King Edwin led Merida into one of the quieter day rooms of the castle. It was quaint, just a room where the servants gathered each day before beginning their chores. Inside, the room was well-lit with a beautiful wooden table that was covered with golden plates of fresh fruit. King Edwin pulled Merida closer, hoping to bring her further into the room.

"How does this suit you?" He asked. He brought her hand up to his lips and kissed it, but not without smiling at her. He wanted to know more about her. She was certainly very pleasing to the eye. King Edwin imagined her standing by his side as he greeted the kingdom, telling them about his new marriage. Yes, she would look beautiful on his arm. "Please, tell me about yourself." He said. He could tell she seemed tired and frankly uninterested in talking, but he felt he had to find out more about her.

"You're beautiful." He thought out loud. Without thinking, he reached out to touch her face and he brushed a strand of her hair behind her ear. He wanted to hear about her. If she had fears, worries, if she had goals and accomplishments. He wanted to hear all of it. She had his complete, undivided attention. He noticed she seemed rather tired and uninterested in talking, but he hoped that she'd at least share a little of herself with him. He also noticed that she'd been checking the clock rather frequently. "Do you have responsibilities to attend to?" He asked her, "I've noticed you've been glancing at the clock."