Before leaving, Ruby pulled two fruit candies from her little skirt pocket and placed them in his hand. Her sweet, childish voice offered a soft blessing.
"I hope you get better soon. I have to go now. I need to find my brother."
Almer watched the tiny figure leave before dropping his gaze to the two candies in his palm.
"Such a good little cub. Can I just steal her away?" he wondered. "I'll have to ask my knights when I get back."
A smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. He slipped the candies into his pocket and left the greenhouse, returning to the white pavilion.
"Your Majesty, if you hadn't returned soon, we would have come looking for you." The approaching Knight Commander placed a hand over his chest and bowed.
"What, do you think someone's going to assassinate me?" Almer joked.
"Your Majesty, please do not make such jests."
