Emily still sat on the ground inside Perdita's room, grieving the predicament she found herself in when she heard a knock on the door.
Wiping her tear-streaked face clean with the back of her dress, she stood up and went for the door. Outside the door stood, Maria, another maid who gave a slight bow to her fellow maid and Emily returned it with hers.
"Are you okay, Emily?" Maria inquired, noticing the distant look on Emily's face.
Emily smiled and gave a stiff nod to Maria's question. "I am fine, Maria. Is there any problem?"
"Ah, yes, I mean no, not exactly but Lady Rosamonda has called for you." Maria relayed the message, her eyes silently gauging Emily's behavior. Something told her that all was not well, but then she decided not to probe too much. Emily has been someone who liked to keep to herself all the time since she came to work in the castle. She barely spoke to anyone.
