Siegfried glided into the room, his smile full with rich cheer that was far more beautiful even than the sunlight that glinted on the gold embroidery of his attire. That light was yet young, as was the day, and the young monarch found himself now with time to spare, though there was never any question of how he would spend it. With a last piece of royal business attended to, he sought out Rue again, and found her quickly, still in their rooms. She sat primly on a velvet-upholstered chair as though trying to gather herself, far more regal than any of the carved decorations upon it, but matching them in solemnity. His eyebrows rose despite himself as slight shock struck him; his princess's distant serenity never failed her, but the stiffness of her slender fingers spread over her skirt and the absence of her gaze made that serenity seem strained. So it appeared to him, at least, though to most it might merely have been a cordiality more prim than usual. She did not even notice his entrance, at first, though she caught his presence before he spoke.

“...Good morning, my prince.” A corner of her mouth was all that lifted as he approached, and he treated her to a quizzical glance. Her rare smile was often somewhat readier for him, or at least it had become so of late, and to see it subdued left him quietly saddened, though he could not yet suppose the reason for that.

“Good morning, Rue...” A frown stole over his delicate features, twisting them as his head tipped slightly at a curious angle. “Is there something troubling you?”

“Not at all. I was just getting ready to go out on my own...” She informed him idly, as if to explain her previous distracted state. He couldn't quite fathom what form of preparations that had represented, however, and he felt his frown deepening. It could have been only him, he supposed, worrying overmuch. For the moment, he could at least trust her words. So, he pressed a lighter expression on himself in order to extend his invitation.

“Oh... If it does not disrupt your plans too much, would you like to walk in the gardens with me today?” He suggested, more awkwardly than he would have liked.. He lacked anything more inspired, something he quite regretted. There was certainly more that he could have done, but he was nervous to try; for if it did not please her, it could well make matters worse. Some fresh air might do to help her mood, and perhaps he would ask which flower was most to her liking, and present it to her there, freshly picked.

Yet it was only after a pause and a swiftly-smoothed frown that she nodded. “I would like that very much, my prince.”

She meant what she said regardless her hesitation; he could see that in the way her chin lifted as though defiant of something, and he found himself drifting over possibilities for what she might be defying. What might be concerning her. It was not just him being fretful, or what he truly feared sometimes, reading emotions that were not there. The only certain way to learn would be to ask, and he had opened his mouth to do just that, when she interrupted him by standing. “Yes. I will go with you, my prince.”

He smiled, rather bemused, but nodded and leaned to kiss her forehead in the hopes that such affection might ease her unspoken complaints. And yet, as it happened, the soft color that such a gesture brought to her cheeks even then was not enough to relief his own sudden concern.

The prince removed his lips from Rue's skin with a troubled gasp, tender anxiety blooming in his wide golden eyes.

“I suspected that something was wrong. You have a terrible fever, my princess...”

She blinked sharply, plainly startled by his discovery, or perhaps simply by his concern. Despite her apparent determination to ignore it, she must have known that he would notice, and he would not allow it to merely pass. Still, it did not hinder her recovering her bearing, or at least, restoring it to its previous, doubtlessly weakened, condition. She was doing her best, of course, but that was far from enough to relax him. In fact, it might have done quite the opposite, as he tensed and drew himself straighter to look over her worriedly.

“...It's barely more than a cold,” she insisted, then added pointedly. “I do wish to spend the day with you, my prince.”

“I will not leave your side today. You do not need to worry about that.” He faced her solemnly, shaking his head graciously, though that gesture was directed at himself. How foolish of him not to have seen this, to have instead feared some more complicated trouble, but nonetheless, this was something he could see to at once. “Please, return to bed... You mustn't push yourself.”

“Honestly, my prince,” she sniffed, “There isn't any need to-”

“There is no need for you to be so stubborn, my princess. Whether it is serious or not, you must rest to be well again.” His firm instruction was not what brought her protests to a halt, however. As he spoke, he brushed forward a single step and leaned forward just enough to catch her knees over his arm, quickly bringing another arm to support her as he cradled her against him.

“...M-my prince!”