"If that is for the best, then I will do as suggested."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
When Rinne and Lilyca returned from their "rest," the atmosphere in the reception room had shifted.
The chaos of earlier had subsided, and the tea had been refreshed. The winter light through the windows had softened from pale gold to the deeper, amber hue of late afternoon.
Lilyca had changed out of her feather ensemble. The layered cloak of black plumage had been replaced with a simple, comfortable dress, soft wool in a dark grey that matched the winter sky outside.
Without the feathers, she looked smaller. Her black hair had been brushed and rebraided, and her silver-white eyes seemed a fraction more relaxed.
Rinne had done a good job getting her more relaxed. He walked beside her and had recovered somewhat during their brief absence.
