The next few days pass by slowly, but they are by far some of the most peaceful days I have ever experienced since I arrived to Esterpool. My body will take some time to heal, but I gain enough strength to begin moving on my own. The cuts and bruises on my body are less sore, and the swelling in my face begins to decrease. My ribcage still pains me, and my black eye has begun to turn a grossly green color, but Dr. Thornton is satisfied with my healing thus far.

True to Asteria's word, I spend my days in her quarters. She is the first person to greet me when I wake and the last to say goodnight to me before I sleep. When we are together, we chat, not usually about anything interesting, but the conversation is invigorating all the same. Sometimes in the afternoons we sip tea and talk about how we hope that summer will be warm and the new flowers Asteria wants to plant in the garden. Asteria asks me a little about Landiani; I ask her a little about Magewell.

Though I was spending time dressing Asteria before the incident, I find that our prolonged time together is allowing me to learn more about her. Her response to my attack has already proven she is stronger than I believed, but I learn other small details about her as well. Her favorite color is a soft pastel pink. She is deathly afraid of bees. She has a remarkable sweet tooth. She learned to embroider from her mother, but she has been unable to match her skill. I know none of this information will be helpful to the mission, and yet, I strangely desire to learn as much about her as I can.

Time moves slowly when Asteria has to leave me for hours at a time. She leaves me books, and I often find a comfortable place along her windowsill to read. The weather is warm enough now that I open the windows during these hours. The light breeze and warm rays of sunlight are healing, and I feel a sense of inner peace I have not felt in a long time. I find myself humming, and at one point, even begin to open my mouth in song in the moments I am alone. It has been many years since I have sung softly to myself. One afternoon, Asteria walks in on me singing, and though I am embarrassed and slightly cautious of her finding me singing in my ancient tongue, she is celebratory of my voice and sits back peacefully while I finish my song.

A part of me wishes I could stay in Asteria's chambers forever, passing the days away peacefully. Time seems to stand still when I am here.

But then, there is always the lingering voice in my head, reminding me that I am on a mission, and that the bright, cheerful Asteria I interact with daily will be dead by the hands of my mother's plan in only a few months' time. I wonder when that fact became more haunting.

I consider writing to my mother, but I fear asking for parchment, afraid it will be seen as suspicious, or at worst, be intercepted on its way to the mailbox. I keep all the valuable information I have learned in my head for that reason, but it is made much more difficult by how foggy my mind has been as of late given my injuries. For the time being, I make no effort to write to my mother, and I receive no letters in response.

One evening, I sit alone in Asteria's room while she is downstairs enjoying dinner. My empty tray that Maria brought earlier sits on a nearby table. I hum quietly to myself. A knock echoes at the door, and my heart leaps, suspecting it is Asteria returning from dinner. Instead, Alba enters through the doorway, her hands folded into her sleeves.

Besides Asteria, I have been interacting with Alba and Maria most frequently during my healing process. Since the other maids have been barred from assisting Asteria as punishment for their actions, Alba and Maria are often here caring for the princess and assisting me with my own dressing, meals, and bedtime rituals. Maria usually visits me once a day simply to chat and update me on how the other maids are behaving in my absence.

It is not yet time for me to ready myself for bed, and I doubt Alba is taking the time to merely gather my dirty dishes or check in on how I am doing. I suppose she could just be alerting me that the doctor is coming to visit me again, but he was here this morning already, and I have not been in enough pain to call for him again.

"Is everything all right?" I ask.

"You had a visitor earlier this evening," Alba shares. "Taika."

I stiffen, which causes my muscles to ache. I hold in my gasp of pain and stare at her, unsure what to say.

"I—"

"I turned him away on your behalf," Alba says. "I explained that you were injured and are currently too unwell to see any visitors. I do not know if that was the appropriate response, but I cannot allow foreign visitors into the princess's chambers."

