[center][h1][b][color=DAF6C7]Ríoghnach "Riona"[/color][/b][/h1][color=DAF6C7]Time:[/color] 6PM
[color=DAF6C7]Location:[/color] Guest House Dining Room
[color=DAF6C7]Interaction(s):[/color] Mayet [@13org]; Leo [@Helo]; Charlotte & Raif [@princess][/center]
Tension-laden seconds inched forward with an excruciating sluggishness. Riona found herself trapped in an anxious limbo, waiting for the pivotal juncture when the Shehzadi would expose her as Reohg Knock. To her great relief, those seconds glided past without incident, releasing her from the grip of anxiety that held her captive.

[i][color=d3c28b]"You are... different from these people, aren't you? Not only the other servants, but the Caesonian nobles as well."[/color][/i] 

Was she? Riona’s gaze swept across the room, taking in each servant and Caesonian nobility until her eyes finally came to rest on Prince Auguste. The answer came to her effortlessly. [color=DAF6C7]“Hardly.”[/color] She murmured, [color=DAF6C7]“Sometimes I wish I was… then things might have played out differently.”[/color] She was as guilty as they were, and she knew her excuses of powerlessness and inopportune timing only went so far.

[color=d3c28b]"Don't hesitate in approaching me in case you need something or want to tell me something."[/color]

When Shehzadi Mayet broached the idea of accompanying her back to Alidasht, Riona brushed it off as a passing fancy. It sounded like the sort of proposition people tossed around without thinking, much like the one Shahzade Munir made about sending his personal clothier to her. Such fleeting remarks were sparked by the thrill of finding something shiny new, only to be dropped and forgotten once the novelty lost its luster. For some reason, this time, Riona was still shiny enough for this Shehzadi to be willing to meet the maid outside of work.

[i][color=d3c28b]"...in case you need something..."[/color] SNAP![/i]

[color=cfa36d]“Young miss,”[/color] the Sultan said, [color=cfa36d]“Please make sure Lord Smithwood gets something to drink and feel free to help yourself to some as well.”[/color]

The maid dipped her head and pivoted on her heel. [color=DAF6C7]“Your tutelage,”[/color] she breathed, her voice a whisper that brushed against the air surrounding Shehzadi Mayet.

The cup placed in front of the Varian Lordling barely held enough beverage to moisten a parched throat. Nevertheless, Riona had given the man a drink as the Sultan requested. [color=DAF6C7]“Should you desire more,”[/color] she stared down at him with her dark eyes, [color=DAF6C7]“all you need to do is [i]ask,[/i] milord.”[/color] She only broke eye contact because the jolt from his neighbor forced her to redirect her attention.

Lady Charlotte sprang upright from her seat, on the verge of tears and ready to run out the doors. Lost in her distress, she didn’t realize that Riona could hear her say, [color=BBC7E1]"...I'm uncertain if I can endure this... Should I excuse myself momentarily or would that make it worse?"[/color] 

Visions of the ebony-haired child crying in a dim room, far away from the adults, flashed across her mind. His body convulsed uncontrollably while he swallowed his sobs, desperate to remain unheard. Ríoghnach’s tiny hands rubbed his trembling back as she told him what her parents told her. [color=DAF6C7]“It’s okay to run to fight another day.”[/color] Riona didn’t realize she spoke aloud as she knelt down to press a handkerchief into Lady Charlotte’s hands. [color=DAF6C7]“A tactical retreat holds merit, My Lady.”[/color] 

She performed a slight bow and stepped back just in time to catch a glimpse of Shehzadi Layla’s facial expression. Riona frowned in thought, her fingers rubbing the brooch adorning her neck. She then resumed her retreat to the sequestered corner, where the rest of the servants huddled together.

After dumping an assortment of random ingredients available into a tinted bottle, Riona gave it a good shake. For extra measure, she labeled it so that it wouldn’t get mixed up with any other bottle. Satisfied with her clandestine creation, the maid faced her fellow servants. [color=DAF6C7]“If Lord Smithwood doesn’t say ‘please’ when he orders refreshments, serve him this, will you?”[/color] The servants gave her puzzled looks. [color=DAF6C7]“It’s code.”[/color] Riona said, which elicited a chorus of whispered [i]ahh[/i]s and nods of understanding.

[color=DAF6C7]“If he complains, just say it was me. I sometimes forget what the secret word and drink of the day are.”[/color]