There was a girl at the mausoleum door, an unfamiliar one. Petite, with enough Twenxian blood to warm her skin and darken her hair. Her eyes, though, were light--a tawny gold. She wore a clerk's black, and smiled, easily, politely, with a complete lack of recognition. "I'm sorry to interrupt, but I think I missed my way? I should have just waited at the villa, but I was excited, and ready to get to work. They said that the queen had headed down to the lower gardens, and I just wanted to introduce myself, but I think I've gotten turned around somehow, um." She frowned, looking around and realizing that it was a gravesite, concern darkening her face.
Alura could not help her own smile. "Well, introduce yourself then."
"E-excuse me?" The girl looked confused, but it was only for one moment before her eyes went wide with understanding and horror. She bowed, too deep, lost her balance, and dropped to one knee, bowing again, over it, like a courtly squire from the old tales.
"Yes, I know I am, but who are you?"
The girl's head popped up. "Lucy Lane," she said. "I'm-- I'm your new personal secretary."
"I am very pleased to meet you." And she was. For in this gloomy place, with its sad memories and concerns for the future, Lucy had entered and made her laugh. It was as if the clouds had parted, letting in momentary sunshine.
She did not know it then, but it seemed as if she could feel it, that Lucy Lane would bring sunshine into her life for all the years she had left of it.