though it was never entirely safe for a princess to wander the halls alone as it grew dark, she was confident in the guard she felt trailing behind her -- twenty paces back, only proper, eyes boring into the cut of her back. undoubtedly they were exhausted with her pacing, and less entertained by her than the ladies she dismissed hours ago. the princess couldn’t sleep, and instead had tied a black robe over a black kirtle and set out to walk the papal palace and consume her thoughts in art and statues. she wasn’t expecting to walk past a familiar figure, nor to even see him for days yet, and though her expression bore no change, she was startled into silence. sabine dipped into a careful curtsy, a bit lower than necessary out of the respect she held, and came up with only a small smile. “ my brother, come at last. “
