ELIA
"H-hello!" Elia said, shocked.
"Hello, Elia. I'm glad to see you made it." The woman bowed deeply as everyone nearby looked on, which made Elia want to grab her shoulders and pull her upright.
But Reth was staring between them. "You know each other?" he asked, surprised.
"Yes, last night," Elia explained. "When I woke up at the Rite, Candace tried to help me."
Reth turned to the woman and bowed over her hand as well. "Thank you, Candace. You have the gratitude of your King," he said softly, meaningfully.
Candace fluttered a hand at her chest and blushed. "Oh, it was very little, Majesty. I assure you."
"Still," Reth insisted, "it was a kindness that was much needed. You're an example to the Kingdom. Thank you. Since you have such a kind heart I could ask you another favor?"
"Of course!" Candace's thin face brightened.
