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“Will— will she be all right?” Maris whispered, not wanting to wake Valda and fighting the need to stay. Her hands trembled; her breath agitated. She clutched her hands in front of her, wanting to hide the shakiness from Kayden. “She is too upset and, I know what happens when someone is really upset,” she muttered, a flash of her mother’s tear-soaked face made its way into her mind. Maris knew what people were capable of when they felt lost.

“She will be all right; everyone will.”Kayden sighed and rubbed his temples, not before he waved his hand towards Maris. Her nervousness and anxiety dissipated instantly.

Controlling herself, Maris took a deep breath and nodded. “I will take my leave. Please, do not hesitate to call for me if you need my assistance,” Maris said before looking at Valda’s sleeping form one last time.

Valda looked calm and Kayden was right when he said that Maris needed to rest to tend to Valda in the upcoming dark days.It wasn’t going to be easy.

With a final sigh, Maris exited the royal chamber silently. The atmosphere within the halls of Oberon Castle was quiet, wounded, and gloomy. The soldiers standing guard carried a depressed look about them. Morale was at an all-time low. Their queen was gone, to be replaced by a young, blind woman. Would she be able to lead and protect them?

It took her a while to reach the servant’s chambers. She pushed the door open and was relieved to see that Melvian was awake, reading a book while an oil lamp burned dimly next to her. Maris smiled when she saw her best friend’s surprised look. Melvian quickly dropped the book on her nightstand and stood to greet her.

“It’s so good to see you,” Melvian said, pulling away from the embrace. “Are you staying the night here? I know you have been staying at the princess’s chamber. Sleeping on that sofa must be super uncomfortable.”

“It is. I am taking a night off.”

“Is she alone?”

“No. Sir Kayden is with her. He will be there for a while. He was the one that dismissed me.”

Melvian nodded. “That was wise. You have been at this for so long.” She sighed and pulled Maris to sit on the bed. “Do you want me to run you a bath?”

“Melvian, you must be tired…” Maris said, embarrassed. A part of her would enjoy it if someone else ran her a bath for a change.

“It’s not a problem, really.” Melvian smiled. “You are my best friend. We have to stick together and help each other, and I plan to do just that.” She headed to the bathroom, warming some water for Maris. Tiredly Maris followed Melvian.

“It is a shame what is going on,” Melvian said as she placed a cauldron over the small stove.

Maris nodded and looked to the ground, thinking. “I feel so bad for Princess Valda, Melvian. Losing her sight and her mother.” She shook her head. “She is devastated. I am surprised she hasn’t thrown a tantrum like when she found out she was blind.”

Melvian turned to Maris and nodded. “She tends to destroy things.”

“I can’t blame her, though…”

“How are you, though? Has she… you know?”

Maris scoffed and shook her head. “She has been nothing but respectful. Yes, she flirts, but nothing out of the ordinary.”

Melvian arched a brow.

“I flirt back,” Maris said, shrugging. “I enjoy it.”

“Maris,” Melvian clicked her tongue.

“She needs a distraction, Melvian. If I can provide her with it, why shouldn’t I?”

“All I have to say is, be careful.”

“I am. She is nothing like the old warrior princess that killed anyone that tries to overstep their boundaries.”

“Which worries me. Do you think we are doomed?”

“Doomed? I don’t think so. Vulnerable? Of course. I believe the Princess knows this, and wants to go back to training as fast as she can, bu—”

“A blind ruler? On a kingdom with a lot of civil unrest?” Melvian shook her head before grabbing the hot cauldron and pouring its content into the small tub. “I don’t know. You must remember that she is the army commander. All our wars have been won thanks to her. If she is blind…” Melvian sighed. “It sounds like a recipe for disaster. I’ve heard rumors that the group of rogues responsible for King Bronte’s death are still at large. Can you believe that?”

“I thought he died when the Sea Kingdom fell due to the hurricane.”

Melvian shrugged. “That’s what I’ve heard. People are not happy with how high the taxes are. Many are going hungry, especially on the southern side of the kingdom. There are people that were never happy with Bronte’s ruling. When he died, they wanted nothing to do with either Rionach or Valda. People are scared that Valda won’t be strong enough to keep a coup from happening.”