our ways are different here. When Branford knelt to offer himself up to Camden and to Silverhelm, all those considered bound to him are also offered by him. That’s why Parnell remained standing behind him. As Branford’s adjunct, Branford offers Parnell to Silverhelm when he offers himself. If Parnell knelt separately, he would in effect dismiss himself from Branford’s service. By kneeling on your own, you distanced yourself from him. You spoke for yourself, instead of allowing your husband to speak for you. It’s not a major transgression, but he probably found it mildly embarrassing.”
“It wasn’t my intent,” I said quietly.
“I’m sure he knows that,” Sunniva said, reassuring me, but I wasn’t completely convinced.
“Will he…will he return me to Hadebrand?”
“Why would you ask such a question?” Sunniva’s hands tightened their grip on mine.
“What he…he said to the king. He said he would…he would…if King Camden asked…”
I couldn’t even finish the thought. Everything I had heard him say in the carriage with Sir Parnell and in the throne room with the king—talk of annulling the marriage, murders over lands, and war—had me frightened. Knowing what I knew now, I had no doubt I would not see many sunsets if I was returned to Edgar’s kingdom.
“Pshaw!” Sunniva exclaimed. “Branford only said that to get him to agree to keep you here without completely losing face after going against his father’s wishes. He knew Camden would never make you return, given the circumstances. You would be put in a very bad position. Camden would never do that, and Branford knows it.”
I looked down at the floor, trying to comprehend her words. He wasn’t offering to give me up? I had been so sure he was about to renounce me.
“He frightened you, didn’t he?” Sunniva asked.
“Yes, my queen,” I replied quietly. “I thought…I thought I would have to leave.”
“You have had a trying day,” Sunniva repeated. “So many changes for you. Let’s find you something to wear, and then we’ll talk.”
Releasing my hands, the Queen of Silverhelm opened a large wooden wardrobe—one of many lined up against the wall. She pulled out one fancy dress after another, looked it over, and then put it back. Eventually she pulled out a long dress of yellow and blue.
“I think this will fit you nicely,” Sunniva said with a nod. “The color will be perfect with your skin. I’m not sure about the length, though. I think you may be tripping over the skirts, and we don’t want that. Tell me, dear—do you sew?”
“Yes, of course, my queen” I responded, realizing almost immediately that I had misspoke yet again. “I mean, Sunniva.”
“Wonderful!” Sunniva beamed at me. “Let’s get it on you and see how much we’ll need to hem.”
Sunniva helped me dress in the beautiful gown and then measured how much to hem with her fingers. Once we knew how much to shorten the skirts, I started to put the muddied dress back on, but Sunniva stopped me. She pulled out a simple dress for me to wear, which was still much too long, so I bunched it up around my legs and sat down on a stool to start sewing. Sunniva pulled up another stool and grabbed the other end of the skirt. I furrowed my brow, confused. Sunniva glanced up at me and laughed.
“It will go much faster if we both work on it,” she said.
“You know how to sew?”
“Yes, I do,” Sunniva responded. “I quite enjoy it, actually. I made the dress you are wearing now.”
“You did?” I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. Sunniva was a queen, and the dress I was wearing was not easy to make. Why in the world would a queen ever need to learn sewing?
“I’m not completely useless,” Sunniva said as she tried to hide a smile. “I find it relaxing, and when the tailor doesn’t get Camden’s robes just right, I can fix them for him.”
“I’m sorry,” I said quickly. “I didn’t mean to imply…”
“Don’t be silly,” Sunniva said with a wave of her hand. “I know it’s a little unusual, given my station. My mother taught me when I was young.”
We sat on the stools, each of us sewing in silence around the edge of the lavish skirt. It was good to be participating in such an activity, for I was familiar with it and felt comfortable with my skills. At least I wasn’t afraid of doing something wrong with this task. The dress was made of very fine materials, and Sunniva’s needles were sharp and easy to use. I found myself relaxing for the first time since the Grand Tournament ended.
“Branford is a good man,” Sunniva said after several minutes of sewing. “He is impulsive, and he has a bit of a temper, but he's a good man.”
“Yes, Sunniva,” I replied, unsure of exactly how I should respond to such a comment. Was she trying to convince me of his goodness or warn me of his temper? I had already seen that.
“You don't have to agree with me,” Sunniva said. She stopped her movements with the needle. I looked up and was met with her kind smile. “I know this is frightening for you. When I was betrothed to Camden, I was only fourteen and had never met him before. It was a political union, and I was terrified when I was brought here to Silverhelm, knowing nothing of what was to come. I knew nothing of Camden and had heard many stories of men who were less than kind to their wives. I just wanted you to know Branford isn't cruel or evil. I don’t believe he would have suggested annulling the marriage if he thought Camden would actually demand it.”
“I’ve seen his…temper,” I said softly, wondering how good an idea it would be to reveal my fears concerning her adopted son, but she seemed so kind, and I felt at ease. I wasn’t quite ready to let my guard down completely like I might have done with Hadley or someone close to my station, but I could certainly see myself liking the Queen of Silverhelm.
“Was he gentle with you?” Sunniva inquired, her voice quite soft.