Shortly after the King and Queen had retired, Arshalous, with a courtly (almost mocking bow) to her cousin, had slipped from the court, mounted her horse, and had trotted back to her own palace.
Collapsing onto the bed, she stared fixedly at the ceiling...staring at the mosaics that glimmered softly in the candle light. It showed details of King Faroz's father -- the man that had stepped from the musty pages of ancient myths and legends to rule with wisdom in Pashtia. He had been before her time, yet her own father (long dead from wars) had loved his king...Arshalous wondered if the King had done well in letting his children decide. Besides the obvious fact that they were as sunlight and moonlight, was it wise have let them decide on something so....weight as this alliance?
And then the Queen had come to their table to speak with Lady Hababa...Arshalous flinched as guilt pricked her. Nobody comes to see me anymore... The words echoed in her mind and she wished that she could stop remembering the wistful lines that creased Aunt Hababa's pale cheeks, the limpid eyes that had glanced sadly at herself...the Queen herself had promised to make time while her schedule allowed it...yet she could not be bothered to come, prefering the company of books to her aunt?
She rolled onto her stomach and clutched a scarlet cushion. Was it she who had scathingly denounced the shallow ways of courts, the giggling gaggles of girls who cared only for the current gossip, the courtiers of Korka's ilk that only strived to impress...how was she any better than them? Was it because she thought that she was wise and clever? How was she any different when all she cared about was her books and riling her cousin?
She curled into a tight ball and shivered, then sneezed. Her throat was sore...and she suspected that she had caught herself a small sickness. Semra padded softly in, tucking two warmed flat stones between the blankets at the foot of Arshalous's bed. "Is there anything wrong, my Lady? You look sad...distressed and thoughtful..." she added tentatively.
"Nothing is wrong," she said softly. "Go to bed and get some rest, Semra..."
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