"You must know, I am also very sorry for this ... circumstance. But since you've been here, I've been
hoping ...", Baridi stopped, "hoping that it will change something." At that moment, Lyana saw only an exhausted man who was not even middle-aged and who looked after his Master with care. Even if she didn't know what exactly he meant with that, she knew that the valet wouldn't go into it any further. At least not yet.
She became more and more aware that she had to have him on her side. He probably not only had
the greatest knowledge, but also a certain influence on the king. After all, he took his suggestion to
give Lyana tasks seriously and implemented it straight away.
"I think the introduction is enough for this morning. You should go back to your room and rest a little before lunch. In the afternoon we will start with the kitchen staff", suggested Baridi and the princess agreed immediately. Once again she had got a lot to think about.
The valet accompanied her to her room and then said goodbye, but Lyana held him back. "Before I forget. Thank you for taking me back to my room yesterday. I'm very sorry for the trouble I caused."
Baridi looked at her in surprise. "That's too kind of you, but I wasn't the one who brought you back to your room. That was King Ulric." With that he said goodbye again and left. While Lyana was left with big eyes and a flushed face.
Fortunately, in her room she would still have time to digest what she heard. But her maid was already waiting there, pacing nervously up and down. When Alisen noticed her, she suddenly seemed to be much more relaxed. "Your Royal Highness! You are here again. I thought ...", she quickly interrupted herself, but Lyana could already guess what had been going on in the head of her maid. Except for Baridi, all the servants in the castle seemed to be afraid of their king, even if they clearly respected him. With his impressive aura, she could understand that. Lyana had been affected by it as well before.
"It's all right, Alisen. The king just wanted to speak to me to tell me that I should take care of the household."
Alisen nodded. "That's a good idea. Some of the servants have become really careless just because
we haven't had any visitors for years."
Lyana had to smile. Alisen would certainly get along wonderfully with her maid Hadia. She was just
as conscientious as her maid back home was. The thought of Hadia made her think of her father's
letter again. She could only hope that he would hold out. Somehow she would make it back, even if it takes time to find a way.
"Is something?" Alisen looked at her worriedly. Lyanas grief was clearly visible on her face.
But she just shook her head with a smile. "Everything is fine. However, I would like to take a bath. After all, I have to introduce myself to the kitchen staff today. I should make a good impression there." She should also change her dress. Actually she had only chosen the red one to provoke the king, even if it was the other way around at the end.
After the bath, Alisen braided her hair in a loose braid and Lyana was able to lie down a bit before
she was called for lunch.
As she lay in her soft bed it occurred to her that the king had said nothing about her nightly excursion. It must have gone unnoticed after all. Maybe she should go back out tonight and look around. After all, Baridi had now shown her where to find something in the castle. Once she took on her duties, she would know her way around even better. Actually, nothing better could have happened to her.
There was a knock on the door. Alisen was back and Lyanas rest period was over.
The maid undid the plait and Lyanas hair fell in golden waves over her shoulders. Alisen tucked back the front strands so that they wouldn't bother her. "Have you already decided on a dress?" She asked before continuing. Lyana thought about it. "I think I'll take the pink one. It's a bit more on the simple side." And above all, it was high-necked, so King Ulric shouldn't have a problem with it.
Alisen enthusiastically agreed and took out a box of small pink flowers that she tucked into the princess's hair.
Lyana looked at the small flowers with interest. "What is this jewelry made of?"
Her maid smiled proudly. "These are real flowers, Your Royal Highness. They were preserved and
hardened. There aren't many flowers in the Ice Kingdom because of the cold, and those who are
able to grow here, tend to be lighter in color, such as white or a light blue. This jewelry is therefore something very special and can only be bought at the big market in the next village."
"Was that the queen's jewelry?"