By Order of the King
she said excitedly, approaching her mother, standing over the pot, stirring the food.
"Fetch me two sticks from the pile," Fiona instructed, pointing to the wood stacked by the hearth. Iona promptly complied, retrieving the pieces of wood.
"What news do you bring?" Fiona inquired, accepting the sticks from Iona's hands.
Iona's excitement momentarily faded when she saw her mother's expressionless face. "I met Anise a while ago," she began, recounting the conversation with growing enthusiasm. By the time she finished, she had managed to bring a smile to her mother's lips, her eyes shining with pleasure.
Bab Populer