Athea was straightening the reports on her desk when the door opened and the aide showed the visitors in.
Ambassador Durell entered first, a tall woman in a navy coat, her chestnut hair pinned tight, who bowed with the practiced precision of someone who had done it ten thousand times. Behind her came the two Asterian princesses.
Crown Princess Thalia wore her blue hair in a severe knot. Her sister's crimson hair hung loose, and she walked with the easy stride of a woman who had never once entered a room she did not already feel she owned. Neither of them looked remotely tired for having arrived two days early.
"Your Highness," Durell said. "Crown Princess Thalia and Princess Claudia of Asteria. We are grateful to be received."
"Ambassador Durell. Your timing is nothing if not memorable," Athea said, rising. "We had prepared for your arrival two days from now."
