Northern entered the Queen's chambers. The space was vast yet somehow cozy, with ornamental accentuations that leaned toward nature—making the room feel more like a treehouse than royal quarters. Green curtains cascaded against brown furniture in a reasonable blend, and the ceiling had been crafted to look like falling flower petals frozen mid-descent, each crystalline bloom catching the soft light.
She lay on a large bed, tucked beneath silken covers with her husband beside her.
Roma led both of them inside and stopped at the bedside. Between them and the bed sat a small table with two chairs—the kind of arrangement where one might sit and chat over tea, if circumstances were different.
The Queen looked at Eisha and smiled. A cough interrupted her before she could speak, the sound wet and labored, but she pushed through it anyway.
"It's… an honor… to meet you." Another cough punctuated the end of her statement.
Eisha lowered her head with deep reverence.
