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"You want me to do what?" Sia stared at her, trying to process Margaret's odd request.
"Just for a bit! Come on, Sia, don't be all Child of the Gates on me. Surely you're allowed to visit my room. As a friend!" Margaret wheedled, tugging her arm. Sia glanced around the hallway nervously. The torches were burning low, and no one else was near them.
"Your highness, I- is this strictly necessary? I don't want to bother you, and-"
"It's fine, Traveler! I'm the one who's asking, after all. Don't forget, as the princess I can just tell you to come hang out with me for the afternoon." Margaret laughed at Sia's expression. "You know I'm right." Sia sighed.
"I- okay."
Margaret grinned and took Sia's hand to pull her away. She rolled her eyes but followed behind, silently praying Margaret didn't notice the blush dusting her face. Sia couldn't force her smile away as Margaret opened the door to her room and pulled her inside.
Sia's eyes widened as she stepped in. The room was beautiful, shelves full of books lining the walls and enormous windows stretching from floor to ceiling. The table and bed were covered in scrolls and various knickknacks that were practically spilling onto the floor. Margaret caught Sia's wonderment and smiled. "Well, what do you think? I apologise for the mess, I wasn't expecting company."
"You make it sound like this was my idea, Princess." Margaret laughed. "But yes, it's lovely. I can tidy up a bit, if you'd like…"
Margaret sighed dramatically. "Oh, Sia. Always thinking of me. You're my guest, I would never make you do such a trivial thing as cleaning my room. I can do that later! For now, why don't you find some books you'd like to read?" Sia glanced back at Margaret from where she had been eyeing the stacked shelves.
"May I?" Margaret gestured to the books with a theatrical sweep, and Sia barely held back a laugh. She made her way over and began inspecting Margaret's collection while the princess watched from her bed. "Oh, these are lovely! Cunitz, Homer, and such pretty bindings, scientific texts…"
"I think this is the most I've heard you talk for the entire year you've been here," Margaret said half an hour later. "I have to say, I'm quite enjoying it." Sia looked up at her with wide eyes from where she was sitting with a pile of books on the floor. She was halfway through a lengthy tome of astrology charts, but quickly tugged a pin out of her hair to mark the page and close the book. They had been talking about everything and anything that came to mind, laughing together, and Margaret was happier than she had been in ages.
"Oh, I- I'm sorry, I didn't mean to talk so much, your highness, I should probably go now…" Sia trailed off as Margaret frowned.
"Do you want to leave?"
What kind of question was that? Of course Sia didn't want to leave, but Margaret was the princess, and-
And what?
"Well… no. I want to stay, but it's getting late and it would be- improper. I didn't mean to keep you up, I'll go now." Sia began reshelving books and was about to head for the door when Margaret caught her hand.
Sia turned around as Margaret bit her lip, looking more nervous then Sia had ever seen her. "You don't have to go. You can, um, help me clean up a bit?" Sia caught the look in her eye and understood what she was trying to do.
"O-oh. Yes, of course. I'd love to." Margaret smiled and brushed a quick kiss on her hand, then walked back to her bed as quickly as she could to hide the blush on her face. Sia was frozen for a moment with her hand still in the air. She shoved her thoughts out of her head and followed Margaret to her untidy bed, beginning to sort scrolls into neat piles.
What on earth am I doing? Margaret wondered to herself as she helped Sia make the bed. They had fallen into a comfortable rhythm of passing each other objects to put away, with Sia occasionally asking where something went. She had no idea why she was trying so hard to make Sia stay- or even why she wanted Sia to stay so badly. The radiance in her core would stir whenever Sia tried to stray towards the door, as if it somehow knew Margaret's heart.
And what does my heart say?
Margaret jerked back to attention as she felt Sia's hand on her shoulder. "Princess, I think we're finished." She looked up to see that her room was spotless- probably neater than it ever had been, if she was being honest. Margaret shook herself out of her thoughts and managed to nod.
"Yes, I… thank you."
The two fell into an awkward silence as Sia fidgeted, unsure of what to say. "Do you, uh, need help with anything else? Just- you know- if you want…" Margaret blinked. She wants to stay?
