Meanwhile, back in the Red Kingdom, Brenada hadn't uttered a word for almost a week now. She stared straight ahead and spaced out most of the time and she hardly ate. Brenda was gradually becoming pale, losing the spark and bright red of her once sparkling eyes.
She would often stand in front of the full-size mirror cradle her stomach and even rock her hands back and forth as if she were rocking a child. After a while, she would stop and start weeping all over again. This happened up to five times in a day and the next day, the cycle would continue.
It was painful for Ellie to watch and more painful because there was nothing she could do. She had tried to speak with and comfort her mistress but to no avail. Every effort she had put in had proven futile. The whole atmosphere was laden with sadness and grief. Whenever Ellie felt like eating, she also felt guilty after every spoon she put into her mouth. All because Queen Brenada had declared an indefinite fast on herself.