"N-No. I understand. I would not have been able to go walk with him through Esterpool like we normally do anyway," I say. "Did he say anything?"

"Only that he hoped you recovered quickly and to write when you can," Alba says.

I nod. "Was there anyone with him?"

Alba shakes her head. "Were you expecting someone?"

"No. Nevermind," I say. "I will write to him later. Thank you."

Alba nods, and seeing my empty tray, reaches for it. As soon as she leaves the chambers, my breath begins to quicken, and I fall into a panic as I realize Taika now knows I am injured. He knows that I am unwell enough to perform my duties, and if my mother was with him, I can only imagine the anger reflected on her face. I wish I could have explained the situation to Taika; that I chose not to fight back not to draw suspicion, and that I can still spy while injured. I glance down at shaking my hands, worrying that my mother will remove me from Esterpool like she threatened a short while ago. Tears well in my eyes at the thought. I must allow her to give me more time, to prove to her that I can do this.

Just then, the door opens. Asteria enters, Maria following behind her to assist with the princess's bedtime ritual.

"Good evening, Fe. I am back from—" Asteria's voice falters when she sees my panicked expression. I quickly try to compose myself and pretend all is well, but it is clear she knows I am upset.

"Maria, why don't you enjoy the rest of the evening off? I can ready myself this evening," Asteria says.

Maria blinks in shock. "Are you sure, Princess? I am perfectly capable—"

"I'm sure. I will call you if I need anything," Asteria says.

Maria nods, wishes us a good evening, and quickly departs. Though I have managed to calm my breathing, I cannot hide my shaking limbs or the tears that have stained on my cheeks. Asteria quickly marches toward me and grabs onto my wrist.

"What's wrong?" she asks.

"N-Nothing," I lie.

"Fe."

"I-It is the pain," I lie. "I am in more pain than normal this evening. But it's not for you to be concerned about."

"I will call one of the maids to help draw a bath for you," Asteria decides, letting go of my wrist.

"It's okay—"

"Nonsense. I don't wish to see you in pain. I will leave you just a moment to ready myself for bed, but I will be back in a few minutes," Asteria promises. She grabs a blanket from the couch she sleeps on and gently layers it over my body. "Keep yourself warm."

I nod and pull the blanket closely to me. It smells of her, I realize. Since when did Asteria have a distinct scent – like flowers and perfume and sugar?

I try to not let my thoughts wander much as Alba enters and begins drawing my bath. Asteria is marching around in her nightgown, speaking quietly with Alba. I pay them no mind, instead praying that when my mother does learn of my injuries, she will let me stay in Esterpool a bit longer. I have to trust that Taika will speak well of me. I must trust that I will be allowed to continue my mission.

Alba leaves Asteria's bedchambers without a word, and then Asteria re-emerges, dressed in a purple nightgown.

"You can bathe now," Asteria says. She offers her hand to me. "I can assist you."

"A-Are you sure? I thought Alba would—"

"I figure it will be less stressful for you if it is just me assisting you tonight," Asteria says.

A new sense of nervousness invades my body that I am not used to. Asteria has spent much time with me as I have healed, but Maria and Alba have been the ones always assisting me with the more hands-on tasks, like changing my bandages, dressing me, and helping me bathe. I grasp onto Asteria's hand as she leads me to her bathing area. I wish I could understand why I am so unreasonably flustered.

"I can take it from here—"

Asteria cuts me off. "You should not, especially with your injuries. You have helped with dressing me many times before. Now I can finally assist you," Asteria says.

My cheeks grow warm as she begins to undress me. There are not too many layers given I have been wearing simple gowns while recovering. I feel a unique slickness in my palms that is not normally there when Alba or Maria help me into the bath. My worries about Taika's visit and my mother's reaction to my injuries have suddenly vanished. Now, I am simply focused on remaining as composed as possible as Asteria peels my gown from my body. Despite my embarrassment at no longer being dressed, she says nothing; however, I do see her catch a quick glimpse at my abdomen.