"Oh! Well, if you're sure… do you want to help me out of this awful thing? " She gestured to her long dress, fiddling with the clasp of the skirt. Margaret couldn't hold back a smile as she watched Sia's mind blank for a moment before she tried to speak and stuttered over her words. Sia took a deep breath, composed herself, and matched Margaret's smile.
"I would love to."
Sia reached over to gently unbutton Margaret's dress and offered her hand, giving her a little bow. Margaret laughed and took it. She stepped out of the swathes of fabric and busied herself with folding it neatly to hide her blush, although she was sure Sia had noticed. Margaret realised that she didn't mind. She set her dress to the side and smoothed out the thin gown she was wearing beneath it before looking up to meet Sia's eyes. Sia went bright red and tried to cast her gaze literally anywhere else, which was quite cute.
Don't get ahead of yourself, Mags.
"Do you want me to help with your hair?" Sia was eyeing her nervously, like she half expected Margaret to tell her to leave, but her offer was well received. Margaret nodded and sat down, letting Sia begin removing pins from her fancy updo. "Forgive me for asking, but don't you have… I don't know, attendants to do this for you? Isn't this someone's job?"
Margaret shrugged. "Well, no. My father doesn't employ many people to work in the palace, so I'm on my own." She glanced in the mirror in front of her, watching Sia work. It was almost hypnotizing, the way she seemed completely focused on the task at hand, the way she carefully detangled strands of hair from impossible snarls, the way she stuck her tongue to the side of her mouth… Margaret could watch her all day. "It could be your job, though."
The fingers in her hair went still. "I… sorry, what?"
"Oh- well, if you wanted. I mean, as my Traveler, your duty is to serve the crown, right? To keep me safe?"
"Your highness, I think the responsibilities of being your Traveler don't extend to me visiting your bedroom regularly."
Sia's hands had resumed their task now, albeit a bit shakier then before. "But… well, if you wanted me to… that is to say… I think I would be okay with doing this more often." She caught Margaret's delighted look in the mirror and rolled her eyes. "That doesn't mean I should be doing this! It's most improper, Princess, and you know it." Sia pulled the final pin out of Margaret's hair and let it fall down her back in a tangled curtain. She took a brush from the table and began working her way through the mess of curls.
"If it makes you happy, I don't care how improper it is." Even though she tried to hide it, Margaret grinned as she heard Sia's breath hitch. "I mean… does this make you happy? Being here with me?"
There was a long pause as Sia dragged the brush through Margaret's hair. "…Yes. It does." She set the brush down and stood there for a moment, fiddling with the strands of hair in her hands. "Do you want me to braid it back for you?"
"That would be lovely, Sia."
Margaret hummed to herself as Sia pulled her hair back and began braiding, some fancy twist she didn't recognize. It felt wonderful, those magic-scarred fingers sliding along her head and down her back. She smiled softly at the memory of her mother doing the same thing, barely a year ago. On the morning of her birthday. The queen had kissed her head as she fixed a ribbon in her hair, and Margaret had never felt so loved.
Until now.
It took her a moment to realise that Sia was humming along with her. The melody was unfamiliar, but it was clear and haunting and beautiful. A few minutes later, Sia tied the braid off and stepped back to let Margaret admire her work. "It's so pretty! You really must teach me how to do that. Thank you, my Traveler."
Sia gave her an awkward smile. "Of course." Margaret stood and, without pausing to think, took Sia's hands. She froze and stared at her with wide eyes. Margaret realised a moment too late that she didn't really have a reason to be holding Sia's hands other then the fact that, well, she wanted to. They didn't move for a long moment.
"I- um. Your highness, it's getting late. I… I really should go now."
Margaret snapped back to attention. "Oh! Yes, you're right, sorry." She let go of Sia's hands and stepped back quickly. "It was good to get to talk to you more. I've known you for a while, but we haven't had much time to properly talk- with all that's happened, and well… this was nice."
Sia's blush was adorable. "Y-yes, this… this was lovely. I'll see you tomorrow, your highness." Margaret watched Sia head for the door. She looked back to her nightstand, and an idea popped into her head.
"Wait! Here, Sia. Take this." Margaret placed a thin golden chain in Sia's hand carefully. Sia glanced down in surprise, holding it up to reveal a small pendant in the shape of a flower. "It would look beautiful on you."
