"I'm so happy for you," Bella said, smiling.
The softness in her voice made Livia's chest warm. She had not expected friendship to come so quickly, especially not from a woman like Lady Bella, who belonged to palaces, kings, and noble bloodlines. But Bella's joy felt real.
"Thank you," Livia said quietly and looked around. "So this is Whitehall, uhn?"
Bella followed her gaze. "Yes. Whitehall."
The palace stretched before them. Courtyards opened into archways, archways into galleries, galleries into corridors. Servants moved quickly, guards stood stiffly.
Livia swallowed. It was beautiful and terrifying.
"Lucky for you," Bella added lightly, "the queen mother was exiled to the Tower."
Livia turned sharply. "Why?"
Bella's face brightened. "I told you I had tons of gossip."
"Oh no."
"Oh yes." Bella leaned closer as they walked. "In my absence, the queen mother poisoned Stephen, the king's steward."
Livia stopped walking. "Oh my God. Is he alright?"
