"Marcy?"

"Ah, Princess Amber! What can I do for you, your highness?"

"Have you seen my father anywhere?"

"He's in Princess Sofia's room, last I heard. Now, if you'll excuse me, I really must get back to work."

"Oh, of course. Thank you."

Despite her politeness, Amber's thoughts were racing as she walked towards Sofia's room. Her sister had gone to Wei Ling with James, right? Did they come back early? But then why would her father be there? Why had she barely seen Baileywick? She'd even seen Cedric less than usual. Did something happen? Was Sofia hurt?

By the time she got to the room, she was thoroughly anxious. She knocked on the door (slightly harder than she meant to) and waited what seemed like an eternity.

Finally, the door opened. Cedric stood there, looking surprised and confused. "Princess Amber? What-"

"Where is my sister?!"

"Please, lower your voice. Sofia is-"

Before he could finish, Amber had ducked past him and run into the room. "Sofia?!"

"Amber?" Roland stood up from the chair beside the bed. "What are you doing here?"

"Well, since nobody is telling me what's going on, I decided to come in and find out myself. Where's Sofia?"

Baileywick stepped forward with a slight frown. "Princess Amber, your sister is in Wei Ling with Prince James and Queen Miranda. Surely someone told you?"

"Of course they told me, but why is everyone in here?!"

The three adults gave each other worried, hesitant looks.

"W-well, Princess Amber," Cedric said finally, "I'll first tell you that your sister is fine. She simply brought home an injured visitor a few days ago, and we've been trying to keep said visitor comfortable.

"Oh." Amber leaned over to see, but she didn't quite get what she was expecting. "Oh!"

"H...hi, your highness?" The girl with her back against the bed's headboard gave a small wave. There were bags under her eyes, her hair was messed up, and she was obviously recovering from a bad sunburn. It was clear she had been crying recently. "My name is Ivy. I'm sorry to cause any concern, I just...well, it's a long story."

Amber sat down next to her on the bed. "What happened?"

Ivy paled.

"Amber", Roland whispered, "we'll explain everything later."

The oldest princess looked into the girl's eyes. Seeing the tears beginning to form, she nodded. "Here, let me brush your hair. It looks like you've been asleep for days."

"Well...I was, I guess." Ivy gave a weak, sort of sad chuckle. "Sofia brought me here and I guess I passed out. I still feel bad for taking her bed."

"Oh, Sofia sleeps on the window seat all the time. She probably told them to put you in her bed." She ran her fingers through the younger girl's hair. "Hm...you were in salt water, weren't you? Your hair is damaged, but I have a shampoo that can help with that. I'm sure it'll look stunning once it's repaired."

"Thank you, Princess Amber," the girl said. "What...what color eyes do you think would work best with my hair? I always thought that green eyes would look best." She blinked and her eyes, previously a stunning silver-gray, turned the most vibrant shade of emerald that Amber had ever seen.

"How..."

"I've always been able to. It's...a sort of talent of mine, I guess." She giggled. "Everyone here pretty much had the same reaction, and I thought Cedric might pass out from shock."

"Green eyes are a classic with auburn hair," Amber admitted, "but every girl with green eyes dyes their hair red nowadays. Gray eyes are much more unique."

Ivy gave a sigh of relief, and her eye color went back to normal. "Good, because I can't hold it for too long when I'm tired."

Amber gave a small hum. "And you would look really nice with a short haircut, as well. It would frame your face perfectly."

"Oh, I need to grow it out for at least a week. It's a. mourning tradition. From where I'm from." She shook her head. "Anyway, you're Sofia's sister, right?"

"Mmhm!"

"And...you've lived in this palace your entire life?"

"Of course, along with my brother. Sofia hasn't, since her mom only married our dad a few years ago, but she knows a lot. So, where did you come from?"

"An island. My dad is...was the chief." She gave a small sigh. "So, Sofia's mom married your dad?"

"Yeah."

"So your mom is...gone?"

Amber nodded.

There was a long silence.

"How did you...you know...deal with it? When it happened?"

"Oh, well...she died when my brother and I were born. We don't remember her."

"So...you don't know how to make it all stop?"

Amber hesitated. "... not that I know of."

Ivy's face flushed, and tears started to stream down her cheeks. It was clear she was embarrassed. "I'm sorry."

"I think that's enough for today, Amber." Roland gestured for her to get up. "Ivy needs her rest, and Sofia and James should be home soon. Don't you want to be there to greet them?"

"I'd rather stay here." Amber put her back against the headboard and her arm around Ivy's shoulder. "If she's staying for more than a couple days, she needs someone to explain things to her."

"Are you sure?" Baileywick asked.

Amber looked over at Ivy. Sitting there, practically hugging her own knees, she looked more tired and emotionally exhausted than anyone she had ever met. Her mind made up, Amber looked back at the adults.

"I'm staying with her."