Midway through the luncheon, Margaret excused herself, saying she needed to rest for a moment and attend to her daughter.
Holding Eleanor's small hand, she left the bustling banquet hall, surrounded by Annabelle and other ladies-in-waiting.
A moment later, an Attendant quietly approached Murphy's side and whispered something to him.
Murphy gave a slight nod, set down his wine glass, and also rose, heading toward a corridor at the side of the banquet hall that led to the inner court.
The corridor was deep and silent. The candlelight on the walls cast a soft halo, stretching their shadows long.
Margaret dismissed her attendants, leaving only Annabelle to wait quietly at the corridor's entrance.
Eleanor seemed truly sleepy. Held in Margaret's arms, she was already dozing off groggily against her shoulder.
"To the study," Margaret said, then led the way forward. Murphy followed in silence.
The study in Taymer Palace was located in the west wing, spacious and private.
