44 The Funeral V (2/2)

Inge saluted blankly, faced the front once again, and ever-so-casually brought his left hand up to the handhold nearest him. Soon after, he was leaning some of his weight against it. Yet when the Prince's wheeled bier also began to move, it was through no help from him – or from any of the royal women, for that matter. Observing that part of the funeral rites was traditionally optional.

The Hilde of before would have done so, anyway, weakened or not. Wiser now, she also didn't expend energy to help push. She must preserve what she can of herself for the challenge ahead.

Though slow in pace, the funeral procession was soon well on its way. The head of the column was just exiting the courtyard through the archway when Hilde heard a female voice calling her frantically from behind. Glancing over other people's heads, she spotted Nadia fighting through the throng to reach her side.

She didn't even bother wondering where her attendant had been or what she'd been doing – just minutes ago, Hilde had been witness to the results of Nadia's labors. As she waited expectantly, it did cross Hilde's mind to wonder why no one had ever intervened over her poor choice of an attendant.

She was quick to conclude: it was probably for the same reasons no one ever bothered correcting her self- and image-destructive behavior all these years. Those who should have been the ones to love her wanted her to keep wallowing in her own filth.

Her eyes flicked towards her brother's face. 'Something had changed his mind,' she thought. 'If the Lord General is to be believed, that is.'

Nadia finally managed to squeeze her way as far as the soldiers surrounding her mistress. They would not budge even for the Princess' attendant. After pouting up at them, she addressed Hilde through the gap as they all kept taking small steps forward.

”One of Lady Saskia's assistants handed me medicine for you. He was told you could take it now if you already need it, later if not.”

Hilde did another swift assessment of her body and decided she didn't need to be dosed again just then. But a thought occurred to her.

”Let me have it.”

Her attendant handed her a dark blue crystal vial with sloshing liquid inside. Hilde un-stoppered it and gave it a sniff. Immediately, she held it away from her nose again, her face scrunching in disgust.

'Yep – Lady Saskia's all right.'

On the one hand, she really might need to take it later to continue keeping her symptoms at bay. On the other hand…

'Stout of heart, right?' she thought.

Out loud, she said, ”Hey, Inge…” The soldier, face already paler and beading with more sweat, turned. Hilde held up the open vial. ”Please drink this.”