When Henry arrived at the palace, he was welcomed with open arms by maids and servants who seemed happy to see him. However, it wasn't until he faced one of the princess's lesser-known ladies-in-waiting that he was given heartbreaking news.
"You must be here for her highness," the young woman said, her smile waning at the realization. "The princess is away at the moment. She will be back in a few days' time."
It struck Henry right in his gut but outwardly he masked his innumerable disappointment.
"That's alright," the knight assured her. "I simply wanted to leave her a gift. May I go into her room and write a letter?"
The maid gave him access and even shut the door behind him to give him a small amount of privacy.
Since the princess wasn't in the palace, the room was cold and it reached Henry not only physically but emotionally. The moment he heard the news that she wasn't in the palace, his heart had become ice.
