The Prince spoke and set out his scenario. Hildegarde had to admit it was a good choice: the situation bought together so many themes and so many subtleties. The answer was simple, of course. Deceptively so. And hence the danger. The question itself was a piece of political maneuvering...
This time, Hildegarde chose her pose. Astute watchers may have noticed a slight frown crease her forehead before she reclined into a reflective pose, head bowed in contemplation. She was turning the question over in her mind; she was playing for time, listening to what the others suggested. Most especially, she waited for Josephine to make her pitch. It was the Sanctified she needed to outplay.
"Let me see..." she drew the words out.
Her eyes locked on Josephine from under her mask.