The chill barely lifted from the room before Sylbia and Aris knocked, entering without waiting for her permission.
“Why are you up so early, Your Highness?” Aris asked, heading to tend the fire and then stopped when she realized it was unnecessary.
“And you already tended the fire. How remiss of me,” Aris said, frowning.
“Calm down; no one tended the fire for me at home. I am used to it, and there was no need for you to rise so early. How fare our patients?” she soothed, gratefully taking a mug of tea from Sylbia.
“The mother is fine, and the bairns are fit as a fiddle,” Aris said, placing the boiling pot of water beside the washbasin to fill it.
“And the weaker one?” She asked, watching the women scurry about busily.
“He gained strength. Sylbia’s grandmother was a midwife, and s
