🐺🐺🐺
RICHARD’S consort left, accompanied by the maids and some of the knights.
The queen mother watched the girl’s straight figure retreat, and the gentle smile she had worn through their exchange fell at once. But the queen mother’s eyes softened, and she let out a heavy sigh.
“Queen Mother, will you be returning to your quarters now?” asked a knight.
“Yes,” she replied, nodding slowly. “I had a nice chat with Hermine, and I’m satisfied.” She looked up toward the royal villa. “I have to make Richard happy… And if Hermine has the power to break the chains that have bound him since he was born, then…”