As soon as Loraline was finally free from the company of the second prince, she rushed back to her lady, her entire body trembling with both fear and a suffocating sense of failure. Opening the door to the princess's bedroom, she nearly fell to her knees, lamenting with tears swelling in her eyes.
"Your Highness! I am truly sorry! Please, forgive me!"
"Loraline? What is happening? Why are you crying?!"
Melania ran to Loraline and knelt before her, wrapping her arms around the woman's shaking shoulders. The lady-in-waiting tried to explain through a torrent of bitter tears.
"I could not do it, My Lady! He saw me! And he took the blood! I have failed you, I am so incredibly sorry!"
