After the funeral, Noemi tried to retreat to her chambers, only to find them full of cousins.
“No, don’t hug me! Please leave, let me be!” she cried when they tried to enfold her. It was unkind and she knew it—they were surely seeking comfort as much as attempting to give it—but she just couldn’t bear company. They all knew her to be bad-tempered; didn’t her mother always say she could turn from sparrow to hawk on a breath? Hopefully they would forgive her later.
When she was finally alone, Noemi curled up under her bedclothes and thought she might never come out. But after less than hour, a maid came to her door and said she was summoned to an audience with the king and queen.
“An audience?” Noemi repeated, gaping. Her family rarely did things so formally.
“With themselves and the roy
