[Mekatra]

Joane was both delighted and furious that he managed to catch her by surprise. It delighted her as a trainer, but infuriated her at herself. She told herself that he was a novice and she shouldn't be able to be put on the ground so easily, but she had to temper it with the fact that he was learning quickly and fighting very hard.

When it came time in the morning she led him to a solarium in the queen's wing and knocked politely. One of the ladies in waiting answered the door and giggled when she saw the two of them. "Your majesty, your cousin is here." New apparently traveled fast around the castle.

Elizaveta called for them to be admitted and stood to embrace Trevor again, though it felt much more stiff and formal this time. She waved her hand and called over a thing young woman with long black hair in tightly curled ringlets. She approached and lowered her eyes. "This is Trevor, my cousin. Trevor, the Lady Leandrea, daughter of Duke Edmond." The woman looked up at him and smiled faintly.

"A pleasure to meet you, Lord Trevor." She held her hand out to him. "I hope this morning is finding you well."