Boris sat quietly in the lounge of one of the long palace hallways. The tall windows let in a bright afternoon light. He leaned back against the chair, his arms folded across his chest, but his face showed anger and disappointment. His brows were furrowed, and his lips kept moving as he muttered to himself.
"How could he do that to her," he said under his breath. "He's unbelievable. I don't understand him at all."
He rubbed his forehead as if the thought of it gave him pain.
Katherine came walking through the hallway at that moment. She had just finished inspecting the preparations for lunch. The servants had been setting tables and arranging flowers, and she was on her way to her own chambers when she caught sight of Boris. His face looked troubled, his whole body tense.
She stopped, tilting her head slightly. "Are you okay?" she asked softly.
Boris looked up at her and forced a small smile. "I am," he replied. "It's just… I'm thinking."
