Amara was still reeling from everything she had heard when Candy leaned forward, her bracelets clinking softly as she reached for the tea pot again.
Her smile was deceptively calm, though her sharp eyes were studying the girl's every twitch and hesitation.
"You may leave now, Amara," Candy said with a graceful flick of her hand. "You are free to think. I expect you to return with your answer tomorrow, when our guest rises."
Amara blinked, startled by the sudden dismissal. "O…. of course, mistress." She stood quickly, bowing her head to Cherry and Coral in turn.
But her eyes, wide with awe and dread, lingered for a second too long on Coral's disguised brown hair.
Then she turned and all but fled the balcony, the folds of her simple servant's dress brushing across the marble floor.
Cherry watched her go with a faint smirk curling her lips. "She runs like a rabbit," she remarked lightly. "But not away from the snare. I know their type. She will come back."
