Chapter Nine.

The sun stretched her golden fingers, dispelling the night, and sending streams of pale warmth in every direction. She peeked through the corner of a window where the curtain had not been pulled back properly. Lazily, she curled about the black strands of hair lying against the white pillow and danced upon the snowy skin of the delicate face of the woman lying there.

Slowly, the sun's early tendrils woke the woman and for a moment she lay still, letting the light bathe her gently. Then with a little sigh, Shinko rolled over.

The bed next to her was empty.

She sat up on her elbows, frowning. After last night's interruption, she had expected Roald to still be abed, but there was no sign of him.

She sighed. She supposed she shouldn't expect Roald to change because of a bad dream. This was Roald after all, and he prided himself on staying the same regardless of what happened.

The door peeked open and one of her handmaids slipped into the room. Shinko had two personal maids that helped look after her: one from her native Isles, and one from her new home. Surprisingly, the two young women got on wonderfully well; they exchanged stories, methods and hints with ease.

The girl that entered now was Ahnie, her Tortallan maid. She smiled to see her lady awake and crossed the room to open the curtains.

''Tis a lovely day, my lady,' she said. 'Albeit freezing.'

'Ahnie, do you know where my prince is?'

'I believe he rose as usual, my lady,' she replied. 'But I can find out if you wish.'

'No, no, that's quite all right, thank you.' Shinko pushed back the covers and shivered a little as the full cold of the room hit her. Ahnie rushed forward with a warm over robe and placed it gently on my lady's shoulders.

'Your bath is ready, my lady, if it pleases you.'

'It pleases me greatly, Ahnie,' Shinko teased. 'And it had better be hot!'

Ahnie returned the smile. 'Indeed, my lady.' They went through into Shinko's private bathing and dressing room. A black-haired, pale-skinned young maid was just checking the temperature of the bathwater as they entered.

'Good morning, Noemi,' greeted Shinko.

'Good morning, my lady,' replied the Yamani, bowing with her palms pressed flat to her thighs.

'What dress shall I prepare for you today, my lady?' asked Ahnie as Noemi took the fur-lined over robe and started to undo the points of Shinko's nightgown.

'My green kimono, I think,' replied Shinko.

'The one with the dragonfly print?'

'No, no; the pale green one.' She pulled the nightgown off.

'Very well, my lady.'

Shinko slipped into the bath while Ahnie disappeared into Shinko's walk-in wardrobe. Noemi began to soak the Princess's long hair, careful not to get the hot water in my lady's eyes.

Shinko relaxed against the back of the bath, closing her eyes. She was tired from comforting Roald last night. She pondered on Roald's nightmare, wondering what it had been about. He had had a few nightmares when they had first married, but they had never talked about what he saw and he had never had such a violent reaction to them. The night horrors had soon stopped, and she had forgotten about them.

Noemi began to massage soap into Shinko's hair, and the Princess sighed in pleasure, feeling all her body relax as the maid's fingers worked on her scalp. Roald could do with this treatment, she thought. She really hoped Roald was well today; she knew how tired he must be after his ruined sleep.

She worried about him, and she didn't know what to do about it. Who was there to turn to? Who could she talk to about the Crown Prince's health? She wished Yuki was here, but she was still north with Sir Neal.

Noemi had finished soaping her hair and passed the bar to Shinkokami. Distracted- her thoughts still on her husband- the Princess ran the lavender-smelling bar over her skin. Her maid rinsed the soapsuds out of her hair as Ahnie bustled in, her arms full of clothes.

While Ahnie laid out the green and cream kimono, the underclothes, and the warm stockings, Noemi rinsed the Princess's hair with rose water to fragrance it. Then Shinko climbed out of the bath into the large towel Ahnie held ready.

She was dried and dressed, one maid dealing with her body as the other took control of her hair. The latter was braided into two thick plaits, with green ribbon running through. Once her lips were rouged, her neck dabbed with rose water, jewels hung from her ears, and fur-lined slippers placed on her feet, Shinkokami felt ready to face the day. Well, nearly. She just needed to satisfy her stomach first.

Thanking her maids, she left her set of rooms, and headed to the mess halls for breakfast. The doormen bowed as she entered the first hall; she nodded and smiled at them, crossing the room to the High Table.

It was a small room, where important members of court could eat in state if they so wished. It was a way Jon and Thayet could prevent angry arguments about their general lack of grand banquets. Shinkokami understood the monarch's policies to dining, but found it a little hard to adjust to. As a Princess, she had been used to being waited on at home. Now, if she was eating alone, she often came here, where she could be served and eat in silence, as if she was still in the Isles.