"Your bruises look like they are healing," Asteria says. She reaches her hand up to undo my hair from the clip it has been in all day. Slowly, my long, wavy hair cascades down my back.

I grip onto Asteria's arm as she helps me into the bath. The bottom of the tub is slippery, but she holds me steady until I am able to sit. The warm water is instantly relieving, and I sink in slowly, letting out a sigh of relief.

"Feel better?" Asteria asks.

I nod.

"I will leave you to bathe," she says. "Let me know when you are ready to get out."

I nod, watching her walk away. Instantly, my embarrassment is gone, and I take my time soaking in the tub and washing my body. I inspect my bruised body more closely, realizing that my wounds are healing well. I am almost disappointed to realize it. I think inwardly, a part of me hoped I could remain like this, living in luxury in Asteria's chambers, forever. I shake my head, realizing I cannot grow soft now that I have been exposed to what it is like to be treated like a royal. When I am healed, my mission will resume, and I will need to put in ten times the effort, especially now that my mother is most likely aware of my injuries.

When I am satisfied with my bath, I weakly call to Asteria. She emerges not a moment later with a soft towel, and though I am embarrassed stepping out of the bathtub once more, I am happy once she wraps the towel tightly around my body. Asteria reaches for another towel on a shelf beside the tub.

"For your hair," she says.

I expect her to give me the towel to dry my hair myself, but she delicately wraps it around my head and gently rubs, carefully inspecting how dry my hair is after a few shakes of the towel.

"I have not had the chance to say this earlier, but your hair is quite beautiful," Asteria says, glancing down at it as she holds strands of it in the towel.

"Oh. Thank you," I say.

"I do not often get to see you wear it down."

"Alba requires us to wear it up," I say simply.

"I understand that is the maid protocol. Still, I am thankful for the moments I do get to see it down. It has such beautiful waves, and when you are in the sunlight, it glows as if there are stars in it," Asteria says.

I have never thought of my hair as being beautiful, at least when I compare it to Asteria's golden locks, so the compliment sits warmly.

"Thank you," I say.

"I can help ready you for bed," Asteria says.

I want to argue again with her and tell her I can slip on my gown myself, but the bath has tired me, and I am still not free from pain, so I allow her to dress me. When my nightgown is comfortably on, Asteria leads me to her bed. I think how sad I will be to return to my creaky bunbked back at the maids' quarters. Asteria's bed is truly is one of the most comfortable I have ever slept on, giving even my bed in Tetoa a run for its money.

Though this is where we usually part for the night, I am surprised that as soon as I am tucked in and comfortable, Asteria climbs in on the other side. I stiffen, wondering what has compelled her to continue to keep me company. This is where our bedtime ritual normally ends. I lean back against the pillows, stiffening when I feel Asteria's fingers gently play with the ends of my drying hair.

"Are you feeling better now?" she asks.

"Yes. Thank you. And thank you for continuing to care for me," I say. "I do not think I would have healed as quickly if you were not such a good caretaker."

Asteria smiles warmly. "I am glad you are feeling better." She reaches for my exposed arm on top of the covers and stares down at the healing bruises on my forearm.

"It is not as bad as it looks. The pain is fading," I tell her.

She nods quietly, as if she is contemplating something. Suddenly, her face tilts downwards to my forearm, and I shiver as her lips press gently against one of the bruises there. In shock, I quickly recoil my arm and cradle it close to my body.

"What are you—"

Asteria's head pops back up, and I see hurt reflect in her eyes. "Sorry," she says. "My mother used to kiss my bruises when I was younger. I thought it might be comforting, but...."

I breathe a sigh in relief. "No, no. I just didn't know what you were doing, that is all. Um...if you would like to continue, I don't mind."

"Are you sure?" Asteria asks.

