The maid returned for Zella promptly at 2:15 pm just as she'd said. Zella was ready. although she was extremely nervous, she was also very excited. And these two warring conditions were upsetting her stomach and making her a little dizzy. But if serving the Holy Light taught her anything, it was that suffering was necessary for growth. And she could ignore the protests and needs of her body in order to follow where the Holy Light led her.
And at this moment, she fully believed the Holy Light was telling her to meet with the Lady Empress.
_ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _
Rowena sat at the small table in her sitting room where she and Daimon often had breakfast. She was patiently awaiting the arrival of Zella. She hoped to glean some information on her.
She had noticed the tell-tale scars of whips upon Zella's thin arms, legs, and across her back. The thin cotton shift she'd worn did not hide them as it hung loosely on her gaunt frame. She guessed that they may be self-inflicted.
