Philia stood before the heavy doors of King Alderon's private study, adjusting the hem of his coat with a quiet, practiced breath. He raised his hand and knocked three soft times against the wood.
"Enter," a low, raspy voice called out from within.
Philia opened the door and stepped quietly into the royal study. The room was warm and still, with only the faint rustle of turning pages breaking the silence. She paused for a moment after entering, allowing the door to fall shut behind her before making her way farther inside.
King Alderon was seated at the desk in the middle of the room. Several papers lay spread before him, some bearing the marks of recent notes and corrections. He had been reading when she entered, but at the sound of the door, he lowered the page in his hand and raised his eyes.
"Ah, Philia," Alderon said, setting his quill down against a bronze holder. "Come in, child. Sit."
