Princess Karen's Bedchamber
A maid quietly entered and woke the princess. "Your Highness, a message was sent back."
This maid had followed her from Gube to Nexile.
"How urgent is it?" Karen asked, frowning. She had been deeply asleep. Normally, she shared a room with her husband—pretending to be lovingly devoted—but ever since her pregnancy and his worsening health, he insisted she rest separately.
"It is a letter, Your Highness. I did not dare open it," the maid whispered.
Princess Karen sat up and took it. The maid trimmed the lamp so the princess could read.
Karen read the message and frowned deeply. She still did not fully understand the royal court of this kingdom. Her husband, constantly ill, had limited information. No matter how much he trusted her, he could not give her knowledge he did not possess.
