After breakfast, Roland managed to get Sigrid alone and he took her on a walk around the castle. Her arm was slipped in his and they moved slowly, as if they had all the time in the world.
It was a beautiful day, the sun was warm, the air was sweet and the world felt like it was at peace. A breeze carried the scent of flowers and wood smoke from somewhere in the castle, in the kitchens.
They paused their walk under one of the large trees that had a swing which was a little too above the ground. The children that swung from it had to climb a tree and risk their necks to sit on it. For that reason, it was forbidden to swing from it.
Sigrid had always wanted to try it. Roland, on seeing the hopeful look in her eyes, lifted her with two hands and helped her onto the swing. She caught the ropes on both sides but didn't dare to push herself.
