“It is magnificent. I have been there many times, and I will admit—it is bright. Some say it is the moment of their lives, to see it. I would not know. I grew up there.”

“As a [Princess].”

Seraphel looked up and a current ran from her to Cara.

“Yes. I didn’t choose that life, but I will admit—it is mine.”

“Do you want to go back? It sounds wonderful, Your Highness. Better than…”

Sasi whispered, looking around the drab room. Seraphel looked at the grey skies, filled with smoke and burning undead. She didn’t reply at once. When she did, it was with a glance at Cara.

“No.”

“Really?”

Culin was patently incredulous. Seraphel shrugged.

“One does not find where they grew up as special as where they go, I suppose, Lord Culin. I would rather…do something else. Practice singing, perhaps. That’s quite pleasing, if I could gain a Skill like Miss Cara.”

“Really?”

Cara blinked. Seraphel met her gaze.

“Well and truly. I have traveled quite far among Terandria; I do not cling to places. I would rather have something that I could take with me. Alas—my only Skill, as my sisters would remind me, is my sharp tongue. Seraphel the Dutiful is my title as [Princess]. Dutiful. Hardly much to remark upon.”

She smiled wryly. Cara saw her expression turn so weary for a second it was nostalgic. Then—Seraphel smoothed her dress.

“Perhaps you could teach me.”

“Would that be acceptable? To sing for a [Princess], I mean?”

Seraphel raised her brows.

“A [Princess] never sings in public except for national anthems. Privately I believe I can sing what I may?”

Cara had to grin and Seraphel returned it, then gestured at her throat awkwardly.

“It is just—I cannot match the cadence. Terandrian songs, you know, are very…slow? Patriotic. I am more used to singing in chorus.”

“Oh, do you know any vocal warmups? Tongue twisters?”

“Mm…a few. The curious cat certain of Creler-carrying Couriers quickly carried her catch clear?”

“Not bad. How about…Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers? A peck of pickled peppers did Peter pick.”

“How intriguing. Do you have many [Pipers] at your home, Cara?”

“Only the ones who charm rats by playing a flute.”

“Dead gods, are those charlatans still around?”

Culin and Sasi’s heads turned back and forth between the two, like they were watching a slow exchange in a tennis match. Seraphel and Cara studied each other, and Cara hesitated.

——

By the time Lord Lantal and Lady Risel entered, the two were quietly singing in harmony. Sasi and Culin—less so, but enough so that they were barely audible throughout the hallway outside the private rooms.

The rest of the keep was silent. Here though—

Cara and Seraphel stopped singing when the door opened, but the [Lord] and [Lady] were smiling wearily.

“Do not stop on our accounts, Miss Cara. Thank you for entertaining the children.”