Twice Upon A Time (Unfinished Fairy Tales #2)(36)
Feeling worried, I do my best to curtail Elle’s visit, lest she blab to other people that I’ve lost my memories again. I hate making myself urge her to leave—she’s been nothing but kind and friendly—but I can’t risk it. For the umpteenth time, I wish I’d never arrived in this storybook world.
16
“The king and queen request an attendance with you,” Amelie informs me one morning, as she laces me into a harebell blue dress with a square neckline and white ruffles on the skirts. Elegant, refined, and respectable. Trust Amelie to pick the most appropriate outfit according to my schedule. “You are to report to the king’s receiving chamber after breakfast.”
Uh-oh. I have an ominous instinct that I’m not going to like this conversation. So far, from the daily routine of sharing breakfast (and sometimes lunch and dinner) with Edward’s parents, they have treated me with kindness and concern. But if this is going to be about my quarrel with Edward…it’d be much easier that they were indifferent. Like, they should have more important things to worry about than their son’s married life.
On the other hand, part of me is gratified that my in-laws care about Edward and I. They’re willing to accept me, an outspoken girl who defies Athelian rules, just because Edward loves me. They didn’t try to force Edward to marry some other aristocratic lady who’d fulfill traditional expectations, like Bianca or Claire.
The king’s receiving chamber is located next to his suite that he shares with the queen. It’s magnificently furnished in the crimson-gold theme of the palace, with four upholstered chairs sitting on a carpeted dais, and several other smaller chairs forming a semi-circle in front of the dais. When I arrive, King Leon and Queen Isolde are already sitting on the upholstered chairs, conversing in low voices.
“Katriona.” The king gestures me to come forward, then snaps his fingers at the servant who brought me, telling him to close the door.
The queen smiles and pats the chair next to her. “Over here, Katriona.” When I hesitate, she adds, “You’re officially princess now. Your seat is here with us.”
I sit down gingerly and fold my hands in my lap, adhering to what Edward had taught me of Athelian customs. “Father. Mother.” The words come out more naturally than I expected, and for which I’m glad. I’m supposed to have lived at the palace for a year by now, so it’s no longer awkward for me to call the king and queen as family.
“I suppose you’re wondering why we summoned you to the receiving chamber…or maybe not.” The queen observes my face closely; I make myself meet her eye for a moment before looking away. “Normally Leon and I would rather not pry into your affairs, but it seems that this…lack of harmony between you and Edward, seems to be lasting longer than we presumed.”
There’s a tightness in the king’s face as he speaks. “It is reported that you had an argument yesterday afternoon, and it ended with you slamming the door on him.”
I dig my nails into my palm as I remember how it went. I was feeling bad that I missed Paige’s graduation. I wanted to go for a stroll in the gardens, when I met Edward in the corridor. After learning where I planned to go, he had signaled to Bertram, indicating that I be followed. Frustrated at being watched every time I leave the suite, I had told him bitingly that I’m not his prisoner and retreated to my room.
“Katriona.” The king’s voice contains a harsh intonation, but I’m sure it would be even harsher were I not his daughter-in-law. “I do not know what it is that happened between you two, nor do I wish to ask unless necessary, but let me remind you that as part of the royal family, you have a role to play. I would highly recommend that you refrain from having a disagreement in public.”
“What he means is that we are supposed to set an example for our people,” the queen says, in a gentler tone. “As much as we’d like to maintain a private life that’s free from inquisitive eyes, such is not our lot. You must learn to conduct your speech and behavior with the constant reminder that people are watching.”
“I’m sorry.” I bite my lip. I know it’s unseemly for me to shout at Edward in the corridor.
“Of course we cannot expect you to be on amiable terms all the time, but whenever you come close to a conflict, please remember to keep it behind closed doors.” The king lets out a sigh. “My father had a bitter relationship with his wife, and took mistress after mistress during his reign. My mother did not take it kindly and they would often have shouting matches in the palace.”
“It is only part of the reason why the late king was highly unpopular,” the queen says. “Still, the public was much appalled by the nastiness in the royal family, and Leon was careful to ensure that we project a model of conjugal felicity.”
If they had tried to instill these principles in Edward since he was a child, no wonder he’s so repressed. It’s likely that his emotions had been so frequently kept in check that he found my liberal outlook both attractive and appealing.
“You are an intelligent girl.” The king directs me an intense look that reminds me of Edward. “I do not doubt that you have understood the meaning of this meeting, and that we may expect that this incident between you and Edward will not occur again.”
But we’re not machines. I can’t flip a switch and suddenly everything is magically repaired. The best I can do is to think before I speak, and make sure that I won’t manifest any negative feelings when there are servants around.