Sioni’s eyes opened slowly, as though something were weighing them down. She was in a soft bed, with a warm coverlet over her. A fire crackled not far away, but the room was very dim. Someone moved to her left, and she turned.

A young woman, with long black hair and pretty gray eyes, had dropped a bowl of water. “Oh, clumsy me…” she muttered to herself. She looked up and met Sioni’s eyes with a yelp. “You’re awake! How wonderful! The prince will be glad…” She stopped, looked thoughtful.

“Alfred? He’s here?” Sioni bolted upright, everything swirled around her.

“Oh, do be careful!” The girl rushed to her side, “You’ve had an awful shock. You must rest.” The girl helped her lay back down against downy pillows, “I’m Helen, a maid here. I’m supposed to take care of you, ‘til the prince’s return.” She turned away.

“Returns… where?” Sioni’s eyes closed.
——-

Malvolia smiled, stroked her black hair, the disguise worked.

“To get the girl from the ball, of course,” She sneered, “The one he loves.”