Morning arrived with a strange sense of speed.
I had barely finished dressing when Lila announced a visitor.
"Your Highness," she said, expression carefully neutral, "Lady Maribel has arrived."
I paused mid-motion.
"...Maribel?"
Before Lila could elaborate, the door opened—and there she was.
Maribel stood in the doorway like she owned the place, hands clasped behind her back, chin lifted, eyes bright with unmistakable satisfaction.
"What are you doing here?" I asked flatly.
She grinned. "I've come to be your lady-in-waiting, of course."
I stared at her.
Nero whispered helpfully.
[Host, she looks far too pleased with herself.]
"...Of course," I repeated. "And what does your mother think about this?"
Not that I cared.
Truly.
Maribel's grin widened into a smirk. "She screamed."
I blinked.
"Oh?"
"Yes. Quite dramatically, actually." Maribel waved a hand dismissively. "But Father said I could go. He also warned Mother to stop abusing her authority as the King's sister."
