"Abel," Aurora said, softly, enough to turn the Steward from his desk and to the young princess, who looked at him with cold blue eyes.  "I am shamed for what has happened to me, shamed to have failed Father so.  I have told you what I can and yet hold tight the reins of my sanity.  It would distress me if word of. . .my. . .unfortunate. . .circumstance. . .was spread sooner than it would by the winds of gossip alone.  I know you must send ravens to Father, seek his orders, but there is no profit I can see in allowing all of Valeria to know the secret of my shame.  Between us, I beg you, keep this as a secret as dear as any you had learned in Council chambers.  If you ever were a friend to the family of Deschain, do not allow this to travel by your will farther than between the two of us."