"Because he can. Beauty has nothing to do with it." Celia said tiredly. "Tobin knows he can do it and get away with it every time. Who's ever said no to him? He's never had any limits imposed on him, so how could he have ever learnt self-control?"
"But surely Their Majesties-"
"No. They can't and won't ever stop him." Celia interrupted bluntly. "So my advice to you is that from now on, you women clean these apartments in pairs."
"We will. Thank you, my lady. For understanding and for not punishing me."
"There's nothing to punish." Celia said firmly. "We women are part of a system designed to stop us from succeeding. From slave to queen. We should help each other where we can."
"But surely you hope things will be different once you're on the throne yourself, though?"
Did she, though? "We shall see, won't we?" Celia murmured.
"Is there anything I can do to help you, to repay your kindness?" Herleve asked.
