Maria straightened her back and looked at the girls.
But...before anyone could react she bowed her head.
It was not a hurried motion, not stiff or forced.
Instead it was slow and calm.
As if she had practiced it many times in her life.
As she bent forward, her golden hair slipped gently from her shoulders.
It kept flowing down like soft threads of sunlight.
The strands caught the light in the room and shimmered faintly.
The strands framed her face as they fell.
Even in that lowered posture, she looked regal.
Is was as though bowing did not lessen her presence but instead emphasized it.
There was a quiet dignity in the way she held herself.
A natural grace that remained untouched even while she apologized.
When she lifted her head again, her expression was steady.
Her eyes clear, and her posture straight.
It carried the same noble air she had before.
"I'm sorry for everything my sister put you through," Maria said.
Her voice was calm but heavy with meaning.
