Circe knocked before pushing open the door to her mother's chambers. She stepped inside and moved to the side to make room for the maid behind her, who entered carrying a loaded tray.
The maid crossed the room to the round table near the window and set the tray down, then arranged the table before turning back to face Circe, waiting for another order.
"Thank you. That will be enough for now," Circe said.
The maid dipped her head and left, pulling the door shut behind her.
The room was silent now that it was just them in it. Thalora watched her daughter from where she sat, curious, as Circe made her way deeper into the room and stopped just short of the table.
"What is all this?" Thalora asked.
Circe gestured lightly toward the spread. "I thought we could share a meal together. Just the two of us."