Sia stared at it, almost in wonder. "Margaret- I mean, your highness- I couldn't possibly-"
"It's alright, Sia. Take it as a gift. For being my friend?" Sia blinked a few times before nodding slowly.
"I… thank you." She held it out for a moment longer before fastening it around her neck. Margaret smiled.
"Good night, my Traveler."
Sia smiled back. Margaret couldn't quite describe the tightening in her chest when Sia smiled. It almost felt sacred, like the glint in her eyes was reflecting Margaret's own light, like the sun had passed behind a cloud to let the moon shine a moment longer. "Good night, my princess."
Margaret dreamt of angels that night.
The next day, it rained. Hard. The whole city had barricaded themselves inside to wait out the storm, and the palace was dreary and cold. The king was nowhere to be found, so Margaret spent the day in her studies. It was comforting to be reading quietly beside a crackling fire while wind and rain screamed against the windows, but all she wanted to do was be with her friends.
When Margaret finally put her books away and opened the door to walk back to her room, shielding herself from the rain with a cloak of radiance, she found Sia waiting for her.
"Were you waiting for me this whole time?" Margaret cast another cloak and threw it over Sia as she stood by the door, ignoring her muffled protest. "You'll catch cold, Sia! What on earth were you thinking?"
Sia managed to extract herself from the glowing fabric and wrapped it around herself in a huff. "It's my job to protect you, princess, so it's fine-"
"You could have come inside! Come on, let's get you warm." Margaret grabbed Sia and teleported them away, ignoring her protests and vanishing in a splash of rainwater.
Minutes later, Sia was wrapped in Margaret's blanket and sitting on the floor beside a crackling fire in a puddle of water. Margaret busied herself around the kitchen, pulling ingredients from cupboards.
"Your highness, forgive me for asking, but why are you raiding the royal kitchens? Can't you just ask for something to be brought up to your room?" Sia looked up at her as she flicked on a stove and set a pot on the flame, standing up and watching over her shoulder.
Margaret took Sia by the arms and pushed her back down by the fire. "Stay next to the fireplace, Sia. You're shaking with cold, you'll be lucky not to be ill for weeks. And as for the food, I wanted to make you something! I hope you like tomato soup."
Sia sighed and wrung out her soaking hair, fighting back another shiver. "I'm quite alright, Princess, but this really isn't necessary-"
"Nice try. As your princess, Sia, I order you to get warm, eat what I make you, and then go rest." Margaret laughed as Sia rolled her eyes but stayed put. She finished the soup and pulled a few slices of bread from the shelf. Margaret handed a bowl to Sia and took one for herself, sitting beside her to eat. "Go on, I won't poison you. Not on purpose, at least. Who knows? My cooking can be… questionable."
That got a laugh out of Sia, which quickly turned into a cough. "I'm sure it's fine, your highness." Margaret glanced over at her. Sia was ripping the bread into chunks and carefully dipping them into the soup, and something about how prim and proper she looked while dripping water and shivering made her smile. Her tangled mess of hair was still soaked, but Margaret caught a glimpse of gold behind it and realised that Sia was wearing the necklace she had given her the day before.
"You wore it!" Margaret blurted without thinking. Sia looked at her with no small amount of surprise.
"I…what?" She followed Margaret's gaze and blinked. "Oh. Of course I did, you gave it to me. I wouldn't want to… uh, let it go to waste." Sia shifted awkwardly before changing the subject. "Anyway, I- I brought you something." She rummaged around in her pockets for a moment- why on earth was she wearing her Traveler uniform in this weather? before pulling out a handful of stones. "It's nothing as nice as your gift, of course, I just… um…"
Margaret tilted her head curiously. The stones were small and smooth, but colourful and pretty. A few of them were pulsing softly with radiance that had been infused into them, casting a faint blue glow. Sia plucked up a stone to reveal that they were on a string- a bracelet.
It was beautiful.
"But if you don't like it, you don't have to- I mean, it's alright-" Sia stammered out, misinterpreting Margaret's silence and trying to cover.
Margaret snapped her gaze back up to attention. "N-no, Sia. I… I love it." She reached out and let Sia carefully fasten the bracelet around her wrist. "You made this?"
Sia nodded shyly and sat back. The radiance from the stones thrummed gently against Margaret's skin, sending warmth running up her wrist. It surprised her that Sia had put her own radiance into the gift. Giving another a piece of your magic, your very core, the root of your power, was a symbol of the deepest trust. The melody your soul sang.
