After knocking and informing the Queen that the guest had arrived, the butler opened the door for her and closed it after the older lady entered the chamber. He was smart enough to know that the Queen and the Great Lady needed private time, thus no one should be allowed to enter the bedchamber unless their master called for them.
Seeing the middle-aged woman enter, Esther rose from her seat to curtsy before her mother-in-law. "I apologize for having you come up, Mother."
A simple unadorned dress, a casually put up long hair, a face bare from any cosmetics and a lethargic gaze that couldn't be covered up with a smile. Seeing the state of Esther, the Great Lady could not help but let out a sigh. Though she at least made an effort to appear presentable, Esther seemed to have spent the past few days treating herself as poorly as her husband treated himself.
"How are you, Esther?" the older woman asked as she walked towards her.
