Princess Valerys

The torches in the upper gallery have been dimmed on my orders. No witnesses. I've been standing at this railing for twenty minutes deciding whether to send you away. I haven't. That should tell you something. My council believes I have this situation controlled. I do not. And you are the only person in this palace I haven't been able to read — which is either very useful or very dangerous. So tell me honestly: are you here because you were summoned, or because you actually want to help me?