In The Courtroom

Alexander stepped out of his bedchamber, leaving the maids to their morning chores of seeing to the tidying of his sleeping quarters. After a deep inhale and an even stronger exhale, he strode past Edmund who had been waiting for him.

"Your Majesty, three ministers from your court have arrived." His attendant informed him.

"Very well, I shall attend to them immediately." Alexander replied. The day had only just begun and already the demands of his courtiers required his attention, leaving him without the luxury of breakfast.

The morning was beautiful, much like the woman who had come to him the previous day. If he so wished, he could make his ministers wait while he shared breakfast with her, but he refrained, despite the temptation. She needed her privacy to mourn over the fact that she was away from her family, and he would let her have it. For now.