“What happened, Grandmama ?” Zosina enquired.
“I bypassed the welcoming parade of soldiers lining the streets by approaching the border from a different direction,” the Queen Mother answered. “I had learned that the Royal party from Lützelstein, who had been travelling for several days were to stop at a certain inn just inside my father’s Kingdom for refreshment and to tidy up and make themselves look presentable before they entered our Capital in state.”
Zosina was entranced by the story, sitting forward on the seat, her eyes on her grandmother’s face.
“I often wonder now how I had the temerity to do anything so outrageous,” the Queen Mother said, “but I waited by some trees until I saw the Prince and his entourage come out of the inn. They were laughing and talking and their horses al
