Cassian wasn’t yet asleep, but he was dressed for bed. A guard rapped gently on his door and murmured,

“Lady Norah Carter on an urgent matter, my king.” Cassian rose from his bed and slipped on the ever-waiting robe of deep blue. Everything else about him was as put together as ever.

He stepped out from his door and consciously stilled his wondering. No point in jumping to conclusions or being anxious. She would tell him her business shortly.

He dipped his head and then waited in silence, clearly intending to have this discussion in the hall.

Norah waited patiently, or seemingly so. Her skin more tanned than before thanks to the Cambria sun, her hair a lighter shade of brown because of the same reason. But she still held herself as she always did. Upon seeing Cassian, making his way to her in his robe, she curtsied low. “Forgive me for intruding at such an hour,” she’d say one he bid her to rise.

“But I just came from a Lord Pyetr’s estate… from an event he was holding.” She held his gaze for just a small pause before she pressed on. “Are you aware of what he is doing with Isolde?”

Cassian raised a hand to release her from her bow and then examined her as she spoke. She came to him urgently from Lord Pyetr's estate. Not Cambria. That was relieving and confusing, knowing she was spending what little time she had in Nevermere attending social gatherings of apparent irrlelevance. He would have thought her time would be spent with family or making reports at the castle. Nevermind, it was hardly the issue at hand.

"I am aware that Isolde is in his care." Cassian returned, his tone expectant that she would disclose what she had discovered.

With no family she cared to visit except her brother, she felt her time in Nevermere was spent well between gathering supplies she needed here and keeping her voice and name relevant. To try and keep the support strong for keeping Cambria a part of them. Norah stepped closer to Cassian, as if she needed to ensure her voice wasn’t carrying.

So used to prying ears of Cambria… “Are you aware he is hosting parties with her being used as entertainment? Inviting nobles to watch as he has her parade around like an theatre actress?” Disapproval was all over Norah’s tone and face. “I can assure you that many noble families were there tonight, and when I demanded the display to end, he refused.” Cassian had trusted she be the ambassador of Nevermere… and though she was focused on the people of Cambria… “If even one Cambrian hears of this, hears the gossip of how she is being treated, regardless of her crimes… I fear it would only cause that rebellion to double down… to possibly find new members at the treatment she is receiving. If she is being forced to learn how to act out plays… what else is happening behind the doors at Beldam?”

Cassian listened, as unmoved as always. It would take something very personal to shake his demeanor, and even then likely only in the presence of someone he trusted explicitly. Norah was loyal, yes, but in all her years in Cambria as the Minister of Foreign affairs she had yet to accomplish much of anything. The Cambrians didn’t trust her. She didn’t have influence with them. There was a rebellion, though the extent of it he was unaware of due to lack of reports. He trusted her, in a sense, but she didn’t hold a seat greater than others.

“Lord Petyr has not yet given me reason to question his tactics.” Perhaps he had a reason now, but Cassian was not about to pick sides in this one-sided conversation. “His methods, however distasteful to some, have worked in restoring many of this kingdom. As for Isolde specifically, I will assess his progress with her.” Cassian knew the man’s reputation well enough to know that no Cambrian supporters would be in his company. At this rate, if word got back to Cambria, the likely culprit would be Norah.

Had she known of the doubts, she would have argued that she had made improvements. She had been the ground work in finding out about the brandings. Isolde wouldn’t be here if she hadn’t. Just because she didn’t walk her back to Nevermere herself, didn’t mean she hadn’t done things there. More were agreeable withinthe proud woman than not. And the rebellion has quieted. Though it was not forgotten as she still moved forward in watching over Cambria, as well as guiding the Governor there who was unsure in her appointed role. Not that any of that crossed her lips.

But she didn’t know the doubts.

Her face betrayed her for all of a few moments. Surprise. Disbelief. Though the last one was wrangled before it flickered across her face and she shoved it back. ‘ I should have thought of the delicate sensibilities of our female accessories before bringing out such a disturbing display.’ Surely it was just too fresh in her mind… Norah was not some sensitive, emotional woman. She squared her shoulders.

“Knowing the attendees I saw there, it takes just one Cambrian ear to catch wind… and everything we have been settling down since her arrest could go up in flames.” She said it so softly, but her eyes steady on him. How things once might have been so different for the two of them, but perhaps it was best. “Forgive me for disturbing you. I know you will have the proper follow up.” Not a jab, an honest comment as she curtsied low. She felt no shame in her actions.

Cassian didn’t have doubts. Not holding unquestionable trust in someone and having doubts were very different things. He knew Norah was loyal.

“I will trust that if something gets back to Cambria you will be there and vigilant. Moving forward, your visits to Nevermere will decrease. Let your presence in Cambria be potently felt.” He nodded his dismissal of her. Indeed, there was a time that things might have been very different…but Carter had gotten pregnant. Then he had become regent of Lorendale and seen an opportunity with Iliana. At the end of the day, no matter how attractive or competent, every decision he made was for Nevermere. Even this, though Norah seemed personally invested and unable to see the end goal that he did. It didn’t matter. He had something to look into now, and she had a job to return to.