Step Aside from the Stage of History

A few logs were tossed into the fireplace. The flames flared higher, bathing the spacious parlor in a warm, flickering orange-red glow. Now and then, the wood gave a faint crackle, sending a few fleeting golden sparks into the air.

Frederick had been standing by the window for a long time. The winter dusk was rapidly swallowing the distant mountains.

The Grand Duke of Mainz was prodding several Elizabeth Potatoes in the ashes with a poker. His expression was grave, and his gaze seemed fixed on an infinitely distant point.

Since morning, he had been thinking about a plan of action Frederick had proposed, one that concerned the future of the entire Rhine Alliance.

It had begun with Frederick analyzing the Queen's conduct in the Rhine Alliance.

"Antonia alone," he began slowly, his voice as still as a frozen lake, not stirring a ripple, "would never dare interfere so brazenly in the Rhine Alliance's affairs of state."

He turned around. The light in the sky shone from behind him, leaving his face in shadow. Only his icy blue eyes gleamed, bright as a frigid lake beneath the winter sky.

"The Queen may be fond of luxury, or she may like fine jewels," Frederick said, the corner of his mouth lifting slightly, "but she isn't foolish enough to cross the political red line."

"She might make demands of the King for her own enjoyment—for instance, that palace whose stair-rail pattern she still hasn't settled on—but she wouldn't interfere in state affairs or military matters."

The Grand Duke of Mainz paused with his wineglass at his lips, then took one last sip.

"You mean..." he asked slowly.

"Someone must be backing her," Frederick replied, his tone decisive, edged with a hint of menace. "Or, rather, someone is directing her."

"Antonia is merely