Opal smiled. He was really very understanding and very kind. Why couldn't she have had him for an older brother, rather than Fanny as an older sister? Then she gave herself a silent shake. What was wrong with her today? She kept thinking and saying things she knew she shouldn't, because they were ungrateful. Still, she very much liked this king, and was glad he was so nice.
"I'm not allowed to contribute," she told him, secure in the knowledge that he would not use it against her. He was too nice to do that. "Others are told I'm mute, so I don't have to talk. But I've never tried it before. Just making noise."
Thinking about it, she hummed out a soft, "Mm-hmm." She waited a moment, then smiled. "Nothing." Then she blurted out, "Sometimes when I whisper, all that comes out are flowers."