Mira tilted her head as she laughed, her voice ringing out clear and bright. It was a beautiful spring day, and the palace was bustling; servants ran back an forth, heads down, while various visiting nobles strolled the halls, no doubt trying to imagine that they owned the place.

To Mira, though, everyone else might as well not have existed. She and Solande had been friends for many years, and she had been the Queen's advisor for almost as long. They had shared nearly everything since then, and Mira had never been happier, in the Tower or out.

She was not quite sure which event they were hosting at the moment; some to-do about a Lord's daughter coming of age. Solande had been speaking of the preparations she had made for it for some time, but in truth Mira was more than content just to listen to the woman's voice. They had both been busy lately, and it seemed like ages since the last time they had just been able to talk.

As one of the passing Lords motioned to Solande, she and Mira exchanged a look before Mia peeled off to sit by on of the high windows. Solande would no doubt tell her everything they spoke of anyway, but at least they could give the appearance of privacy between the Queen and the nobles.

Watching the evening sky out of the window, Mira sighed, still smiling. It really was a beautiful day, and she really was happy.