***
The king's behaviour over the past few days had become strange.
Gwen sat by the lake, gently trailing her fingers over its calm surface. She had not seen Reginald since he left them just before breakfast, but Paula stood a few paces away, silently watching her. Despite the fact that her attendants had been dismissed from her every presence, the maid had stubbornly refused to leave, staying by her side since the day before. Thinking now, Gwen realized that Paula had been by her side since the day Alexander had not.
She exhaled softly, her breath creating a delicate ripple that danced across the surface of the water. It felt like a long time since she had not seen Alexander, their paths having not crossed since she had left him alone in the piano room two nights ago. Then, quite unexpectedly, Paula had returned to her side. Was she under a command? His command?
