Pen was bathing her Mistress the following evening, when she began to get the feeling all was not well. The Queen did not relax as usual when Pen lathered her hair. Nor did she release those little uninhibited sighs that she usually did when she soaped and massaged her shoulders. Pen was a simple girl really, but even she knew these missing reactions signified something was off. Had Naphtalie been a friend, she would have asked what was the matter. But she wasn't. So all that was left to Pen was duty and keeping quiet.
'Would you do something for me Penny?' the Queen asked eventually.
Her servant's heart jumped. 'Yes, of course!'
'You must not disclose this to anyone. Do you promise?'
Penny started to sweat a little. 'I promise. I always keep your confidence.'
Naphtalie smiled tightly.
'Good girl. I want one of your dresses -- just to borrow. Not a pretty one. The plainest one you have. You must obey me in this. It's very important. Will you do it for me, Pen, tonight?'
The girls' brows knitted together in consternation but she agreed and went off to fulfill her secret mission, leaving the Queen to finish her bath alone.
'It's perfect. Thank you,' said Naphtalie, as Pen helped her into it later that night.
'I'm glad it suits Ma'am. I did want to bring you my best one but then I remembered what you said.'
'I am immensely pleased with it.'
Penelope struggled to hide her confusion as she curtseyed.
'Do you need anything else, your Majesty?'
'That will be all for tonight. I wish to be left undisturbed by all now, until morning. Make sure that everyone knows that.'
'Yes, my lady.'
Pen bobbed her head and left Naphtalie alone in her deeply uncustomary attire.