@ Sweet.Persephone
The princess’s reaction—or lack thereof—confirmed that she didn’t know as much as she should.
Interesting. Or maybe perplexing was the better word. Maudiere would’ve thought the heir to the throne would be privy to the relationship between their families, but it didn’t seem as if that were the case. Not that she could imagine why. Maudiere could understand not saying anything to a child who might not know any better when it came to what they said to who, but Lorelei was a grown woman now, who was presumably being trained to one day take the throne.
Not telling her didn’t make much sense.
Just as the princess was about to say something though, Lord Hans pushed forward, all but asking for a fight. Maudiere narrowed her eyes on the red-faced lordling, her irises turning black as she stood a little straighter. Duke Killenger cut her off before she could say a word however, surprising her as he hauled the other man away from her, admonishing him in the same breath. One glance at the princess had her holding her tongue against the urge to put fear into the heart of the lordling though, and she released the power she’d unconsciously gathered to her, her eyes bleeding back to their usual hazel as she did so. She was here to observe, and there would be no observations to be had if she got kicked out for misbehaving.
When Maudiere’s gaze returned to the princess, that spark of recognition she’d been waiting for earlier had at last shown itself. She almost regretted it, knowing their ordinary talk of dresses would likely be over, her suspicion confirmed as the princess also admonished Hans, apologized to her, and then said she would be excusing herself.
“There’s no need to worry, Your Highness. There was never any threat of a brawl,” Maudiere said. She might have given the man a tongue-lashing, or, at worst, taken care of him before there could be a true fight. “Before we part company, allow me to offer you a small birthday gift.” She reached up and unclasped her
necklace from around her neck, then stepped close to secure it around Lorelei’s bare neck. “If you ever find that you’d like to resume our conversation, just put this necklace in your windowsill. I can’t promise that I’ll appear immediately, but I’ll come within three days,” she whispered in the princess’s ear, drawing back once the necklace was clasped.