Once Lina Riley officially took up her new post, she was no longer a royal guard. She couldn't simply enter the palace whenever she wished, and at first The Princess Royal thought she wouldn't mind. Over time, however, she felt increasingly unsettled. Like today, for instance: after reviewing just a few official reports, she grew restless and set them aside. Even playing with Ivy Dawson lost its appeal before long.
Back in her chambers, Beatrice Byrd took her pulse, but The Princess Royal's distracted state made it obvious what was going on. Beatrice found the situation rather amusing—imagine this aloof woman afflicted with lovesickness! Pulling her hand away, Beatrice smiled. "Your Highness, you really must keep your spirits up."
The Princess Royal refused to admit it and perhaps didn't even realize she was missing Lina. With her usual frosty manner, she declared, "My mood is perfectly fine."
