"You think so?" she asked hesitantly, nowhere near as sure of it as he was. She hoped he was right, that the queen did like her, because it would make things easier for everyone if that were the case.

Her hand shifted down to trace a seem on his coat, wishing he could undress and be more comfortable but understanding why he didn't. "I want to help her," she confessed quietly, "in any way I can. But I don't know how to without... messing it up. I don't want her to think that I see her as being weak, or, I don't know, that I think my position is higher than it is, because neither is true. I just know that this has to be difficult for her and I'd like to make it easier if I can."