Danyla's menstrual cycle was rather unusual, coming only once every six months or so. As a result, she had not given it much thought after what had happened in the Mountains of the Moon. Fortunately, her body was fully developed now, almost no different from an adult's. Surely there would be no danger.
To conceal any changes her body might undergo in the coming days, Danyla instructed Bethany,
"Bethany, have someone prepare some looser clothes. I don't want anyone noticing that I've put on weight."
"Yes, Your Highness!"
"But I wouldn't call it putting on weight. You've only filled out a little. Anne told me girls tend to gain a bit of flesh while they're developing."
"And... haven't you always wanted them to grow bigger?"
As the mischievous Bethany spoke, she gave Danyla's soft breast a squeeze.
"You little wretch!"
Naturally, Danyla refused to let her get away with that. She pinned Bethany to the carpet and ran her hands all over her. Their laughter made even the guards outside the room flush.
Once she was properly dressed, Danyla immediately summoned Earl Tarly and the other lords of the Reach, both great and small.
"Your Highness, the twelve thousand troops of the western army have been assembled and reorganized. At your command, they can march at any moment!"
"Now that the eastern army has successfully taken Yronwood and Wyl, our warriors of the Reach are growing impatient as well."
As commander of The Reach Army for this campaign, Earl Tarly was not only eager for war but also an outstanding military leader. He had reorganized the entire Reach Army in fewer than ten days.
"Since everyone is ready, we'll march tomorrow! But you must remain alert for surprise attacks by the Dornish. They're like snakes, insects, rats, and ants lurking