Sabine tentatively stepped back into the bedchamber not long after Lucas had walked out. Celia barely noticed. She was sitting on the edge of the grand canopied bed, staring into space with eyes that stung.
"Um, Your Grace. Are you alright? I saw Lord Nadrim leave your company a few moments ago, so I thought I should check on you." the lady-in-waiting spoke awkwardly. "He didn't say something to upset you, did he, or-"
"No, nothing like that. He was his usual polite self. We were supposed to be meeting yesterday to plan our negotiation strategy but then he heard I was ill. So we were just making arrangements to meet up again. It's just that everything is making me cry at the moment, though of course I didn't tell him why." Celia smiled a little. "In fact, that's why he left in such a hurry. Aren't most men uncomfortable being around a lady on the verge of tears?"
