Queen Maeve sat down while handmaiden gently braided her long, red, silken hair, each strand woven with meticulous care. The queen's thoughts were far from idle as she gazed into the ornate mirror before her, eyes sharp with contemplation.
Suddenly, the door creaked open, and a guard stepped inside, his presence immediately catching the Queen's attention. A slow smile curled on her lips as her eyes brightened at the sight of him.
With a wave of her hand, she dismissed the handmaiden, who knew better than to linger when the Queen sought privacy. The girl hurriedly gathered her things and slipped out of the room, closing the door softly behind her.
Once they were alone, Queen Maeve turned her full attention to the guard. "What news do you have for me this time?" she asked, her voice laced with curiosity.
The guard hesitated for a moment before speaking, his tone low and cautious. "Your Majesty, Prince Aldric has been moved from his cell."
