The inconsiderate sun was shining brightly through the glass panes of the windows where the drapes had been neglected. The air was stuffy inside of the closed room, stale from the long night, and the birdsongs that should have filled the air were muted beyond the stone walls. Carina, huddled under a quilt, stared about the room and pondered staying in bed indefinitely. Tempting as the thought was, a knock at the door ruined such plans when the housemaid informed her that she would be expected at the upcoming morning meal. 

Carina yawned and stretched, several joints popping and cracking in the process, before she tossed the quilt aside and sat up. She swung her legs over the side of the bed and stepped into her slippers. Draped over the post of her bed was her silk robe which she donned over her dressing gown. 

She shambled across the room to the armoire to pick out one of the dresses, a dark green wool with the fewest petticoats. She donned the dress and exchanged her slippers for leather boots. Sitting at the vanity, she pinned her hair back and covered it with a beaded coiffure. Checking herself in the looking glass, Carina patted down her outfit to make sure everything was in place before leaving her room. 

The sound of her boots echoed as she walked down the stone hallway with its polished floors and undecorated walls. The staff bustled about with their soft-soled shoes, making no more than a shuffling whisper when they moved. Carina greeted them as she passed by, her smile warm with kindness. As cold as this castle may seem, she was determined to not let it dampen her spirits…at least not in front of the staff. 

Breakfast was of course being served in the morning room, a sitting room facing the eastern lawn of the estate. French doors opened up onto a terrace and allowed the early spring breeze to fill the room with fresh air and a slight chill. Carina was grateful for her choice in the warmer dress when she entered. 

Lord Odvarr was already seated at the small dining table in the center of the room. He sipped a hot tea while his gaze watched the squirrels scurry and scuffle across the lawn, chittering at one another in petty arguments. Carina took her place at the seat opposite him and a butler appeared to pour her tea. Her hands encircled the warm cup and for a moment she closed her eyes, absorbing the warmth. When she opened them, Lord Odvarr had shifted his attention from the squirrels to her. 

“I’ve asked the chef to prepare spreads and pastries for breakfast,” he said in the tediously informative manner that he had. As far as she could determine, the man had never said an interesting thing in his entire life. 

“Thank you, my lord,” she said with a small bow of her head. Lacking any topic to start a conversation, she sipped her tea as she pondered the eternity of this marriage.