In the evening, Joanna helped Eilika dress in a gown of deep red velvet.
"The Duke visited while you were resting after the archery match," Joanna mentioned softly, her hands steady as she began to comb through Eilika's hair. "But before he could speak with you, you were already deep in sleep. Are you upset with His Grace, Your Highness?"
"I was simply tired, so I decided to rest," Eilika answered.
She kept her gaze fixed on her reflection, hiding the fact that her sudden slumber had been as much a retreat from her frustration as it was from exhaustion.
Joanna fell quiet, sensing the tension, and focused on her work. When the hair was finally styled into an elegant arrangement, Joanna fastened a necklace of gold and diamonds around Eilika's neck, followed by the matching earrings. The delicate curls left at her temples softened her features, while the careful application of makeup completely obscured the scar on her cheek.
