The moment Straw entered the room, she saw Berryanna lying on her side of the bed, eyes closed.
For a moment Straw stood near the door and watched her. The room was quiet. Berryanna's breathing was slow and steady, the kind of breathing that made someone look deeply asleep. Her hair rested across the pillow, one arm tucked beneath her cheek.
Straw tilted her head slightly. It looked convincing.
Still, something about Berryanna pretending to sleep did not feel unusual. The princess had a habit of doing things without saying what she wanted.
She thought since Berryanna was asleep, there was no need for their nightly routine. But it was a good thing that she was in the room.
She washed quickly, splashing water on her face and rubbing the back of her neck. The day had been long and the dinner had dragged longer than she expected.
Her mind briefly went back to the garden.
Berryanna standing up. Berryanna saying she was going to bed.
