– I can't ask you to stay in the palace on a day like this, my lord," I heard Andrada's voice, and it snapped me out of my musings. She was walking toward me, so cold and beautiful, and she was carrying a silver goblet. – Here, drink this. It will replenish your strength. – She stopped beside me and handed me the goblet.
– You always take care of me," I murmured, and took it from her. I grinned wryly as I looked into it, the same potion Andrada used to give me every now and then. – To your health, my beautiful sorceress! – I drained the cup in one goblet and handed the empty vessel to Andrada.
She smiled, nodded, and wanted to pass by, but suddenly, without knowing why, I gently grabbed her elbow. Andrada immediately looked up at me in surprise.
– Court etiquette does not insist that magicians should be present at the memorial days, but I would like to see you in the church, – I said, scrutinizing the delicate graceful features of Andrada's face. This woman was not only beautiful and intelligent, but also had a unique charm. She was cold, but that was what attracted me, and I knew that not one but many men in the palace desired her or were even in love with her. But this proud daughter of Emmerlend never paid attention to the effect she was having on the hearts of these poor men.
– If you wish it, Your Majesty," Andrada nodded and gently released herself from my soft but insistent grip. – But you must hurry: the carriage and your subjects are waiting for you. Your mother and your daughters have already gone to the church, and Princess Hedda is already there.
– Let's go now. Enough talk," Vit rumbled, touching my black leather boot with his big paw.
– I'll meet you there, Andrada," I said, and continued on my way.
The snow leopard trotted along beside me.
Mark was waiting for me in the palace hall. He helped me into a wide black fur cloak, placed a heavy gold crown on my head, begged me in vain to put on fur gloves, and then walked me to the carriage. Wit jumped into the cushioned seat, I sat down beside him, and the carriage started toward the church where Sylvia and I had been married. It was there that every year a solemn mass was held in memory of the deceased king, and every year Hedda knelt before the altar, all the while the mass lasted several hours. This gave me a certain admiration and respect for Hedda, for I myself almost fell asleep sitting on the first bench from the altar. The monotonous chants and the Cardinal's nasal voice were like a lullaby to me. Fortunately, Alva and Villa kept me awake during the mass.
The square outside the church, full of smoke from the burning torches held by thousands of townspeople and peasants, was noisy, but when the door of my carriage opened and I appeared before the crowd, the royal horn blared and there was perfect silence. My arrival marked the beginning of mass, during which it was forbidden to speak even in whispers, which, however, was often broken.
Wit had disappeared.
As I entered the church and made my way to my pew, where my mother and daughters were already seated, I saw Hedda, and her mournful look made me cringe at the thought that I was a full quarter of an hour late. But Hedda did not seem to hold a grudge against me; when she saw me, she smiled softly and held out to me the palm of her hand, which was covered with a velvet black glove.
