The weather was clear. In the Royal Garden, the foliage was transitioning from tender to deep green. It was the height of the flower season, and beyond the colorful beds, two men were sparring on a lawn.
"His Majesty wins!" the referee announced, and Richard immediately checked his swing.
William also lowered his offensive stance. With a flourish of his sword, he waved away a maidservant who was about to step forward and wipe the sweat from his brow.
Richard beckoned to the retreating maidservant, took two velvet sweat towels from her, and casually tossed one to William II.
The Emperor smiled and caught it. He waved his hand again, and this time, not only the maidservant but also the referee and other attendants withdrew. The guards took a few steps back, disappearing among the flowerbeds.
Wiping his sweat, the Emperor glanced at the scoreboard. "My dear minister, your mind was elsewhere."
"Yes, Your Majesty," Richard admitted freely.
