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She didn’t argue, instead she sat in front of Valda as she picked up a piece of sausage and waved it around. Cerberus raised her head, sniffing before running to Valda’s side. She took the sausage and scampered to the living space.

“How long have you been awake?”

“Not long. Maybe an hour?” Valda said before her hand traveled to her pocket. “I got you something.”

Maris was about to take a mouthful of oatmeal when her curiosity stopped the spoon mid-air. “Oh?”

The queen took out a small box and carefully placed it on the table. “Here.”

Maris moved the oatmeal bowl aside as her eyes fell on the present. “What is this?”

Valda smiled. “Open it.”

Maris arched her eyebrow as she took the box. Inside it, there were countless silver strings. They shined as the rays of the early sunlight reflected upon them. She gasped quietly. Her eyes flew to a grinning Valda and back to the strings.

“Are these—”

“You said you needed strings. I went ahead and sent a messenger to get me some. I know there are many kinds, varieties, and types of materials, I hope this suits your instrument.” When Maris didn’t respond, she knitted her brows together. “Maris?”

Maris opened her mouth, but the words were caught in her throat. Valda’s smile, though small, was there, and she seemed so proud of what she had done and so … happy. Maris didn’t know what to say other than to thank the queen for her small gesture. With this, she would be able to play her violin, which she had neglected for so many years.

Releasing a shaky breath, Maris closed the box and said, “Thank you so much.”

Valda tensed. “Are you crying?”

“It’s been five years since I’ve played the violin…”

Valda nodded. “Are you afraid you might have forgotten how to play?”

“I hope not. If I did I—” Maris wiped away her tears and shook her head. “Gods, if I forgot what my mother taught me,” she let out a nervous chuckle before touching the box again. “She will probably find me in her next life and slap me.”

“I am sure you can still remember,” Valda said in a calming tone. “Go ahead,” Valda leaned forward. “Play for me…” A bright smile was painted on her rosy lips. “Please.”

A fluttering sensation consumed her stomach. To play for Valda? She got you the strings for something, Maris. Just go for it. “Right! Let me just get the violin and get ready.” Maris let out a breathy laugh before she ran to the closet and pulled out the worn-down violin case.

Valda turned to face her, following the sound of her footsteps.

As Maris kneeled, a very curious Cerberus walked towards her, sniffing at the case then swatting the violin as Maris pulled it out. Maris chuckled and swatted her hand back at the large cat, play-fighting with her. Except, Cerberus fell to her side and stretched out, taking up way too much space for a cat.

Maris couldn’t help but stop what she was doing to rub Cerberus’s fluffy stomach.

“I think your cat has become my cat.”

Valda chuckled. “I will have to draw the line there, Seashell. No one takes Cerberus away from me.”

Maris snickered, her fingers running through the fur before patting her. “Go on with your momma. I don’t want her to get mad at me.”

Cerberus shook her head and let out a soft trill, but stood when Valda called out for her. She silently made her way to Valda, jumped on her lap, earning a soft groan from the queen. Maris always found it funny when such a beast of a cat decided it was a lap cat. Cerberus was larger than any cat she had seen in her entire life. If she stood on her hind legs, she was sure she could reach Maris’s stomach.

Without Cerberus distracting her, Maris put the new strings on her violin, tuning it as she went along until it was perfect.

“All right. Are you ready?” Maris asked, placing the violin on her shoulder and resting her jaw on it while her other hand held the bow.

“I am all ears,” Valda answered, resting her elbow on the table and her chin on her knuckles while she scratched Cerberus’s head.

Taking a deep breath, Maris closed her eyes and began to slide the bow against the pristine new violin strings. A soft melodic tune filled the silence of the large chamber, resonating against its stone walls. Standing still, Maris created a theme of the bits and pieces of the melodies taught by her mother years ago.

With a subtle clumsiness at first, Maris began to weave a song as she went along. The opening notes were bright and cheery, painting a picture of a sunny meadow with flowers swaying in the breeze. Maris’s fingers danced with skill and emotion, bringing the melody to life. All the while Valda closed her eyes, leaning against the chair as Cerberus stared intently.