I did return to the palace, but I found there was nowhere I could bear to sit. I paced through the halls, then wound up returning to gardens and heading deep into the far section as darkness fell.

  There was a pond there, and I sat beside it, my knees pulled to my chest, staring into the twilight sky reflected in the waters. Stars emerged below. If I reached out, I could touch the surface, sending ripples across those distant lights. The water was within reach, but the sky it reflected remained so far away.

  I was so lost in thought that I didn't hear the footsteps approaching until they were nearly upon me. When I turned, Ambassador Raphael stood a few paces away on the garden path.

  "Forgive the intrusion, Your Majesty." he said with a slight bow. "I was taking a late stroll and happened to see you sitting here. It is an unbecoming sight to see a Queen so sorrowful."

  "Is it? Perhaps queens aren't meant to be happy, only useful."

  Raphael took a few steps closer. "Something's troubled you today."

  I laughed. "A world traveler like you could never understand what it means to be the Queen of Magnolia. My life isn't my own - it's given to service. Every day unfolds according to schedule and protocol. Each movement I make is compared to an etiquette guide written centuries ago. Every mistake I make weighs not just on me but on the entire kingdom. I have lived my entire life within these walls, watching a world I have never touched. I present a courtly smile in all weather and throw my desires away for the good of my people. It is selfish of me, but it is tiring."

  I stared at the pond again, watching the first evening star's reflection tremble in its depths. "I wish to see more than distant rooftops."

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  Raphael settled himself on a nearby rock. He positioned himself with one leg propped up, his arm resting casually on his knee, his back partially turned to me as he gazed into the pond. "It's not selfish. It's natural; everyone longs for something they don't have."

  "And what is it that you long for?" I asked.

  "Oddly enough, I would like a place where I no longer have to roam." He ran a hand through his hair, pushing it back from his face. "I've traveled the world, rubbed elbows with all sorts of people - from Roosendrecht engineers to Venetine aristocrats and Rhienfeilli clergy. But it's all so transient, fleeting. My boldness comes from having nothing to lose, but with nothing to lose, what is there to hold?" He picked up a small stone and skipped it across the pond's surface. "It's admirable what you give for your people, but maybe it would be acceptable for you to take a single evening to yourself."

  "What are you suggesting?"

  "I'm not suggesting anything." he said. "Merely observing that even the most dedicated rulers occasionally require a moment's respite from their duties. All humans do."

  My heart began to race. "Would you... Would you help me? See the city, I mean. Just for one night."

  "I cannot make promises, Your Majesty. ... But I will look into the possibility."

  "Really?" I couldn't keep the hope from my voice.

  He nodded slowly. "There are ways for those who know the palace well enough. But discretion would be paramount. Your handmaiden - that squirrely, copper-haired girl, yes?"

  "Elara." I confirmed.

  "I will send word through her if I can find something." he said, rising to his feet. "Now, I believe I've taken enough of Your Majesty's time for one evening. You should return inside; the night air grows chill."

  He bowed formally, but there was a conspiratorial glint in his eye that set my pulse racing. As he walked away down the garden path, I sat frozen for only a moment before leaping to my feet. Energy surged through me - a cocktail of anticipation, fear, and exhilaration that made it impossible to sit still.

  I ran back toward the palace, my shoes slipping on the mossy stones. My mind was already racing ahead, imagining cobblestone streets and tavern songs, the press of crowds and the taste of freedom. I hurried up the stairs to my chambers.

  One evening. That's all I wanted. One night to be more than just a crown.