I nod and hold out my arm once more. Even though I expect it this time, I still cannot cease the shivers that run through my body as I feel her soft lips press against my skin. I curse myself, wondering why my body is reacting in such a way. Thankfully, Asteria does not seem to notice. She carefully gives attention to each bruise, until finally, she pauses her kisses near my shoulder. In the dimness of the room, her cheeks look flushed, but I suppose the lamplight can make anything appear warmer in tone than it presently is. We hold each other gaze's for a moment, then Asteria lets her head fall against the pillows. I sink down further in the mattress and turn my head to look at her.

"Do you have many memories of your mother, Fe?" Asteria asks. Her hand has moved back to my hair, which she strokes gently.

"No," I lie. "I was young when she died, after all."

"I do not have many memories of mine either," Asteria says quietly. "I am thankful I remember my mother more than Stephan ever will, and yet, I never feel the memories I do have of her are enough. I can feel them slipping. I am afraid that one day, I will forget what her voice sounded like, or even what her face used to look like when hung back in laughter."

I pause. Slowly, I inhale. "I do not remember my mother well, but I have memories of my father," I say.

Asteria glances at me, looking at me to go on.

"I cannot recall what he sounded like, but I can still remember his face in my mind. I was always told I bore more resemblance to him than my mother," I say.

"Were you close?" Asteria asks.

"No. At least not in my memories. Perhaps we were closer. The memories – they exist, but they are scattered. I wish I remembered more of him," I say quietly. These are thoughts I have never had the courage to share with anyone, not even Kiana. Why I feel okay sharing it with the princess of Magnuvia, I don't understand.

"To lose a parent is hard," Asteria murmurs. "Especially when you loved them so."

Tears well in my eyes. We are different in this regard, I think. Asteria's affection for her mother is clear, but I cannot say with certainty that I loved my father, especially since my memories of him are so limited, especially since I resented him for many years for changing my mother when he died. I wish I loved him.

"Oh, Fe," Asteria says concernedly, seeing that I am crying.

I do not expect it when she moves her body closer to mine. Her arm gently slithers under my body, and the other tightens around my back. The princess is comfortingly warm against me. I can feel her inhale and exhale softly as I press my head against her chest. It is stupid, embracing her this way, and yet, even though my heart races and my body trembles with tears, I can feel her alleviating some of my emotional pain just in the way she holds me.

"My grandmother always told me my father would be proud of who I am today," I murmur. "I do not know if that is true."

"I am sure it is," Asteria says.

"Do you think your mother would be proud of you?" I ask.

Asteria makes a sound of uncertainty. "I would hope so. I was closer to her than my father, but her opinion was always second to his. I do not know if she would have had any say in my move to Esterpool."

I hum in response. Suddenly, I notice tears streaming down Asteria's own cheeks now. I reach up to wipe them, but she has already whisked them away.

"Sorry," Asteria says. "I get sad when I think of my mother. That is all. No one speaks of her much anymore. It makes me happy to talk about her, as sorrowful as the memories of her make me feel."

I feel sorry for her as I see her eyes glisten with tears. I still do not know everything about Asteria, but I know that she must be feeling alone. I am sure that when she has felt this grief before, she has been alone, with no one to comfort her, so I embrace her tightly, and when our grips on each other loosen and our cheeks are dried, we still do not let go.

"Thank you," I say.

"Thank you, Fe," she murmurs.

My head sinks into the pillow of Asteria's bed. This would be an appropriate time for us to break apart – for Asteria to head to the couch that she has been sleeping on for the past week, and for me to drift off to sleep, but we remain entangled in each other's arms. Her fingers begin threading delicately through my hair, increasing my drowsiness. My eyelids suddenly grow heavy.

"Good night, Fe," Asteria says softly.

I tell myself that I was too tired to speak up, that I was so pain-free that to move my body would have undone all the tender care it took to lessen my pain earlier in the evening. There are many excuses I can offer, but the fact of the matter remains – I fall asleep entangled in Asteria's arms that night.