Rosamund
I took it, holding it a bit longer than necessary. The coldness was no longer there.
We were greeted by a steward who bowed deeply and welcomed us warmly. He led us inside, through the corridors of polished marble and gilded frames and tapestries so vast they consumed the entire walls, up a wide staircase, and along a gallery lined with portraits of kings.
He stopped before a set of double doors. "Your quarters, Your Graces. The King and Queen will receive you at dinner this evening at ten. For the duration of your stay, your personal attendants will not be permitted beyond the guest wing. In their place, we have arranged a groom of the chambers for each of you." He gestured inside. "You will find a set of bell pulls beside the bed. The blue summons His Grace's groom, the pink summons Her Grace's, and the black is for myself. Should you have any questions or require anything at all, I am at your disposal."
