Ophelia had changed into three different dresses before finally moving on to combing her hair. It wasn’t out of vanity; it was simply that she didn’t like the way some of the dresses felt on her skin. It was one of several little nervous habits she’d secretly adopted but was too busy to be concerned by. Her maid was patient with her and assisted with each dressing without comment.

Finally, Ophelia emerged in a modest gown of Nevermearan silver. She looked rather like Kennet, she thought—with dangling earrings and a clean, modest cut. More of a woman, less of the girl she sometimes still felt she was.

Ophelia was looking forward to meeting Valeria. Having been in Arynn Frey so long, if she’d met Valeria before she’d most certainly forgotten. But Ophelia had every reason to believe they’d get along swimmingly. She was from a good family with a solid reputation, and her record in the military was spotless. The princess wasn’t entirely certain what she hoped to find in Valeria. A friend, perhaps. A companion. For without Akagi, even in her own kingdom, she felt ever so alone.

When Valeria arrived, Ophelia stood and returned Valeria’s curtsy with a slight nod and a bright smile. “Quite well, thank you, please—” Ophelia motioned to a chair. She’d sit, indicating to the servant they were ready for their tea.

“I was so pleased to hear from your father. Plenty of women in the military, but not near enough of us at court. I’m sure it wasn’t easy to give up the sword, but I am glad to have you.” This was what Ophelia did best. The gracious hostess. Nevermere’s darling daughter.

Valeria was, so far, everything she’d bee promised to be. Ophelia was pleased. She assumed Valeria would not sit until the princess did, so, not wanting the heavily pregnant to be on her feet longer than absolutely necessary, Ophelia took her place at the table without delay. She smiled at Valeria, seeing in her a vision of a woman she’d been not too long ago.

“How are you feeling?” Ophelia asked as the servant came to the table with tea which she began to pour, “Motherhood is one of life’s greatest gifts, yet also one of its greatest frustrations.” She teased, but there was a deeper undercurrent to her words. For her, motherhood was still quite a peril.

Ophelia smiled, chuckling a little. The question triggered a twinge of guilt that tightened her chest. Ophelia presented the image that was expected of her; the graceful princess, the patient mother. But she knew that behind closed doors she came up short. She cared for her children but had long suspected she did not love them the way other mothers did. There was a secret seed of resentment that had grown roots, resentment for what they’d cost her body and mind to bear.

“To savor the little things,” Ophelia said warmly, taking a sip of her tea, “The fleeting moments will be the most precious in hindsight. No doubt the nursemaids will do most of the work—as they ought—but don’t forfeit all the little pleasures of motherhood to them.”

Ophelia listened. The girl’s bright-eyed idealism was a welcome, soothing balm to her own anxious disposition. Oh to have that view of the world; one so happy, so bright. Though she’d come to love Akagi, that was not the foundation on which their marriage had been built. It had been duty, responsibility, and the wishes of her king. What Valeria had was quite the luxury indeed.

“How perfectly wonderful,” Ophelia said, continuing to sip her tea, “Those are the kinds of memories that will help you weather the storms. Cherish them.”

Happiness radiated from the girl who seemed so much younger than herself—though Ophelia knew she was not. The princess smiled and sipped her tea, politely going through the motions she’d been trained to perform. At the mention of Akagi, Ophelia smiled—again, in the mechanics of presentationalism that were so ingrained in her she hardly had to think of them.

“Ever the busy servant of his family and kingdom,” Ophelia said warmly, “My recent stay in Nevermere has put us apart for a time now, but he knows I have obligations here just as he does in Arynn Frey.”