"Of course, Your Grace," Josephine replied, the words feeling strange as they left her mouth, so long had she spent avoiding pronouncing them. Alas, they could be avoided no longer.
"I had been desiring a moment of your time, as well, as it happens," she continued, "but before I trouble you with such, how might I be of service to you?"
A light bow accompanied the question. Respectful, or intended to be. She always feared such gestures appeared as exceedingly servile, but alas, there was nothing to be done about it.