Now, we will leave these pretty little sparrows and wind our way back to the king's chamber. He has been up the whole time, unable to rest, as he is still troubled by his daughter's unsettling remark. He has yet to have the nightmare, but that will come shortly. For now, he is standing on his balcony, gazing up at the moon, which is directly above him. It has been a long night and dawn is not far off.
Gerard stares upward when a knock on his door breaks him of his mind's wanderings. "Come in," he bids his guest, as he re-enters his chamber.
The latch releases, the door is pulled open and within steps Amelia. She is dressed in a simple red gown, far more comfortable than the armor she had been wearing. "Your highness," she addresses her father, as she curtsies.
Gerard hastens to his daughter's side, where he stands rigid. "Rise," he commands her before softening his tone. "Rise, and greet me proper."
The resplendently dressed woman does as she's instructed and throws her arms about her father's neck. "I'm so sorry," she chokes through sobs. "I don't know what came over me."
"Dear Amelia," Gerard soothes her as he rubs her back. "It's quite alright. You needn't weep."
His daughter squeezes her father tightly before drawing back to arm's length. She wipes the tears running from her eyes.
"What has you troubled so?" Gerard attempts to assuage his daughter's sorrow while giving her a reassuring smile.
"I don't know," Amelia admits as she lowers and shakes her head. "I haven't been myself since the fire." She snaps her head up quickly. "But I didn't mean what I said."
"Then all is forgiven," Gerard assures her as he gives her a kiss on the forehead before looking her directly in the eye. "Now, you go and rest up. You've had a very tiring evening, but I'm certain, everything will be better in the morning."
Amelia gives her father one last embrace before curtsying, tuning about and walking down the corridor. All the while her father watches her depart and shuts the door once she is gone from sight. He leans against the door and lets up a big sigh. A great weight has been lifted from his shoulders, but there is still a matter to be resolved and he has plenty of time to reason it out.