Sia's radiance sounded just like her- beautiful and full and pure. Margaret could hear a single, soaring woodwind twisting into a tune that rose and fell and flew. It sounded incredible, but almost… lonely.
"You sound beautiful," Margaret whispered. "I… thank you."
Sia turned away to hide her blush. "Of course. You're the princess, I just wanted to… do something for you."
Margaret looked at her in surprise for a moment, before her face broke into a genuine smile of joy. "What did I do to deserve a friend like you?"
The expression on Sia's face almost made her laugh. She opened and closed her mouth a few times before trying to stutter out some excuse or another, turning red with embarrassment. Margaret watched, amused, before getting up to clean the kitchen. Sia stood to help her but broke into a series of coughs and a (very cute) sneeze. She shot Margaret a look before sighing and tugging the blanket tighter around herself.
"Okay, you win. I should go wash up."
"Thank you, Sia. You'd better not try to follow me around tomorrow. In fact, take the day off. I don't want my Traveler getting ill." Margaret grinned as Sia rolled her eyes, but bowed and left. She caught a hint of a smile cross Sia's lips as the door closed behind her.
"Hello, Sia! How was your day off?" Margaret fell into step beside her friend as they walked down the hallway to Margaret's room. Night had fallen outside, but the torches were burning cheerily and the palace was quiet after a long day of work.
Sia jumped at Margaret's sudden appearance. "Your highness! It was very nice, thank you. I finished the book you lent me- here, I'll give it back now…" She trailed off as Margaret frowned.
"You sound awful, Sia, are you sure you're well?"
"I'm fine, your highness, just a bit under the weather. Besides, I had the whole day off, so I'm sure that once I help you finish your work and get a few hours of sleep I'll be fully recovered."
Margaret sighed in exasperation and reached out to feel Sia's forehead. "Sia, you're ill."
"Princess-"
"And don't you dare pretend that you'll be able to stay up with me until midnight working, because I won't believe it for a second." Margaret took the book Sia was holding and grabbed her hand. "Let's visit your room tonight, why don't we? You need to rest."
Sia tried to protest but was cut off by Margaret teleporting them to a different wing of the palace, stopping in front of a door. "This is yours, correct?" Margaret asked, glancing over at Sia. She nodded. Margaret opened the door and tugged Sia inside.
There was a small bed in the corner beside a shelf half filled with books. The room was neat and clean, almost to a point where it looked barely lived in. The bed looked like it hadn't been slept in for days. A large desk took up most of one wall, covered with papers and various items. Curiously, there was also a box full of yarn on the floor beneath the desk as well as a thin notebook.
"Okay, you need to lie down and sleep. I'll take care of the work." Margaret led Sia firmly to the bed and made her sit.
"Princess, I…" Sia sighed as Margaret shot her a look. "Fine. I'll meet you tomorrow." She pulled a sheet around herself and flopped onto the bed. "It does take me a long time to fall asleep, so if you wanted to stay…? I mean, I could help you for a bit, if you just want me to rest…" Margaret grinned- she had been hoping Sia would ask that.
"Of course."
She sat in the chair beside the bed and began looking through the books on the shelf. There were old, beat up copies of volumes sh e didn't recognize- Sia had probably brought them with her to the palace. Margaret chose one at random and began to read.
An hour or so later, Sia was passed out from exhaustion and sound asleep. Margaret glanced over and smiled- something about seeing her Traveler so peaceful warmed her bones. It felt… safe. Like if Sia herself could look this content, everything would be alright. Margaret set her book down and wandered over to the desk. There were a pair of knitting needles stuck into the yarn, which reminded her of some thing she had read about the second clan- they were set high in the mountains, so warm clothing was essential. It was almost funny to imagine her protective, proper Sia knitting placidly by a fire with a book.
Margaret picked up the notebook on the desk and flipped through the pages. She knew that Sia probably didn't want her to see what was inside, but the lure of getting to know her friend won over.
The notebook was full of drawings and notes. Little sketches of the palace that marked Margaret's favourite places to hide, messily scrawled reminders for her day, detailed logs of whatever work she had completed.
