CHAPTER ELEVEN — TERMS OF ATTENTION
Morning arrived with a thin, restless light. Charlotte was summoned before she had finished her duties, a quiet knock delivered with too much precision to be accidental. A servant informed her that Princess Eleanor was waiting.
Charlotte followed without hesitation.
Eleanor's sitting room overlooked the eastern gardens. The doors were open, letting in cool air and distant birdsong. Eleanor stood by the window, her back turned, hands resting lightly on the sill.
"You walk quietly," Eleanor said.
Charlotte stopped at a respectful distance. "I was instructed to."
Eleanor turned. "You are instructed often."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Eleanor gestured to a chair. "Sit."
Charlotte hesitated for a breath, then obeyed.
"You serve the Queen closely," Eleanor said. "That invites questions."
"I answer only what is asked."
Eleanor smiled faintly. "Careful. That is not a denial."
Charlotte remained still.
Eleanor paced slowly. "In Westridge, servants do not stand near rulers unless they are useful beyond appearance."
"I am useful as assigned," Charlotte said.
"Assigned by whom?"
"The Queen."
Eleanor stopped. "And the Prince?"
Charlotte met her gaze. "He speaks when needed."
Eleanor studied her for a moment. "You are disciplined," she said. "That is not common."
Charlotte said nothing.
Eleanor resumed walking. "You will accompany me during my stay," she said. "You will listen. You will speak only when directed. You will report nothing unless ordered."
Charlotte inclined her head. "Yes, Your Highness."
"Good," Eleanor said. "Then we will understand each other."
Later, Charlotte crossed the inner courtyard with Eleanor at her side. The other princesses were already gathered near the fountain.
Clara smiled warmly. "There you are," she said. "We were beginning to wonder."
Margaret's gaze went straight to Charlotte. "So she follows you now?"
"She assists me," Eleanor replied.
Margaret laughed lightly. "Fairwell grows more interesting by the day."
Anne watched quietly.
Adrien approached from the opposite side. His eyes flicked briefly to Charlotte before returning to Eleanor.
"I trust your morning has been pleasant," he said.
"It has been revealing," Eleanor replied.
"Fairwell tends to be," Adrien said.
Margaret leaned forward. "Prince Adrien," she said. "You are very attentive to your servants."
Adrien replied evenly. "I am attentive to conduct."
Margaret smiled. "How noble."
The Queen appeared before the exchange could sharpen further. "You will tour the grounds today," she said. "Charlotte will remain present."
Margaret raised a brow. "Of course she will."
The walk through the gardens was controlled, polite, and layered with unspoken tension. Clara admired the flowers. Anne asked measured questions. Margaret tested boundaries with casual remarks. Eleanor observed everything.
Charlotte walked just behind Eleanor, listening.
At the far edge of the garden, Eleanor slowed.
"You are efficient," Eleanor said quietly.
"I was trained to be," Charlotte replied.
"Trained where?"
Charlotte paused. "In service."
Eleanor nodded. "Interesting answer."
That afternoon, Charlotte was summoned again, this time by the Queen. The chamber was quiet.
"You are being noticed," the Queen said.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Princess Eleanor is not impulsive," the Queen continued. "She measures."
"I will remain cautious."
The Queen regarded her steadily. "You will remain where I place you."
Charlotte bowed. "Always."
That evening, Adrien found Charlotte near the corridor.
"She is testing you," he said.
"I know."
"And the others will follow."
"I expect that."
Adrien hesitated. "If it becomes too much—"
"I will endure," Charlotte said.
He studied her. "You should not have to."
She looked at him. "Yet I do."
Their eyes held for a moment longer than necessary.
From the balcony above, Margaret watched the exchange. Her smile faded.
"So that is how it is," she said softly.
The palace settled into night, but the tension remained awake.
Charlotte returned to her quarters, knowing one truth clearly.