The soldiers are counting heads right now. We'll mingle with the crowd in the confusion. That way, nobody will realize we were ever gone.
Obscured Merchant
...Did you hear something?
Indistinct Officer
It must be some little house pest. Don't overthink it. How's a room so cramped going to hide anyone?
Allerdale
Phew...
She carefully, gingerly cowers inside the shadow. Her most loyal ally—the tremendous suit of steam armor—becomes her shield.
Her fingers feel to the edge of the window, and if she can just climb over and out, she can avoid this duo's line of sight, and climb down the gutter pipe.
Her skirt's filthy by now. Ailshie won't be happy about this.
Did you see? Her Royal Highness Alexandrina came back with the missing Sighs of Kings!
Noble Gentleman
The cheers from the gardens were practically shaking all the windows and walls. Hardly anyone believed their own eyes. Her Highness Alexandrina in the flesh—and her age, how young is she still?
Noble Lady
'A miracle,' everyone's calling it.
Noble Gentleman
Yes, a miracle, of course it is.
Noble Gentleman
The greatest difference between miracles and coincidence is that miracles never descend for no reason in the time and place they do.
Noble Gentleman
It'll be His Majesty's birthday soon... How could I not consider this magical affair a splendid portent of things to come?
Noble Lady
Do give that a rest. They put on this whole auteur-styled drama for the merriment of anyone watching.
Noble Lady
What I'm suddenly minding is the opinion some dukes have of His Majesty and our Duke of Cumberland...
Noble Gentleman
Leave it there. All worries on the backburner, now. The dinner party's about to begin.
Noble Lady
You're quite right. Let's enjoy everything here to the fullest—
...It seems the people's attentions are on Alexandrina's adventure.
Sullen Voice
Your Majesty... you knew beforehand Her Highness would enter the cavern underground?
Impassioned Voice
It was a fine opportunity. With me out of the Palace, the diligent guards could more easily chatter, or perhaps sleep on the job, and thus let this little intruder of ours slip by.
Sullen Voice
So you planned all this.
Impassioned Voice
Half was his fine improvisation. He does like a harmless little practical joke on us humans now and then.
Sullen Voice
If he went along with this, does that imply he, too, considered this a necessary deed?
Impassioned Voice
...Londinium will be soon for summer. Awfully stuffy days, and torrents of rain from time to time. You're planning to send Allerdale and the wife out of the city yourself, aren't you?
Sullen Voice
Your Majesty! My intention has always been but one, I simply...
Impassioned Voice
Robert, you adore your daughter, as do I.
Impassioned Voice
We are to wager everything for Victoria's present, but they are Victoria's future. On the off-chance we do fail...
Sullen Voice
We will not, Your Majesty. I will ensure the worst case does not happen, if it takes my very life.
Impassioned Voice
I'm filled with great courage and confidence at our prospects. Still, it doesn't hinder me from planning just the most minute escape option for Alexandrina.
Impassioned Voice
She'll be ruling Victoria sooner or later. Is it so wrong to have her get to grips with this city in advance?
Impassioned Voice
And a similar farce still more or less served to right the balance, on this stifling-seeming afternoon.
Impassioned Voice
Under all this pressure, the people's spirits need a little boost. That is what we're met here for.
Impassioned Voice
......
Impassioned Voice
Of course... we all have some premonition. Hence why we made these calculations, correct?
Sullen Voice
......
Impassioned Voice
Come, Robert. Once you're done with your tea, we'll be due downstairs.
