After lunch, The Princess Royal declared she would take a nap. Lina Riley intended to withdraw to the side chamber, but The Princess Royal refused and insisted she stay, so Lina had no choice but to agree.
There was no trace of incense in the air. Lina suspected The Princess Royal must not be sleeping well lately, hence her request for Lina's company.
The Princess Royal's bed lay deeper inside, a veil of layered gauze cloaking her form. Lina sat outside, hearing only the soft rustling of the princess settling in. After about the time it took for one stick of incense to burn, the princess seemed to drift into slumber.
Lina remained for a while, her gaze irresistibly drawn to that jade flute. Unable to resist, she went over to the table where the flute rested, picking it up for a closer look—searching for any detail that might differ from her dream. But whether the color, the carving, or even the small crack near the mouthpiece, it all matched perfectly.
