Even though her due date is nearing fast, the Queen has chosen to migrate from her bedroom down three staircases to the Lounge each day. Her reasons are perfectly valid: the Lounge is a comfortable space which boasts windows which span all the from the floor to the ceiling and overlook the Castle Gardens. Furthermore, these windows can open, allowing the fresh spring breeze to carry birdsong into the unvisited rooms of the Castle.
The Queen takes a sip from her teacup and relaxes in her cushioned armchair. Locked away in her bedroom all winter, she was starved of the joys of nature. Now, she prefers embracing the scent of the freshly-cut lawn over a cup of tea to applying make-up in the mirror of her vanity all day.
"Would you mind fetching some more tea?" she calls to her Attendant. "And perhaps some biscuits also?"
Impa dotingly carries the tray out of the Lounge and into the kitchens. She fills the kettle and places it on the stove. As she waits for it to boil, Imogen strolls in carrying a tablecloth.
"Oh, Impa!" she calls opportunistically. "Would you mind if I used some of that boiled water? I have a stain here that just won't budge!"
"Be me guest…" Impa mutters, continuing to stare out absentmindedly of the window.
Imogen lingers behind her as the two of them wait patiently for the whistle of the funnel.
"I hear you were studying in the Library not long ago." the maid pipes. "I also enjoy reading sometimes. Nothing beats getting lost in the pages of a story, am I right?"
Impa does not respond.
"Faito told me everything, by the way." she blurts. "About the Royal Commander. What a terrible ordeal…"
"Not near as terrible as the ordeal Faito will find himself in once I get my hands on him"" Impa grimaces. "He has no business spouting classified information like that" It's strictly confidential!"
"Nothing is confidential in these Castle Walls." Imogen refutes her. "Besides, you were only trying to do good. I'm sorry that no one would listen."
"Whatever." the Attendant shrugs. "It's in the past now."
"But there are still injustices happening to this day!" Imogen explains. "And no one is doing anything to stop them!"
Impa raises an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"
Imogen glances from wall to wall as though they have ears. "I cannot talk about it here. But if you're willing to assist me in doing the right thing, then meet me at my apartment just before ten o'clock tonight."
The kettle whistles loudly, bringing their conversation to an abrupt end. Impa fills the teapot with steaming water and whisks the tray back into the Lounge. As she pours the fresh tea into Her Majesty's teacup, her mind is distracted by the thoughts running wild in her head. Was this some sort of trap? How far did she trust this gossiping busy-body?
The piping hot tea spills over, scalding her on the hand. She yelps in pain and presses it to her lips. The Queen spins round in her armchair. "Is everything alright back there?"
"Yes, just fine Your Majesty." Impa chimes. "Just a burn, that's all."
"Don't be ridiculous!" the Queen gasps. "Go and dowse it with cold water!"
Impa obediently returns to the kitchen to tend to her wound; yet Imogen's invitation still plays in the back of her mind.
Her Majesty's voice beckons her attention from the other room. "While you're there, could you please check the cupboards for some biscuits?"
