Oh. She was ruining his secret place. Despite her excitement at getting to spend time with her husband, she really didn't want to take that away from him. She had a couple of spots inside the castle where she could hide away for a bit of time, not long because she didn't want those spots to be discovered and taken away from her, but long enough that she could just stop being a princess for a few minutes. She needed those spots. She needed that time alone.
Was that what Henry was doing tonight? Looking for time alone? That would explain why he was sneaking out the back, without any guards or anybody with him. And why he'd seemed sort of disappointed that he ran into her. Oh he was polite, he was always polite, and kind, but Opal could sense that he hadn't wanted to run into anybody.
He held the door waiting for her to go inside, but she didn't. Opal stood in the doorway looking at him as she bit her lip in thought, then lifted her hand because she knew she was going to have a lot of catching to do. “Of course I'll keep it a secret. I would never betray you. Ever. But... you don't have to take me if you don't want to. Secret places are special, and I don't want to ruin yours. So if you don't want to share this spot, I will understand. I can go to the meadow I was going to and watch the stars fall, and you can go to your secret place. It's alright, Henry. I would understand.”
She almost stuttered on his name, she used it so rarely. Truthfully, she spoke this much to him even more rarely. Not since their first meeting had she uttered so many words in his presence, and throughout her speech, she'd been automatically catching gems and flowers to dump them in the basket. But Opal had felt it important to let him know that she understood the value of time alone. He'd given her so much, a home and a life and his time, so she would give back to him whatever she could. Even if that meant giving up a chance to spend time with him.