Perian shook his head. “I think you’re all striving to take care of her to the very best of your abilities. I think Renny’s health is changing and shifting, and perhaps not everyone is adjusting as quickly or as smoothly to that as they could.”
“And you think to minister to her health better than all of us? Better than a doctor?” she demanded.
Perian gazed narrowly back at the Queen, though he made sure to keep his voice even. “It was my understanding, Your Majesty, that the doctor agreed with me.”
She exhaled sharply through her nose, and Brannal was tense at his side, but after a moment, one side of her mouth tipped up slightly in an almost smile.
“You still have very strong opinions,” she observed, no longer sounding like she wanted to pick a fight.
“Still, Your Majesty,” he agreed, smiling a little ruefully. Then he sobered. “Renny’s so scared that she’s not going to get well. And it’s possible that’s true, but let’s face that if it happens. In the meantime, if she can believe and hope and do things that fill her life with joy, then, just maybe,that’s the reality we’ll experience instead.”
“You can’t make my daughter well just by wishing it.” She sounded a little wistful.
Perian shook his head. “But I can try.”
She blinked several times, and Perian wondered suddenly if she was trying not to cry. A moment later, the look was gone, and she was leveling a stern stare at him.
“No boisterous play. She may have her picnic in her rooms—in the bedroom until she is well enough for anywhere else. The doctor will declare when that occurs. You are not to give my daughter any timelines. You are not to promise that she’ll ever be able to ride again. This is a significant setback, and it must be treated as such.”
“Yes, Your Majesty,” Perian agreed.
He didn’t totally agree, but he knew better than to say so.
The Queen’s keen gaze made it seem like maybe she could see his unspoken disagreement. Her eyes narrowed. “You may visit her for this picnic, and you may read to her if she finds it beneficial.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty,” Perian said hurriedly.
“The doctor will continue with the application of tonics and any medicines that are deemed necessary for the Princess’s improving health.”
“Yes, Your Majesty,” he agreed blandly, hoping this meant the doctor wasn’t going to get a big scolding.
“You are not to be a nuisance and disturb her,” she warned.
“Certainly not, Your Majesty.”
She huffed a breath that sounded a lot like Renny. “Get out of my sight.”
Suppressing a smile, Perian climbed to his feet. “Yes, Your Majesty.”
Brannal rose to his feet as well, but the Queen said, “Brannal, I would speak with you.”
He inclined his head and flashed a small smile at Perian before sitting back down. Perian bowed to the Queen.
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
She inclined her head, and Perian decided to get while the getting was good.
He’d forgotten about the Warriors that were outside the Queen’s door, which meant that his sigh of relief was probably alittlemore audible than he’d intended.
Well, they probably already knew the Queen could be fierce, what with guarding her all the time.
He flashed them a smile. “Have a good day.”
They looked a little bemused but inclined their heads to him.
Perian headed out to the quadrangle, because he had a few hours before he could see Renny, and rushing up there now didn’t make sense. He’d been given permission for the picnic, and that was at lunchtime.
He would try to make his visits count.
