Rowena stared at her governess and didn't know what to say at first. She didn't think that Lady Liz would be so concerned about her and head here in the room and wait for her. Now it made sense why the older woman visited the kitchen earlier. 

This sudden act of Lady Liz actually made Rowena feel a bit closer to her.

If Lady Liz remained mean and arrogant throughout these years, Rowena would have easily lied. However, now she felt a bit guilty. The older woman seemed genuinely caring now.

What could she do?

"I…" Rowena cleared her throat and averted her gaze. She pretended to brush away some tears from her eyes, which actually did sting when the guard from earlier pulled her hair, it had hurt.

"Your Highness, please do not hesitate to confess your worries and vent with me," Lady Liz softly said. "Even though I cannot help you with the situation with that thief, know that I am your trusted confidant."

Rowena smiled weakly.

"I went outside to catch some fresh breath of air." She clutched her hands over chest and hunched her shoulders. "I didn't want to be cooped up here and cry about things that were beyond my control. I only pray that the benevolent gods take care of him."

"I see." Lady Liz sighed softly. "There truly are things that we cannot control, Your Highness. Though I hope you do not hold it too much against His Majesty. Please understand that it was all done for your sake and benefit."

Rowena pursed her lips together, but didn't say a word and only silently nodded.

It didn't feel that way… she didn't feel her father's love at all.

Lady Liz eventually patted one of the chairs. "Well, please come sit down with me and have some tea, Your Highness. Although, I'm afraid that the tea in your cup has become cold. I will remedy that."

Rowena knew that when the news of Julian escaping the castle happened, Lady Liz might have the ability to put two and two together and figure out where she really had gone. It seemed like the foolproof plan she had still wasn't enough.

But who would actually expect that the crown princess would act for a mere thief? She hoped Lady Liz bought that pitiful act she made. People were often moved by a woman's tears and this was actually taught by Lady Liz herself.

Who knew that Rowena would find some use for it against her?

"Thank you so much," Rowena sniffed once then shuffled down to her seat. She anxiously looked up at the lady who poured down a fresh cup of hot tea.

"I simply serve and educate you, Your Highness." Lady Liz offered her the cup. "No need to thank me."

"You taught me my manners, Lady Liz." Rowena smiled.

"That much is true. Notwithstanding that, I do wish that you'd told me your whereabouts because if you hadn't returned within the last hour or so, I was afraid that something happened to you. I was afraid that I'd need to call for the knights again."

"Something happening in this very castle guarded and heavily fortificated?"

"After the incident yesterday, it was quite a fright." Lady Liz smiled tiredly. It wasn't obvious, but her eyes were a bit swollen after crying so much last night. "Please, if you wish to leave your room, take me with you."

Rowena considered her options at the moment. Was it better to foster more closeness with Lady Liz in hopes to ease her spirits or be aloof so as to not show her guilt? 

Distance with another person also made sure that the incident with Leia wouldn't occur again.

Rowena had saved Julian, but she had no way of knowing what the king might do with Lady Liz and the others. Surely King Draco, her father, wasn't so unreasonable to blame others for the thief's escape, was he?

Rowena clutched the teacup in her hand and raised a brow. "Must I really tell you all my whereabouts when we're in the castle, Lady Liz? It's completely safe here and no one will even touch a single strand of my hair lest they be punished by the king."

"I apologize, Your Highness. I didn't mean to intrude on your decisions but the danger…" 

"It's alright, Lady Liz." Rowena comforted her. "There's nothing for you to be afraid of, although I would appreciate it if you don't bring this up again. All I wish for is to forget this day and not have it as an unpleasant memory."

"Oh, of course!" Lady Liz straightened and realized that she had been too focused on the negatives. She smiled at Rowena. "Which reminds me, this pouch from that old man… it's here with me."

"Thank you." Rowena happily accepted it.

The two of them soon engaged in chitchat for the past hour until Rowena was satisfied that Lady Liz was not going to be the problem. The older woman was more than happy to forget about the incident and pretend everything was fine.

On the other hand, Rowena did her best to hide the anxiety in her chest when she thought of Julian being recaptured again.

Fortunately, Lucent fluttered in her chambers and nuzzled Rowena. Paired with tea, desserts and her beautiful friend, it eased the tension that formed in the pit of her stomach as she tried to think of other things.

However, Rowena was still concerned about the situation.

If it wasn't Lady Liz who'd figure it out, Rowena knew that her father was no fool and might presume that someone allowed the thief to escape the dungeons if it was not done by the merit of the boy alone. 

Rowena hoped that the man underestimated her. After all, for the past years, Rowena had been nothing more but a trophy paraded by him. She was seen as nothing more but a beautiful and fragile doll.

The perfect epitome of a princess.

She wasn't allowed to do any activity that might injure her. Even the act of needlework, which was a hobby of some ladies, was disallowed, so Rowena didn't seem formidable at all.

When Rowena finally finished her cupcake, the expected happened.

The palace descended into an uproar.

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