"You are miles away, Lorelai," Althea said in a deceptively kind voice. "I've missed you. This is the first time in a while we've been together like this, and yet... you are awfully quiet. Don't you have anything to say at all?"
"I'm sorry, Your Majesty," were the only words the princess could force out. Whenever she was in the queen's presence, she knew it was always safer to say less.
"Why are you apologizing?" Althea asked, her tone carrying a faint edge. "I suppose you have been busy these days. Working on the new slavery abolition law must be taking up a lot of your time."
She paused, her expression turning faintly disapproving. "Please remember, you don't need to overexert yourself. It's a noble idea, I admit, but it's hardly essential for Erelith. I don't think you should waste your time like this."
