Where could she had been? Perhaps she had gone to the forest to gather herbs. Perhaps she had gone to the oratory of the island to pray for all their souls.
Still, she could not understand why she was not allowed to read certain books and a part of her was confident she would never know.
Studying Richard The III helped her pass the time in entertainment and quite, until Kora came and invited her to lunch.
She entered the dining room silently, with her smooth dress and upright body, straight as an old man's ratan. That was how she had been taught, and so she had taught herself to listen and obey, mostly anyway.
Grasen had prepared a simple soup, which didn't cease to be delicious or filling in its plainness. Not a single time did she remember tasting something made by Grasen and not leaving an empty plate on the table.
Mrs. Brita was sitting across from her on the table, without even glancing at her. Ina couldn't actually feel like minding her ignorance.
As soon as they were finished, Grasen and Kora picked up the plates and remains of the meal, while Vener withdrew to his workshop, in order to peel some fish he had caught in the morning. Mrs. Brita murmured something about the garden and left almost noiselessly.
Ina returned to her chamber and collapsed on her bed, rapidly submersing into a dreamless slumber. The sun was still early in the afternoon when Kora woke her up with a light poke. She was not known for heavy sleeping, so her eyes opened in an instant.
"Wake up, little one. Get up quickly and titivate yourself a bit. There are some men here, wanting to see you."
Upon hearing her words, Ina jettisoned up on her feet and ran to her wardrobe. In just two minutes, she was ready to go. She chose one of her best dresses; emerald green, with a splendid pattern of leaves, inwrought with silver threads. Lastly, she bound a silver sash around her waist.
She looked herself on the mirror, noticing that Kora was watching her pridefully as she combed her hair. It was incredibly obvious, how much their girl had grown in the last months, in every single movement of hers. She had matured, gained height, and the signs of her ancient generation were more than apparent. If only she knew who were waiting for her...
"Prithe, Kora, tell me. No one has ever visited us, none that I can recall at least. Why are those men here, to interrupt our seclusion of many years?"
She heard her asking ceaselessly from behind, as they descended the stairs to the living hall.
"My dearest Ina -though we would have to stop calling you that name- you shall learn everything on the right time," Kora replied in a placatory tone.
Upon listening to her cryptic answer, Ina paused walking for a bit.
"What do you mean you have to stop calling me that? How should you actually call me?"
Kora remained collected, yet anger boiled inside her and effervesced, a rage for her very own self. The girl did not deserve such behaviour. Somehow, they had persuaded themselves to hope that that day would never come. Nevertheless, it eventually had, and Ina was utterly unprepared.
"In time, you shall know everything. Just hear that from me. If they call you Phoebe, be sure that they will be addressing you and only you," she drily responded.
"But why call me Phoebe?"
They reached their destination in no time and Kora was grateful, for she didn't need to answer her question anymore. There, their little suffragette noticed Mrs. Brita standing up, looking quite nervous, her hand fidgeting with her sleeve. Just a little further, Veren sat on his armchair with a look of restlessness with Grasen right next to him, while on two chairs opposite them sat two entire strangers to her, who looked like siblings or at least with relatives of noble and prosperous blood.
As soon as Ina's presence was known, everyone stood on their feet.
Mrs. Brita was the first to talk, in order to relieve the odd tension of awkwardness.
"My dear girl, let me introduce you to two noblemen who came all the way from the Capital of the Twelve Kingdoms to meet you."
She was so calm, as if it was her daily rut.
The two strangers offered Ina a deep curtsy, evidently startling her.
"This is Sir Andrew Born, the heir to the County of Northambelant," Mrs. Brita continued, pointing at the taller of the two, who possessed a pair of vast green eyes, like rough emeralds.
The young man neared Ina and, after another gentle curtsy, took her hand reverentially and brought it to his lips. She had read that this was the kindest manner there was, along with a show of respect. Yet, why had he been so formal with her? Had he greeted Mrs. Brita and Grasen like that as well?
"My Lady," he whispered and retreated with a weak smile to slowly return to his place, next to the second stranger.
"And this is Sit Hector Dormer, the Duke of Dorm," Mrs. Brita filled her in, while himself came closer and repeated the motions of the former one.
"Your Highness, it is an honour to finally meet you," Sir Andrew said, when Sir Hector sat next to him again.
Ina was dumbfounded, completely ignorant of how to react. This was all unexpected, beyond her powers. However, she did that one thing she did better than anyone. She asked a question.
Your Highness...
"Could someone explain to me what is going on here?"
"We are sorry, ma'am, but our restricted time forbids us to remain any longer. Tomorrow morning we shall, though. Tomorrow, we must be back to Raysun," Sir Hector replied perfunctorily, and they both bid everyone adieu in no time, bowed to Ina and left, with the promise that they would return in three days time.
As soon as the door closed behind them, Ina's knees crumbled and collapsed.
"What in the name of Ércas was that? Who were they? What did they want here? Why did they call me Highness?"
"First of all, do not swear in the name of the God of Death, for it is not proper for a young lady," Mrs. Brita answered tranquilly. "Secondly, stand up, on your feet. Last but not least, there are some gravely important things you must be aware of, Phoebe."