After breakfast, Camellia led the three sisters from the hall herself.
The morning had grown brighter by then, though the royal castle still carried the uneasy atmosphere left by the previous night. Knights stood at every major crossing, servants moved through the corridors with lowered voices, and more than once Hermione noticed people pausing when they saw the princess walking beside three witches.
Camellia appeared not to notice.
Or perhaps she simply chose not to care.
"Your Highness," Hermione said as they crossed into a long gallery lined with old royal portraits, "you do not need to accompany us. We could have asked a servant to retrieve the gifts."
"I know," Camellia replied. "But I want to see them with you."
Esther, walking between Hermione and Airam, looked a little brighter than she had earlier. The promise of showing their presents to Camellia had distracted her from the constant worry for Ulrich, if only briefly.
