Of all the people in the palace, she had whom Ozragad had least expected to appear through the double doors of the council chamber. The King's golden eyes widened in surprise. He had given specific orders confine her to her to her rooms had he not? How had she come to be here? Had she escaped? No, someone must have countermanded his orders, but who? It did not take long for the culprit to reveal himself. Manawyndan stepped out of the shadows beyond the doorway and positioned himself at the far end of the hall, behind the Princess.

The King's face grew grave, set with a frown. He felt his mouth opening, a harsh rebuke forming on his lips for both the Princess and his Steward for defying his orders. He had sent Manawyndan with the attention of avoiding this exact situation. [color=f7941d][i]How dare he spring a trap upon me like this![/i][/color] But, no. He stilled his tongue, straightened his expression. He would have words with Manawyndan later, once the Princess was safely out of earshot.

He let her bow. She was being polite, deferential even. That was another surprise. He had been expecting more fire, more anger. Had it worked? Had he scared her into submission? Or had Manawyndan coerced her into cooperating somehow? He glanced down at his hand, the one that had wrapped around her throat so easily only a few days before. It was clenched so tightly. He let it loosen, and raised it, bidding her up from her supplication. If she had seen reason, then was no need for any further... cruelty. 

[b][color=f7941d]"I... I had not expected to see you so soon, Princess."[/color][/b] Ozragad glanced at his Steward as he spoke, but his eyes quickly flicked back to settle on the Princess. [b][color=f7941d]"But this is as good a time as any other. Sit."[/color][/b] He gestured towards the seat at the opposite end of the long table.