Arturia remained puzzled, but decided against prying. However, a part of her was worried; there seemed to me more going on than a simple misunderstanding.

That worry was confirmed a moment later at something that should have been common knowledge. "We were on a campaign against the creatures of the Rift," she explained. "Even in the event you were not present for the announcement of my seneschal, certainly another would have spoken of it."

A slight, puzzled frown marred her mask as she glanced at the people in the courtyard. Their reactions to her return had been normal, as if she had been gone for a mere week instead of over a year....