However, most of the book was filled with drawings of Margaret. Smiling, walking, holding armfuls of flowers, wearing beautiful gowns- and most recently, wearing a bracelet and grinning beside a fireplace. Margaret felt an odd sensation creep into her chest. It felt warm, full of some indescribable feeling of oh. Sia drew this.
She set the notebook back down and was about to leave when she spotted a piece of paper with her name written on it. It was folded neatly, and as Margaret opened it she was that it was a letter.
Princess,
Dear Margaret,
Your highness,
Would you like to take a join me in the garden for a walk sometime? I know you're busy, but I would like to if you ever had time perhaps you could join me? Of course, you don't have to, as you are the princess and have other things to attend to, so please don't feel obligated. I hope to see you Thank you. For being my friend so kind this past year.
From your Sia
Margaret smiled. Oh, Sia. Her sweet, proper, silly Sia. Of course she felt she had to write Margaret a letter just to offer a walk in the garden. She took the quill from its pot and wrote a reply.
My dear Sia,
I would in fact love to join you in the garden. Would tomorrow evening be alright? Thank you for inviting me, my friend. I hope to see you soon.
From, your Margaret
P.S., Your drawings are lovely. I will have to ask you to send some designs to my dressmaker, they're very flattering.
She folded the note and set it on top of Sia's unfinished letter. Sia was still asleep, and Margaret clicked off the lamp and sat on the bed beside her. She reached out and brushed a strand of hair out of Sia's face, barely able to make out her features in the dark, but quickly drew her hand back as Sia stirred slightly. Sia mumbled something unintelligible and curled closer to Margaret's warmth. There was a brief flash of blue from beneath the blankets, and Margaret realised that Sia's radiance had reacted to how content she was. It made her grin in the dark. She patted Sia's hand and was about to pull away and go back to her room when Sia's fingers latched onto her own.
"Stay?"
Margaret froze. Stay? In… in her Traveler's bedroom? Sia was still half asleep and definitely not thinking straight, but her grip on Margaret's hand was steady and, well, who was she to deny that request?
"Sia, dear, I don't know if I should… I mean…" Margaret hesitantly tried to extract her hand and was met with a small noise of protest. She laughed quietly to herself before giving in. "Okay. Oh, you're going to be mortified in the morning." The room was dark and silent as Margaret slid beside Sia and pulled her close, but strangely comforting. She was burning with fever, which wasn't a good sign, but at least she was getting some rest. So much for getting work done tonight.
Margaret did have to admit that she preferred this infinitely more.
The only thing that stopped her from sleeping through the rest of the week was the morning sun streaming through the curtains. Margaret blinked awake, disoriented for a moment before she realised where she was.
Oh. Right.
She shifted slightly and was met with the welcome sight of a soundly sleeping Sia tucked against her. They were both still fully dressed from the day before- which was uncomfortable on her part, why had she felt the need to wear her nicest uniform? but she was the most well rested she had been in weeks. Margaret laid a hand on Sia's head to check her temperature and sighed. She was still horribly sick. The realisation that perhaps sharing a bed with a person with a fever this high was probably not the best idea dawned on her, but she couldn't find it in herself to care.
…ah, right. Sharing a bed.
Sia was going to be so angry.
Margaret settled back against the warm body beside her. That was a problem for later, she decided. For now, she would just enjoy this fragile peace and sleep for a few more minutes. Sia hummed softly and snuggled herself deeper into Margaret's arms. The blush on both their faces was unmistakable, although Sia's might just have been from fever.
She wasn't sure how much time had passed before Sia wriggled out of Margaret's grasp and sat up slowly. Margaret had been idly playing with a strand of that fire-red hair, drinking in how content she felt. This was going to be interesting.
"What…" Sia blinked and glanced down, surprised to find that she was still in her uniform. Margaret stifled a laugh as she froze, eyes going wide as she recounted the events of the last night. Sia's gaze slowly turned to the princess laid in her bed, coy and catlike. Her face went red.
"M-Margaret- I mean, your highness- I- I'm so sorry, that…" She tripped over her words and nearly fell trying to stand up as quickly as possible. "Oh, no. Your highness- forgive me, I didn't mean to fall asleep, I'm so sorry, I…" Sia trailed off and buried her head in her arms. Margaret couldn't help but smile.
