55 Misperceptions (2/2)

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Remaining in his place, Leal was excusing himself from a noblewoman seeking to engage him when a sudden wave of whispers alerted all of Queen Heloise's order to return to the Royal Palace.

She was already standing at the mouth of the dirt path that slashed across the meadow, surrounded by silent maids and the Royal Guards that were not currently on loan. To all appearances, she was ready to depart.

”Queen,” said the Royal Officiate, ”the Princess Hilde is still within the royal tombs.”

At this, those who had not noticed looked around and found that it was true. Most of these people were the same ones who'd jumped quickly into position after the Queen gave her order.

The tall and pale woman nodded, and for a moment, the paunchy Officiate relaxed, but then she answered, ”The funeral is over. Those who wish to stay behind may do so. Let us not inconvenience those who need to rest in better comfort.”

At those words, a subtle polarization once again appeared among the people present. Given the state that the Lord General's wife was in, she was obviously one of those in need of better comfort. How were they to give her that when she could not yet move on her own? Who here had enough strength left to them to carry her all the way back to the Palace?

There were plenty of other individuals and families in the same predicament. Because the Queen had ostensibly given her permission for anyone to stay if they wished, about a fourth of the crowd made no move to join the return procession.

Lord Alfwin left his family's side to tell his monarch, ”If it proves needful, Queen, my family and I would avail of a carriage to return. Whether we'd need one or not, it would be best that we wait for the streets to clear. I beg for your understanding.”

”Of course.”

With that simple agreement, the Queen began to lead the procession back. Among those who opted to go with her, some scurried to fall in line but many took their own time – the only thing these groups had in common was that the monarch didn't witness how they had handled themselves, but this probably wouldn't occur to at least one of the two.

Behind his look of indifference, Leal scoffed in disdain at the departure of those who did not seem to have healthy self-respect mixed in with those who did. He was grateful for the reminder anyway – few would trust those who so obviously wanted something in return for what they do. As far as Arnicans were concerned, he was guilty of this. The difference, or so he liked to think, was that he wouldn't deny it if asked.

Speaking of which…

Leal turned back towards the royal tomb's entrance. In the process, his gaze slid over the Lord General, who was now speaking with a servant. Perhaps he'd been hasty in many of his judgments of the older man and his motivations. Among other things, from the glimpses he'd seen of her thus far, it didn't seem like the Lord totally lacked a capable heir.

Two highborn women with the potential to become military officers… what were the chances that that was a coincidence?

Struggling to control his temper, Leal bit off in his own tongue, ”None.”