Yana couldn't shy or ignore social obligations, it wasn't in the Zak blood nor would Yana anyways. The cottage of Annabeth's wasn't far and with some help she brought a small dry cake from the market and probably one of the last bouquets of the previous season, the cold would soon claim the rest until the spring.

Leaving Graydust tied to a hitchpost Yana approached the door of the cottage, cake in one hand and flowers in the other, she wore a set black riding gear and with a pink single bow tying her hair into a knot a top her head. She wrapped the door with the back of her flower hand. Annabeth was five years older than Yana but she could recall the trial, what the woman had faced and who. Yana had been young when that happened away from the palace at Birkhall with her family, but after the exodus of the Eldouir Yana had been allowed to help doing various things from helping medics, cleaning, and quiet solace to people who had lost loved ones.

Also who knows maybe Annabeth knew a single unattached man who was more so not about marriage without some courting and zero interest in children until she was as old as Helena Kane? Maybe? The world wasn't so small after all.

Yana dipped her respectively at the maid and with a quick boot drag across the welcome mat Yana followed. When Annabeth greeted Yana the younger woman returned the gestures with a small smile, "Thank you for the invitation my lady, I've brought a cake and these are for you," she offered the cake to the maid and the flowers to Annabeth, "I haven't been up this way for some time, it is good to see familiar faces."

Yana removed her riding gloves and folded them in her lap as she sat. Mouse would call for the attention of the cat, "Tea is fine," the cat stopped to stretch just out of reach but Yana remained vigilant to pet the cat, "I love your cottage, simple. Substantial."

Yana silently agreed with a nod as she scooped sugar into her tea, despite having been raised in one of the wealthiest families (Royalt excluded of course) she was use to lavish things. However she liked simplistic, Yana took nothing for granted.

"A few days, I've been in Ladale towards the south of Loren for a few years serving the Kane Troops," Yana replied stirring her tea, "I'm back because of orders and family obligations," which warranted nervous laughter and a half smile, "Marriage."

"I really don't want a man," Yana admitted easily enough, it was girl talk at least which touched a small hidden part of Yana to get to do so, she shrugged, "Marriage in these times? All the hatred and discontent between gifted and non-gifted? It isn't as high on my list as it is for my parents but," Yana sighed, "Family duty and all."

Yana was so afraid of children she almost stiffened at the thought of them and if they had been discussing her own she might have shook right down in her boots, it was the children part of marriage that scared Yana the most.

When Annabeth asked what she wanted Yana didn't hesitate, "To remain unmarried and die a very old lady with lots of cats with a honorable service to the Crown," and she was serious as a viper with zero room for anyone to think she was kidding.

"Everyone serves indirectly no matter their path Annabeth," Yana responded, "And in times like these, the path of service isn't for our royals to sort and the strength of her pledged armies. I wouldn't go poking my head out of the rabbit hole when the farmer stalks the fields," she wasn't being mean if anything she was being honest and caring. Normal citizens, noble or not, were at risk with the Gifted threat.

"Staying here for your daughter is still something, staying alive," Yana took her tea with two sugars, "I'm nervous, I won't lie, we're powerless but we have hope."