Roslin clenched the hem of her skirt, suppressed the emotions surging within her, and gave another proper curtsy.
Her voice still carried a tremor she had not quite managed to suppress as she said, "I understand, Your Grace. I will study diligently under Princess Rhaenys. I will not disappoint either of you."
After speaking, she quietly clenched and released the hands at her sides. Still shyly lowering her eyes rather than looking at Viserys's face, she even kept her breathing light and slow as she waited for the king to give her further instructions or some other command.
Viserys watched her cautious demeanor and the sweetness she could not quite conceal, offering only a barely audible hum of acknowledgment.
Then he withdrew the predatory gaze that had lingered on the girl and turned toward the door, returning to his usual calm composure.
Just then, the door opened a crack, and a small, agile figure strode straight inside. Dressed in a simple, plain gown of pale blue linen, her short hair still damp, Arya had come straight from her bath.
She casually shut the wooden door behind her, then brushed away the droplets falling from the ends of her hair without a care and gave Viserys a rather imperfect curtsy.
Her gaze first swept over Roslin, who was already seated at the table and looking ill at ease. She raised an eyebrow. She had thought she would bathe faster than Sansa and the others and be the first to arrive.
She said nothing more for the moment, simply straightening up with none of the grace expected of a noble lady.
She had never liked such tedious formalities, and everyone in the Red Keep had always indulged her. Still, she could maintain appearances to some extent when outsiders were present.
She walked