As soon as she had sat down, a bowl of hot porridge was placed before her. There were already little dishes of honey, syrup, sugar and jugs of milk on the table and Shinko helped herself to a little milk. She didn't have to ask for her drink; the men here knew that every morning she had the tea sent specially from her mother.

Shinko had barely started on her breakfast when a friendly voice interrupted her quiet contemplations.

'May I join you for a short while, your Highness?'

She looked up to see Sir Faleron of King's Reach towering above her, a tray in hand. Nodding, she gestured to the seat beside her. Although she did like to eat by herself in the mornings, she was not prepared to be rude. Not only was he a friend and cousin to her husband, he was also a knight and would one day serve under her.

'May I help you, Sir Faleron?'

'Not at all,' he said smiling, as he sat down. 'I only wished to chat with you for a few moments.'

'Very well, what would you like to speak of?'

He shrugged and waved a hand as if to say it was of little importance. 'How are you finding Tortall now you are a married woman? Is it any different?'

She chose her words carefully, wondering if he had an ulterior motive. 'It is just as pleasing as before, Sir.'

'Good.' He smiled. 'More so, I should hope, now that you are finally settled.'

Yes, she thought, you would think that, would you not? She bowed her head in silent acceptance of his words and continued eating her porridge.

After a few minutes of silent eating, Faleron said, 'I hope Roald makes you happy, Princess.' His words were so sincere that she looked up, wondering if her husband had confided in Sir Faleron. Her eyes met his, and she saw warmth and friendship and a touch of concern.

She looked away. 'Thank you, Sir. I endeavour to do the same for him, as is my duty.'

He smiled again, a slightly wicked look coming into his eyes. 'A word of advice, Princess, if you do not think it too presumptuous of me: Do not get too hung up about duty with Roald. The Prince has enough of that already to last him several lifetimes- he does not need any in the little private life he has. Do right by him, of course, but I hope at least some it comes from yourself.'

Shinko's expression was sharp as she took in Sir Faleron. What had Roald told him? Oh, she was sorely tempted to ask.

'I am very fond of my husband.'

'Good,' he replied. 'He is very fond of you.'

She had to look down; her breakfast swam in front of her. She couldn't let this knight see she was close to crying.

Luckily, she was saved from replying to Faleron's words. From the corner of her eye she saw him stand, bow, and bid his farewells. As she watched him leave the hall, she wondered briefly if she should have confided in him.

She took a shaky breath. Everything was becoming too much. She was so concerned about Roald. She pushed her porridge away; her stomach was sick with worry.

As Shinko left the hall, she pondered why Sir Faleron had been eating his breakfast there. It was a rare sight to see a young knight voluntarily eating in state. Had he been waiting for her? Had Roald asked him to keep an eye on her? She promised herself to ask Sir Faleron next time they met, however inappropriate it may seem.

---

In… out. In, out. In, out.

Shinko's delicate fingers pulled the little needle easily through the material. In, out; it was a rhythmic motion that soothed her frayed nerves and eased her tired mind.

The Princess sat in the Gallery. It was a long thin room, decorated with glorious paintings commissioned over the years by the various rulers of Tortall. Gentle music came to her from the other end of the room and the quiet hum of talk was lulling.

She sat in a cushioned window seat for the light, as did many other sewing ladies. Some ladies were walking the length of the room as a poor form of exercise; it was snowing outside. As Shinko looked up she realised one of these ladies was approaching her. She smiled at Lady Reana and continued sewing.

'Good afternoon, your Highness.'

'Good afternoon, Lady Reana. Won't you sit down?'

'Thank you.' Lady Reana settled next to Shinko, glancing at the latter's embroidery. 'You've made a few mistakes, Shinko; that's unlike you. Is something wrong?'

'Not at all. Tell me how you have been.' Shinko kept her face down, concentrating on her sewing.

'Oh, nothing new I'm afraid. I am enjoying being back at Court, even if he isn't here anymore…' She sighed.

Shinko didn't have to ask who "he" was, she knew her friend was referring to Sir Neal. Regardless of his engagement, she still couldn't put him out of her mind. Shinko glanced up at her companion through her eyelashes.

Lady Reana's voluminous red curls were loose around her face and her blue eyes were bright against her pale skin. Those eyes seemed dazed and dreamy at the moment, and Shinko could easily guess why. She tried to change the conversation.