"No, no, it's alright, Sia. I don't mind. In fact, I'm sorry for falling asleep as well- I meant to go, but well, since you asked so nicely-"
Sia looked up in confusion which quickly morphed into horror as she realised that yes, she had asked for Margaret to stay. "Princess- I-" She sighed in utter resignation. "Please just forget this. I'm sorry, I overstepped, it won't happen again."
Why not? The thought was in Margaret's head before she could stop it. Why couldn't this happen again? It had been the happiest she had felt in ages, and…
No, it's not proper for a princess to behave like this. Little crushes are not at all going to help you in any way, so why-
Margaret stopped that train of thought in its tracks.
Because… because if it means that I could wake up like this again, just one more time, I think I would do anything.
"Sia. It's okay." She reached out and caught Sia's hands, radiating softly to steady them both. "Really. It was lovely. And I think you've just slept longer then you have all this week, so I'll count it as a success." Sia met Margaret's eyes, and for a moment she saw that the princess was being genuine. She wasn't angry in the slightest. "You're still very ill, Sia, so I'll leave you to get some rest now."
The indignation she was met with made Margaret almost sigh. "Your highness, I'm fine, really! I've spent far too long resting, I… I think I can…" Sia swayed slightly and frowned, pressing a hand to her head. "I've had headaches before, I think I can get some work done today."
"Absolutely not. It's the weekend, so neither of us have much to do anyways. You are going to stay here, and I am going to go get you some food and medicine. You need to eat, and frankly, so do I." Margaret let her magic die away and left the room without another word.
Sia was in the chair beside the bed when Margaret returned, sitting with her head clutched in her hands and a grimace of pain twisted across her face. Margaret set the tray of pastries, tea, and pills on the desk and walked to her side. "You alright?" Sia jumped in surprise and looked up, quickly forcing a smile onto her face.
"Oh- yes, I'm fine." Margaret raised an eyebrow but didn't comment. Sia was glancing at her nervously, trying to work up the courage to speak. "I, uh, I got your note." She shifted in the chair, and Margaret saw that she was holding the slip of paper she had left the night before. "You.. do you mean it?"
Oh, Sia.
"Yes, of course. I'd love to go on a walk with you. In fact, as my Traveler you're probably best suited to accompany me anyways, and the gardens are delightful to be in. Although we might have to wait until you're fully recovered." Margaret brought the tray over and handed Sia one of the pastries from the royal kitchens along with a few pills. "Take these- for the fever. And this, it's my favourite bread they make for us. I think you'd like it."
Sia bit her lip but complied. Margaret took her mug of tea and sat on the bed beside Sia, smiling softly at her. She watched in amusement as Sia swallowed a pill to hide her blush.
The first few minutes were spent in awkward silence, but eventually Margaret began telling stories of everyday life in the palace. Of who said what and meaningless gossip in the courts and meetings, how awfully boring some royal business was, of tall tales and silly myths. To her it was all second nature, but Sia seemed enraptured in her words- asking questions and commenting on her quotes. It was, in some magical way, beautiful to see Sia opening up to her. She was so much more animated, her usual stoic expression shoved aside to be replaced by hand gestures and soft laughter when Margaret imitated an official. They began swapping stories, with Sia finally talking about her life in the clan. How incredible it had been to train and learn her Ways, the snowy mountains, the peace and quiet, the… loneliness. Why she had come to the palace in the first place.
Margaret listened close and realised that when she was talking fast and animated, Sia had a slight accent to her words. Just a little tilt to the way she pronounced a few letters, a slight roll of the tongue, but it was adorable.
Once they had finished breakfast and the conversation had trickled down to a comfortable pace. Margaret stood. "This has been… amazing, Sia. All of it. I'd like to be able to do this again some time… if you're okay with that?"
"O-Oh! Um… yes. Yes, I… I would love that." She paused. "But I think that sharing a room the next time would draw some, er- undesired attention. I am so sorry about that, again, I didn't mean to… I wasn't thinking straight. That was my fault, I-"
Margaret cut her off. "It's okay, Sia. Really. But yes, I can see that perhaps my father would not take too kindly to any… midnight activities between us, so I suppose we'll have to keep it to evenings." She opened the door and turned back to smile. "I really should go now. Have a good day, Sia. Don't work yourself too hard." And with that, she left the room.