Essa had been delighted when the physician granted the Princess some more freedoms. She knew how much her cousin longed to leave the four walls of her bedchamber, and she was happy for her to have a chance to do so. But she couldn’t deny a selfish part of herself who feared being sent home, unneeded as a result. In truth, she probably should have done so regardless, but... she couldn’t bring herself to entirely give up the peace she had found here. Especially when things were still so uncertain at home.

The return of her father had turned everything upside down. As much as Essa wanted to help hold her family together... she knew the strain of spending the entirety of her time in a place of such tension would wear her down quickly. Her mother was hardly herself and Imeeya was insistent on pretending nothing had changed. That simply none of it was real. Both were acting out in ways that Essa wasn’t used to. She knew she would cling to them if she were home, desperate to help them feel better, and in the end it would only mean their tempers were unleashed upon her.

Physical space was best for them all. She could make do with frequent visits to check on them while still remaining with her cousins.

So today she was taking respite in one of her favorite places. The Kotas library. It was a sacred place to the young bookworm, forever eager to devour all the stories she could get her hands upon. It was what brought her the most joy in the world, and now more than ever she needed that in every ounce of spare time she could find. She was the sort who liked to carry a scroll or story with her everywhere she went in the hopes of a spare moment or ten, but there was a certain peace that came from remaining within a library to read.

She was deeply engrossed in a new thrilling romance when she heard a soft voice call out to her. “Hmm?” she called back, eyes rapidly trying to finish the section she was on before she was interupted, more out of habit than anything. She was used to her mother and sister who had little patience. It was only when she finally looked up from the words before her that she realized just who had sought her out. “Evras!” she exclaimed, her soft voice by no means dampening the excitement in the greeting. Placing the text aside, she stood to her feet, closing the distance between her cousin and herself with a gentle embrace, careful not to put any pressure upon the Princess’s stomach in the process.

“It’s so good to see you up and about again,” she said warmly as she pulled back to look at the woman. Another thought crossed her mind and worry settled over the features of her face. “Oh, I’m sorry, did you need me? I should have stayed closer in case... I never want to cause you any trouble...”