'There are still the Midwinter Festivities to look forward to.' As much as you can enjoy such things while your realm is still at war, she added silently.

'Yes,' replied Reana with a sigh. 'But who shall I strive to catch beneath the mistletoe now?'

Shinko tried to keep her smile to herself. 'I am sure you will find somebody.'

'And are you going to catch Roald beneath the mistletoe?' Reana asked wickedly. 'Or do you have someone else in mind?'

The Princess's eyes darted up, shocked by her friend's accusation. 'I would never do that!'

Reana laughed. 'I was only jesting! Great Mother, I know you wouldn't even think of it! You're far too stiff still, Shinko; most married women have affairs.'

Shinko hissed at her to keep her voice low and said, 'I am not most women.'

Reana sighed. 'No, I guess not. I suppose there are some disadvantages to being Royal then.' She fixed Shinko with a shrewd look. 'You're not in love with him, are you? That would just be too much.'

Shinko kept her eyes fixed on her sewing, her heart fluttering within her breast. Some time ago she would have refused that very idea, but now she was all too aware it was true. She loved him- she had loved him for a while- and it wasn't going to change any time soon, however much he currently irritated her with his secrecy.

'Would it,' she said, 'be so surprising if I had come to love him in some way after we have been together so long?'

Reana shrugged, her shoulders tensing. 'Can you grow to love someone just because you are bound to them? I think not. Love is passion and- and irrational and beautiful. It doesn't just grow.'

Shinko made no reply. She knew her friend was bitter after Sir Neal had announced his betrothal and that her attitude towards love and romance was no longer as positive as it once had been. Lady Reana sighed, and they lapsed into silence for some time.

Finally, her voice a whisper, Shinko said, 'I'm worried about him, Reana.'

'Who, Roald?' Reana shifted closer, pretending to inspect the Princess's embroidery.

'Yes.'

'What's wrong? Has he – said something?'

'No, that's exactly the problem. He won't talk to me.'

'Still?'

'Still. I don't know what to do.'

Reana paused, hesitant to ask a Princess such an intimate question. But there was nothing for it. Her voice steady, she asked tentatively, 'Is your marriage falling apart?'

To her surprise, Shinkokami responded with a harsh laugh. She looked up for the first time during the conversation, meeting Reana's eyes.

'Falling apart? Our – marriage never got started.'

Reana blinked, stupefied into silence. Finally, 'Did- did you never consummate it?'

'Yes, of course.' Shinko's tone was scalding.

'Then…'

Shinko waved a hand. 'Forget it, Reana.' Striving to alter the conversation, she continued, 'He had a nightmare last night.'

'A nightmare? Well, that's nothing too disastrous, surely.'

'I'm not so sure.' The Yamani's voice and temper were cooling as the sudden bolt of her anger passed. 'It seemed so violent… In truth, his reaction scared me and I do not even know what the dream was about.'

'Would he not tell you?'

Shinko shrugged. 'He spoke gibberish.' Her eyes scanned the long room and noticed Princess Lianne- her arm in a sling- strolling the Gallery with her mother. 'He had left this morning before I could ask him about it.'

Shinko watched as Princess Lianne stood on tiptoe to press a kiss to her mother's cheek before making her way towards her sister-in-law. Shinko bowed her head again, her next words hurried and firm.

'Do not breathe a word of this, Reana. I do not wish Roald's family to hear of this if not from him- especially not his sister. Do you understand me?'

'Of course, your Highness.'

'Good afternoon, Shinko!'

'Good afternoon, Princess Lianne. You seem happy today.' Shinko smiled prettily.

'Yes, I am. Hello, Lady Reana.'

Lady Reana stood and curtsied. 'Good morning, your Highness.'

Lianne pulled over a chair with her good arm and sat down. 'Sit with us, Reana.' The lady did as she was told, taking back her position on the window seat. 'How are you, Shinko?'

'I am well, thank you, Lianne. And what of yourself? Why is it you are so happy?'

Anne shrugged. 'I like winter, and my arm has stopped throbbing now.'

'That's good.'

'Yes.' Lianne leant forward to put her hand on her sister's arm. 'I wanted to thank you, Shinko. I hear you helped a great deal when…' she gestured at her sling, 'it happened. So, thank you.'

Shinko blinked. 'There's no need to thank me, Lianne. I'm just glad I was passing at the time.'

'Well, thank you anyway.' Lianne pulled back, letting the older Princess return to her sewing. 'How's Roald this morning?'

