"Are you sure you don't wish for breakfast, Your Majesty?"
Regina's voice followed me from behind as I moved through the corridor, her soft footsteps keeping pace with mine.
"I stopped taking breakfast years ago, Regina," I said without slowing.
"I… Is that so?" she asked, genuine surprise coloring her tone.
She wouldn't have known. Only Alice had been with me long enough to learn my habits, to understand the small disciplines I'd built into my days.
"Back then I already carried quite a substantial frame," I explained, glancing ahead. "I had no wish to make myself larger, so I refused to eat anything in the mornings, nothing until lunchtime, save perhaps some fruit."
"Shall I fetch some fruits for Your Majesty?" Regina offered immediately, her voice brightening with eagerness to be useful.
I smiled and slowed, glancing back at her. Then I reached out and drew her gently toward the wall, pressing her back against the stone.
