“I think you should take your idea to the King-in-Waiting and discuss it with him,” I dutifully suggested to her.
She was silent a long time. When she spoke, her voice was pitched very low, for my ears alone. “I think not. He will consider it another one of my foolishnesses. He will listen for a bit, and then begin to look at the maps on the wall, or move things about on his table as he waits for me to finish so he can smile and nod and send me on my way. Again.” Her voice hoarsened on the last word. She brushed the hair back from her face, then brushed at her eyes again. She turned from me to look out over the sea again, as distant as Verity when he Skilled.
She’s crying?
I could not conceal from Verity my annoyance that this surprised him.
Bring her to me. Now, at once!
“My queen?”
“A moment.” Kettricken looked aside from me. With her face away from me, she pretended to be scratching her nose. I knew she brushed at tears.
“Kettricken?” I ventured the familiarity as I had not for months. “Let us go to him now with this idea. At once. I will go with you.”
She spoke hesitantly, not turning to look at me. “You do not think it is foolish?”
I would not lie, I reminded myself. “I think that as things stand, we must consider any possible sources of aid.” As I spoke the words I found I believed them. Had not both Chade and the Fool hinted, no, pleaded for this very idea? Perhaps Verity and I were the ones who were shortsighted.
She took a shuddering breath. “We shall do it, then. But … you must wait for me outside my chamber. I wish to fetch several scrolls to show him. I will be but a short time.” She turned to Patience, spoke more loudly. “Lady Patience, might I ask you to finish these plants for me as well? I have something else I wish to attend to.”