I'd like to refuse Princess Lyland's kindness, but it doesn't look like a wise thing to do in my situation.
In the end, I have to accept one stranger more in my surroundings.
I return to my chambers and wash with warm towels. I clean the wounds on my hands with hot water, and then I wear a simple dress, one of those that the Duke prepared especially for me.
It's still early, I won't be able to get rid of the maids for some more, so there's no use in wearing a nightgown.
Still, I lie on the bed and close my eyes, trying to think about something joyful. I think about my early childhood when my brother was born. I only have a brief memory about that, since I was too little. I remember how my mother told me to take care of him because no one will be a better friend to me.
After a while, I can forget about what happened and relax on the bed. I turn to the side, and the sounds of a conversation come to me.
