They both tightened their grip on the box and thus began the most dignified tug-of-war in servant history.
Agatha pulled but Mikael pulled back.
The box slid between them a few inches then stopped.
Agatha leaned her weight backward, Mikael adjusted his footing as the package creaked ominously.
Both of them froze as they stared at the box.
Then slowly loosened their pull just enough to prevent whatever fragile—and extremely suspicious—contents were inside from breaking.
They resumed pulling.
"Let go," Agatha hissed.
"Ladies first," Mikael replied pleasantly.
She yanked harder.
He didn't move.
Instead he leaned closer and lowered his voice.
"You do realize," he said, "that a mysterious drone delivering a package directly to My Lady's balcony is a little suspicious."
Agatha's expression did not change.
"I have no idea what you're talking about."
He gently tugged the box toward himself.
She jerked it back immediately.
