I walked back to my chamber and found Kesar sitting on the edge of my bed. She was folding my clothes, neatly stacking them on top of the others.
I stopped by the doorway and watched the Kennari in silence. She was placing some blooming jasmines between the fabrics to make them smell good. I realized no one could take care of me the way Kesar could. But once in a while, I heard her sniff as if she had been crying.
"Kesar?" I called out to her and took a few steps forward. The maiden frantically wiped her eyes before turning around.
"Yes, my lady?" She bowed. I went and pulled her up by the arms. Kesar still kept her eyes down, yet I could see tears glimmering over her damp lashes.
"You cried?" I asked, tipping her chin up. Kesar tilted her head away.
"Dirt got into my eyes, that is al
