Just then, someone knocked on the door. Rose and Celia exchanged glances before turning toward their queen.
"Your Majesty, we'll take our leave now," Rose said softly.
"Go ahead. Don't spend the entire day cooped up in your rooms. Take Rabi for a walk in the backyard while it's quiet and let her get some fresh air."
Over the past two days, Rose and Celia had gradually developed a certain degree of friendship with Rabi. It was difficult to tell how much of that was due to genuine affection and how much came from simply becoming accustomed to her presence, but at least they could now look at her white hair and unusual appearance without displaying the discomfort they had shown initially. Lina was pleased with this progress. She had no intention of keeping several girls crowded around her while she flirted with a man, so she waved them away and encouraged them to enjoy themselves outside.
