[center][h1]Lady Safina Haliel[/h1][/center]

Unfortunately for Elysabeth, she would be left waiting until nightfall. By the time she took dinner in private, a hand would reach out while she dined, pouring wine from a carafe into the Countess's goblet.

[b]"I see everyone has decided to take a leave of absence. Had I known, I would have taken a detour until Her Majesty's return."[/b] Safina mused, setting the carafe down and striding over to sit down in the seat next to Elysabeth's while clad in her noble guise's usual finery.

[b]"Reporting back. Is Her Majesty afield? What is our current situation?"[/b]

What went unsaid was the pointed look Safina gave Elysabeth. Ruling a kingdom from the shadows, for however long until Evelyn or that young ponce Vulluin returned, had never been supposed to be in the cards for Safina. She led only one thing: her own people. Could Elysabeth handle things here without Safina's intervention?