Rudolf moved in a flash, placing himself between me and the shattered window, ready to shield me with his own body if another arrow came. The opposite window faced the ducal residence. An arrow wouldn't fly from there… unless it was the Duchess's gaze. That might actually wreck the carriage. I meant it as a joke, but with her it didn't feel entirely impossible.
The carriage remained stopped. The coachman didn't come to check on us—probably frozen in place. Rudolf leaned halfway out of the box and shouted to him:
"Don't move the carriage!"
He exchanged a few more words. Apparently Rudolf had decided no second arrow was coming. I had no way of knowing for sure.
"A messenger from His Grace has arrived," Rudolf reported while still hanging out the window. He spoke with the man for a moment, then slipped fully outside and opened the carriage door so the servant could see inside. The moment the servant laid eyes on the arrow stuck straight across in front of me, his face went white.