Shinko tensed. What did she know? 'I believe he is well.' She wasn't about to tell Lianne she hadn't seen him yet today!

'Oh, good. He seemed a little… tense when he came to visit me the other day.'

'Yes, I think…' Shinko hesitated, unsure of how much to say to the younger girl. She changed her mind, last minute. 'I think he is just tired.'

Lianne looked sceptical. 'Just tired? I think he's overworking himself.'

Shinko's eyes snapped up. Perhaps she should give Lianne more credit. 'I have often thought that myself too, but… but he will not stop.'

'No,' said Lianne. 'Uncle Gary said Roald's always working.'

'Lianne, I…'

'Yes?'

Shinko bit her lip and glanced across at Lady Reana. Reana was the only one she had confided in at all about Roald- and even what she had told her was minimal; now, her friend nodded.

'I worry about Roald,' rejoined Shinko, her voice a strained whisper.

'Me too. He'll make himself ill if he's not careful.'

Shinko's chest tightened, remembering last night. No, she couldn't bring herself to tell Lianne that much.

'Well, this looks like a cheerful little party,' said a new voice. Shinko jumped and looked up into the Queen's hazel eyes. 'Can anyone join, or is it invitation only?'

'Oh, please join us, your Majesty,' cried Lady Reana, leaping up. 'Here, take my seat.'

Thayet smiled. 'Thank you. It's Lady Reana of Heathercove, isn't it? You must forgive me; with everything going on I've not had much time with my Court recently.' She settled next to her daughter-in-law and Reana made her excuses and left the Royal women, sashaying away in a rustle of pink silk.

Shinko's poor nerves were on edge throughout the whole of the conversation with Thayet. She was very fond of her mother-in-law, but today she was too worried about Roald to make small talk. His nightmare had erased all of her annoyance with him; now, she felt nothing but concern.

Roald had suffered with the occasional nightmare when he had returned from the war for their wedding, but he had always been embarrassed about them. Never before had he reacted so strongly to them, or sought comfort from her. The scenes from last night haunted her, the jumbled words he muttered running in circles through her mind.

The conversation, therefore, was rather stilted. Thayet and Lianne chatted most of the time, and neither thought anything much of the Yamani woman's silence. They had no idea she felt she was deceiving the Queen by not making her known of Roald's suffering.

Matters were only made worse when Roald himself entered the Gallery to visit his mother and sister. Seeing the three women seated together, he instantly made his way towards them.

Shinko tried desperately to keep her face calm. Apart from looking a touch pale and having those permanent bags beneath his eyes, Roald looked no worse for last night's experience. Perhaps, then, it had not been as bad as it seemed? Perhaps he didn't even remember it.

'Good afternoon Mother, Lianne, Shinko.' Roald bent to kiss their cheeks. Shinko's heart fluttered when he voluntarily pressed his lips to her skin; had his lips lingered a little longer than they should have?

'Hello, my son. Has Gary let you escape?'

Roald smiled at his mother's teasing and inquired after his sister's arm. While they chatted, Shinko gave all her attention over to her embroidery, keeping her from having to talk.

In her agitation, her fine needle slipped from her fingers. Her heart sank; these needles were terrible to find once dropped.

To her surprise, a rough-skinned hand came into her sight. The fingers picked something off the edge of her skirt; she looked up into Roald's tired blue eyes. She was held there a moment- and then she realised he was pressing her hand with his. The needle.

'Thank you, Roald,' she said, her voice quiet. She quickly hid the shaking of her hands beneath her embroidery.

He smiled, but his words were barely audible. 'No, Shinko, thank you.' He straightened and gave his mother and Lianne a big smile. 'I'm afraid I must go now.'

'Don't let Gary bully you,' teased Thayet. Roald smiled, and then he was moving away.

'Bye Roald!' called Lianne.

Shinko watched him go, confused and trembling. Thank you? Thank you for what? For last night, for comforting him with his nightmares? Surely not!

'Roald's such a dear boy,' said Thayet quietly, lost in her own thoughts. Shinko smiled and nodded and tried not to feel guilty for not confiding in her mother-in-law. Looking after Roald was her only duty here in Tortall, and she didn't want to have to admit to her betters that she had failed in that one small job.

---

That night, Shinko was sure she'd see Roald. She was certain he'd want to speak after what he had done that afternoon.

But he didn't turn up to dinner and although she waited up for as long as she could, she ended up going to bed alone yet again.

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