[Maria could understand it a little better. With only the one daughter, the king wanted to make sure she married the finest lord possible... and one that could ensure plenty of heirs. Or at least, that's what Maria always suspected was the real reason; along with an age-old prejudice against the Cainhurst royal family. It doesn't mean she approves of it, and doesn't judge him for it, but she can at least understand where he's coming from. Sometimes, she doesn't care much for her family and their ways, either.

She's not really expecting to have surprised Zelda quite so badly, and she steps forward, cautious, but not trying to mask her steps too much so the princess knows where she is at any time.] It's me, Zelda... are you alright? That was quite the smack.

[Just gonna... get right up next to her; she won't grab Zelda's hand to look at it, but she does try to spy it from a comfortable distance, before offering her own hand in case the princess wants to proffer it. ] Have you been here all night? I didn't see you anywhere else.