Chapter 50: The Queen's Hand
Lyria's POV
For a moment after the Queen's question fell into the silence of the chamber, no one moved.
Somewhere within the brazier, a thin stick of incense cracked softly as it burned.
I bowed once more.
The motion was slow and careful, the sort drilled into my bones after years within these walls.
"Your Majesty," I said gently, "it has always been my understanding that such matters are given by Your Majesty's instruction."
"Ordinarily," I continued with careful politeness, "it is Your Majesty who determines when I am to attend upon Her Highness."
I paused only briefly before finishing the thought.
"As I did not receive any such instruction, I did not presume to impose myself upon the Princess's presence."
The room grew very still.
For a moment there was nothing but then, the Queen laughed. It was not a pleasant sound to hear.
The chuckle that escaped her lips was low and dark, the sort of sound that held no humor whatsoever.
