71 Time of Transition (1/2)

”No... oh no -- Hilde, why?”

Gisela had been looking behind her periodically as she walked, waiting for Hilde to catch up to the procession, which was largely only concerned about getting further inside the Royal Palace's walls. As such, she'd caught a glimpse of the latest development in the string of incidences that had been happening all day long. It was tempting to think everything was just part and parcel of the tragic but historic event that had just drawn officially to a close, but to Gisela, it felt like things were much more than that.

For one, this was clearly a time of transition if ever there was any. And it wasn't just for their country.

She drew to a complete stop, unmindful of the clucking and hissing of people coming from behind, which were silenced mid-sound as soon as they realized who had caused the hold-up.

When it occurred to some that they could simply go around the Princess and her mother because the formalities of the day can now be dispensed with, they did so, and the rest followed suit -- even the ones who'd seen in this a chance to start cozying up to them. They were much too tired to attempt scaling that wall this very night. They and many of the others just wanted to get out of their sweat-soaked clothes, wash off the dirt and stink from their skin, then find a soft surface somewhere and sleep, if they can.

For those who won't be able to, it would be enough to wait for the sun to rise so they'd know once and for all that this day was over.

In an aggrieved tone that was uncharacteristic of her, Gisela continued, ”She's been doing all these risky things, Mother, even before Lothar died. Now it's become worse. I never told her, I don't like many of what she's putting herself through -- I don't like that I can do nothing to stop her from hurting herself. I understand there's a need for Hilde to step up, but... I worry. What if there's something other than duty that is pushing her? Something more... sinister. Besides, Hilde never -- that is -- she never used to...”

When her daughter failed to come up with a politer way to put what she clearly meant to say, Lady Ilse interjected, ”Care about anyone but herself, yes.”

”Not entirely, Mother,” she replied in defense of her cousin. Still, she could not offer a stronger denial than, ”She's always looked out for me too.”

”I agree,” the Lady said. ”Which was how I could tell before that she wasn't completely irredeemable. I am not truly the best judge of that, though, love, and I would also prefer that your cousin not endanger herself at every available chance. But...” She paused as jumbled thoughts and observations from the day flashed behind her eyes and formed a semi-coherent whole. ”I find it best that the Princess Hilde... shows herself as she is, or perhaps 'would be,' from the very beginning. Time enough later to deal with the 'should be's' -- and there are many, from where I'm looking. However, my dear, right now... I need you to worry first about yourself. As your mother, I am asking you, please worry more for your own sake.”

Gisela didn't ask what her mother meant. She merely averted her gaze before nodding softly. Lady Ilse didn't offer anything else on that subject, returning instead to the original one.

”Your cousin...” she said with a glint in her eyes that one might take for amusement under the faint illumination. ”By and by, I'm finding my decision to leave Hilde on the road earlier... serendipitous. For various reasons, but for this best of all: it appears there is someone who will make a bride of her yet. Not that I'm satisfied with his country of origin, mind, but there might never be a better match out there for her.”

”Yes, but... um, Mother, I really don't think Hilde would be happy about that.”

”I don't think so either. I suspect it will only be the prince who'll rejoice over that union -- majority of Arnicans certainly would not. In fact, as we'd mentioned this morning, they would prefer for it to be you. Hah! As if I'd allow it.”

'I would raze this Queendom to the ground myself before I let that happen,' Lady Ilse added privately. Some things you're willing to do for another were best kept to yourself.

For the moment, they fell silent.