The next afternoon was calm.
Eliora sat by the window in the room Maya had insisted was hers. She was embroidering a pattern on her handkerchief. The pattern was simple but pretty, small flowers curling around the edge.
Ria leaned over her shoulder.
"My lady," she whispered. "You made this?"
Eliora smiled a little without looking up. "Ria, I'm still making it."
Luna came closer too. "This is beautiful. You never told us you could embroider."
Eliora shrugged. "My mother taught me when I was little. It calmed her when business was slow at the bakery… so she taught me to pass time."
Ria touched the edge carefully. "You're very good."
Eliora laughed. "It's just practice."
"No, truly," Luna said. "You should gift one to someone. These are the kind of things people keep forever."
Ria gasped suddenly. "My birthday!"
Both Eliora and Luna looked at her.
Ria clasped her hands dramatically. "My lady, please make me one for my birthday. I'll treasure it for life, I swear."
