Chapter 13
dirty beggar
“Ready to go, then?”
Nelia looked up, her face again flushing hot with being caught daydreaming.
“Yes,” she croaked out, looking down to fuss with arranging her skirts and the blanket around her. The morning was crisp, though she barely noticed, for her insides were still burning from her ridiculous emotions.
“Madam, this is a present from the palace,” the housekeeper said, appearing at Igna’s side as though out of vapor. Nelia looked down to find a neatly-folded, homespun shawl in purple. “You will need it, I think. The fog is descending fast down the mountain. Though I do not think there will be rain, the air will be damp, and we do not wish you to get sick upon leaving here.”
“A gift? For me?”
The hasty words were out before Nelia could think. Bullying at
