But no matter the reason, a proper player would simply not put personal feelings first when so much else was at stake. Whatever else Queen Heloise was, she had always been capable at what she did. Hilde had trouble believing that the Queen's seeming incompetence at the moment was not an act.
She shifted again. At this point, she just wanted to shut off her mind. She wished there was also a way to stop the voice inside her own head from going on and on.
Gisela's gentle voice suddenly drifted from behind. "I need to use the outhouse, Mother."
Hilde stilled. She didn't turn.
"Our senior maids will accompany you, they know where it is. Do you also need me to come?"
She heard the smile in Gisela's reply, "Only if you also need to go. Hilde, shall we?" At this, the person named had no choi
