It was a strange exchange, but Artie didn't dwell on it anymore. For now, she just walked to the wagon and had a female knight help her in gathering her new set of clothes and in changing inside the carriage. Since she was already inside, the female knight hoped that the archduchess would there as well. The outside conditions were not for an archduchess to endure.
…
Larkin walked into the dining hall and found Rumina still eating. It was already two in the afternoon, and she was supposed to be returning a bit later today. The servants acted quickly and started setting up his part of the table. When Rumina noticed them, she turned to find Larkin approaching.
The archduke was the first to greet her: "I apologize for not greeting you on your return. I was told you insisted to sight-see till sundown."
