"You don't need to worry too much about this, darling."
Cassandra placed a warm, reassuring hand on Jennifer's shoulder, giving it a firm squeeze.
"This is not your burden to carry. We will handle it."
She straightened up, wiping a stray tear from her cheek with a delicate, manicured finger.
With a deep, shuddering breath, she rebuilt her composure, forcing the mask of the invincible socialite back into place... though she left just enough cracks for Jennifer to see the fear underneath.
"So what if we don't get his support immediately?" she said, her voice light, almost breezy, but with a hollow undertone that made it sound like a lie she was telling herself.
"Richard hasn't officially become the Head yet. The coronation isn't for another six months. A lot can happen in six months, can't it?"
She smiled, a tragic, brave little smile that didn't reach her eyes.
