"You are dismissed for the evening, Regina," I said.
"Y—Your Majesty?" Regina paused midway through smoothing out the heavy linens of my bed, turning to look at me in confusion.
According to the rigorous schedules dictated for maids directly serving royalty, she was expected to remain on duty until well after I had taken my evening meal.
"The sun will be setting soon, Regina," I pointed out, casting a brief glance toward the towering windows. "You reside in a rather precarious district of the capital, do you not? You ought to return home before nightfall. You mentioned that you have a mother waiting for you, did you not?" I asked, raising a brow.
"Y—Yes..." Regina nodded hurriedly, quickly lowering her head in a bow of gratitude. "Thank you, Your Majesty. Should you require anything else before I depart—"
"I require nothing else tonight. And if I do, I am perfectly capable of standing up and fetching it myself," I assured her with a warm smile.
