kamaria nor her two attendants could see. This had them more curious than they initially were.

  “Anyway, we’ll have more than enough time to talk about these things in future. Little Princess, come sit close to this old lady.”

  She patted the spot next to her and Kamaria cautiously stood up and walked over.

  “Let’s see this hand that was daringly injured by a common maid.”

  “It’s nothing really, I made sure to take care of it,” said Kamaria as she put out her left arm and moved her sleeve out of the way.

  The older woman gently patted her hand and then turned back to the box only to bring back a silver bangle bracelet. It was effortlessly slipped onto the surprised Kamaria’s unadorned wrist.

  The piece had a single amethyst the size of her fingernail between a clean-cut flowery filigree design that eventually evened out into a plain band. The bracelet had a simple beauty about it that Kamaria immediately adored.

  “It’s more suitable than I thought. Take this as a small debut gift from this old lady.”

  A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  “My Lady, isn’t this too much?”

  “What too much? For a princess in a prospering empire this should just be a little trinket. Besides, I’m sure the Empress Consort would much prefer that I give any gifts I think of sending to you instead.”

  “Consort Mother?”

  “Oh, she simply gives into the whims of this old lady by occasionally sending some interesting flowers from her garden.”

  Kamaria bowed her head slightly before her attention turned back to the bangle. She had never thought that her mother would be communicating much with the grand lady since she usually avoided any attention on herself.

  The indoor garden had many uncommon plants for the region as some were also for medicinal purposes, but she understood that Lady Nadira did not have an interest in just the plants. If so, then with a word she would have had any plant she wanted from any kingdom.

  “If my Lady would not find it a bother, this Princess could bring the flowers as requested.”

  “I also find that straining my eyes to read these days has become a little uncomfortable.”

  “As long as I have a voice and reading abilities, my Lady doesn’t have to worry.”

  “Good child,” said Lady Nadira with a large smile.

  “Now finish your tea and recuperate before the banquet. Let’s be healthy and lively to avoid worrying your brother on the trip.”

  Kamaria lightly smiled and nodded understanding what the older woman meant. It wasn’t much to Kamaria; she didn’t lose any flesh or break any bones so what were some bruises and scratches in exchange for freedom.

  When the girls left, the Lady moved to her bedroom as she wanted to take a rest. Her schedule was not busy, but the meeting with youngest princess had concerned her to the point of developing a slight headache.

  “Is my Lady sure of giving away a bracelet prepared by her own parents?”

  “I’m an old madam with grown children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. I’m sure I don’t need such a bracelet anymore. It looks nice on her besides young people need all sorts of luck and protection,” she insisted.

  What worried her more than anything was the girl’s reactions or maybe the lack thereof. Kamaria had not even reached twenty and had the air of someone much older which wasn’t always a good thing.

  Even with the cryptic way that Lady Nadira had spoken, the girl always managed to catch onto the main point of the conversation even with her unassuming appearance.

  This modest appearance even reflected in the way Kamaria physically presented herself in the palace. Without considering the worth of the cloth used for her outfit, the design of the clothing and accessories was very plain and simple unlike noble girls her age.

  Her smile if anyone could call it that was just the right amount of polite and her speech was neither arrogant nor too humble but almost too pleasing to the point of being unable to tell if she was sincere or not. Yes, all noble children had training in their social skills but it was beyond that.

  All in all, she was a good child, a very good child. The type of good that an orphan thought they had to be for a family in order not be abandoned.

  The type of person who could be as perfect or imperfect as the situation called for despite the risks, giving this gentle appearance of hers a little recklessness to those who realised it.

  Though she was wrapped up in her protective gentle fa?ade, but there also a certain playful spark to the girl. There was no way to contain that little bit of chaos that came from running around with Prince Yerlan’s family.

  Wouldn’t such an interesting little gem be covered in dust in the house of a Count?