Seeing as they were still in an open corridor, Agnes knew it would not be good for them to discuss it here. So she devised another plan.
"I would like to invite you to my room for a chat about Princess Sierra. I also have a selection of desserts I brought from my home kingdom, perhaps you might like to try a few?" Agnes asked, indicating her true intent.
Cassandra was no fool. Nor was she soft in the brain. She knew what Agnes wished to discuss and she was not opposed to it.
"Very well," she said while unfurling a folded lace fan, "lead the way."
Sierra returned to her room after she finished her dinner. She was immediately ambushed by Ida who had heard all about what happened in the dining hall.
"You are so brave, Princess Sierra! I don't think anyone would ever dare to stand up to her as you did. I heard Princess Cassandra can be quite the bully," Ida praised.
As it turned out, Princess Cassandra had a notorious reputation for ill-treating servants back in her home kingdom. Since all the servants talked, everyone knew it was best not to offend her.
"The maid whom you helped, Esther, is very grateful for your help. She wanted to thank you personally," Ida added as she helped comb Sierra's hair while they were at the dressing table.
"Thank me? What for?" Sierra wondered, "I simply did what I thought was right, nothing more."
"You're too humble, Your Highness," Ida chuckled as she gently pats Sierra on the shoulder, "If only all the princesses were like you. I hope you get chosen by King Alistair! Then you can stay here!"
Sierra could not help but chuckle at the thought of it. She had not considered what to do. She was sent here to take Princess Felicity's place as a potential concubine for King Alistair.
If she failed, she would be able to return home. But what fate awaited her? If she became the King's concubine, where would the path before her lead to?
Just then, a knock on the door pulled her out of her thoughts. Ida went to get it and shortly returned with a birdcage and a letter.
"Your Highness you have-"
"Give it to me, quickly," Sierra quickly said as she reached out for it.
She knew exactly what they were and she was so happy to see it. Placing the cage down on the table, Sierra turned her attention to the letter first. Feeling the Bancroft family wax seal beneath her fingers, she smiled.
She quickly opened the envelope with excitement. Just as she had expected, it was a handwritten letter from her father. The bird in the cage was a Greywing. Greywings were a special breed of birds reared by members of the Bancroft family.
Each family member usually had a few in their care, well-tended to by the bird keeper. These intelligent birds were trained to deliver letters and documents.
"This is such a peculiar bird. Is this a gift to you from your father, Princess?" Ida asked as she marveled at the bird in the cage.
It was unlike any she had seen before. Its entire body was dark grey in color, while its feet were black.
"Yes, it's a delivery bird," she glanced over to the cage where the name of the Greywing was written, "Her name is Bunty and she will be delivering my letters home."
Sierra turned her attention back to the letter at hand. She was happy to know that her father was recovering well from his injury. He hoped she was doing well and he apologized for how things had transpired.
As her vision began to blur, Sierra sniffled before she wiped the fresh tears off her face. Ida excused herself from the room to give Sierra some privacy and to get some writing supplies for her to write a return letter.
"It's not your fault father, who would have thought..." Sierra muttered to herself as she continued to read its contents.
General Leon came to realize the King likely knew about Cedric's plan to frame them and condone it. Due to his injuries and in light of what happened, he was forced to retire from the court and relinquish his army and power to the crown.
Sierra slammed her hand down on the table, seething in anger. This did not startle the Greywing in the cage. Perhaps the bird was used to the unjust the members of the Bancroft family faced.
Her father did not elaborate the matter any further. Instead, he diverted the topic of conversation to Sierra. He wanted to know how she was doing.
"Your Highness, here are some writing supplies you can use to write your letter," Ida returned with the supplies in hand.
Sierra smiled as she thanked her, "This is perfect, thank you, Ida. You read my mind, didn't you."
Until it was time for bed, Sierra penned a long letter to her father. This was not her first time away from home, but it was the first time she was so far away from her father. She expressed her regrets for not being able to bid him farewell.
She reassured him she was doing well in Drakin and missed him dearly. She wished he could be here by her side to guide her. But perhaps even he would not know what to do.
When she was done, Sierra sealed the envelope with a wax seal of her own. She turned her attention to the bird, opening the cage door and placing her hand in while whistling to coax the bird to trust her.
Eventually, it hopped onto her hand, curiously looking at her as she took her hand out of the cage. Ida watched on silently, marveling at the creature.
Sierra held out the envelope she had rolled into the shape of a tube, "Deliver it to my father."
The Greywing looked into her eyes. It understood Sierra's words. The bird unfurled its wings and lifted itself into the air. Once she stabilized, she grabbed the letter Sierra had prepared in her hand and flew out through the open window.