Annika would be taken to her rooms and tended to. "And Princess Marna," Conrad added. "Make sure her nanny remains by her side and Bjorn stands guard all night."
One of the guards paused by the princess. "Um, your majesty…" His lips quivered.
"What is it? Spit it out."
"Princess Marna's nanny was caught in the fighting. She is dead, Your Majesty."
Marna sniffled, then, with widened eyes, covered her mouth and stared at Conrad in fear- in fear that he might slaughter her for making such a noise. She'd never feared her brother before this day. But now her nanna was slain, and it wasn't even intentional.
Conrad could see his sister's fear and wanted to distinguish it. They'd never had such a bad relationship before. Marna was pure and innocent, and life in this war-driven, bloody palace was not suited to someone like her. He would ease his sister's anxiety another day. She was not his priority right now.
