"So soon!" exclaimed Lady Ilse, her relief causing her to half-rise from her chair.
She and the Queen exchanged a brief look, then the latter said, "Understood, Steward. We shall be down momentarily."
The Royal Steward was about to nod but paused all of a sudden. "'Down,' Queen?"
"Yes," Queen Heloise answered briefly. "If there are others waiting to speak to me, please inform them it may have to wait until after the funeral."
After another moment, the elderly man completed his nod and left. As soon as the door closed, Lady Ilse collapsed in her chair.
"Oh, thank goodness."
"Perhaps it was lucky, after all, that Hilde's with them," said the Queen. "Four Arnican soldiers may have looked ceremonial rather than a sign of distrust." About to rise from her chair, she added, "It was a lesso
