Twice Upon A Time (Unfinished Fairy Tales #2)(99)
“The magistrate has agreed to a re-schedule of the trial.” He looks straight at me, as though Mabel isn’t in the room.
“Great,” I say, managing a fake smile.
“And… I hate to disturb you, but my parents have requested an attendance.”
Finally. Ever since the trial, I’m surprised that my in-laws did not summon me for a private conversation. Or maybe Edward had already told them all they wanted to know. But now the inevitable has arrived.
I smooth my hair and straighten my skirts before I leave, but it turns out that the king and queen are already in the sitting room. I don’t know if it’s because of my ‘cold,’ or they can’t wait to see me.
The queen gives me a small smile, but the king sits with his arms folded. Clearly, they are here to talk to me about the problem of Katriona Bradshaw.
“Leave us.” The king snaps his fingers. Mabel drops a curtsy and scuttles out of the room. If there is anyone more intimidating than Edward, it has to be the king. His Majesty is said to be liberal-minded and conscientious, but I could tell he still has an authoritarian side. Edward prefers to argue in a roundabout manner whenever he gets into a disagreement with his father.
“Kat, dear,” the queen says, looking at me intently. “How are you feeling now?”
“The events that concern you recently have been enough to pen a sensational novel.” King Leon fixes a hard gaze on me. His gaze can be just as intense as Edward’s, but completely lacking in warmth. “First, we have a girl who looks exactly like you and claims to be the real daughter of Lady Bradshaw. And now Edward tells us that you have contracted an illness that cannot be cured, and you plan to leave the palace in three days.”
I open my mouth, but no sound comes out. All I can do is nod.
“Why didn’t you send for the palace physician?”
“Kat knows she cannot recover.” Edward holds my hand tightly. “It is quite certain.”
“Why didn’t you tell us until now?”
Edward gives an explanation about the disease being of a dormant kind that didn’t manifest its deadliness until recently. He also cites Dr. Jensen, and that it’s possible my barrenness is related to this disease. His calm, rational attitude makes my incredible situation sound convincing, and while the king and queen still look skeptical, they no longer stare at me like I’m a witch.
“This is dire.” The king looks grim. “We cannot afford a scandal. The whole country is abuzz with the news of you and your doppelg?nger. And how are we to explain to the people when they learn that you’re leaving the palace and my son will be left a widower?”
I don’t know what to say. And honestly, even if I tell them about the goblins, what can the king and queen do? I have to leave Athelia.
“Kat, is it absolutely necessary that you must go?”
“Yes.” I repress the urge to burst out crying. “I’m sorry.”
“In that case,” the king says slowly, “when you leave, Katriona Bradshaw should move into the palace. She will take your place.”
The queen and I gasp. Katriona Bradshaw—as Edward’s wife and princess of Athelia? I do want Edward to find happiness after I’m gone, but is it necessary to find someone who looks like me?
Edward stands up, his expression livid. “That’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard of.”
The king remains unperturbed. “Frankly speaking, it is too much trouble explaining to the press. If your illness is fatal, then the best thing to do is pretend that you’re alive. Let Katriona Bradshaw pose as you, and you can pretend to be the girl Bianca Bradshaw brought. We can inform the public that after the court trial, you realized the errors of the accusation and decided to disappear.”
I had thought that King Leon was a good father-in-law, and to be fair he has treated me with respect and courtesy, but when it comes to a situation like this, he chooses reputation over family. Anxious to preserve the royal image, the king is willing to manipulate matters and disregard his son’s feelings. He had warned me that I shouldn’t quarrel with Edward in public. No wonder he could make this callous suggestion.
“I will not accept that woman.” Edward’s tone is hard and flinty. “Kat cannot be carelessly replaced as though she were a cut of beef.”
“Sit down.”
He remains on his feet.
“Edward, sit down.”
I tug on his sleeve, and Edward reluctantly seats himself next to me.
“Remember that your privilege as the crown prince comes with a price. It is our duty to uphold moral values and set a model for our nation.”
Edward looks up, and I feel like my heart is shattering into a million pieces. He looks like a kid whose only toy is taken away. “I’ve done my best to adhere to your inculcations since I was a child. I promised that I would conduct myself with utmost propriety and never become a profligate like my grandfather. I never asked you for anything, except for the occasional leisure to tend to my garden, and the freedom to choose a wife I love. And now you deprive me of that freedom when Kat is gone.”
“Leon,” the queen says in a warning tone. “Enough of this. Can’t you see that he’s devastated by Kat’s illness?”
The king still looks stern, but when he speaks, his tone has softened considerably. “I understand that you are attached to Kat and unwilling to take another. As a matter of fact, I am not displeased of your refusal. I would not have you lack heart and emotion, like an automaton. However, I would ask that you pull yourself together after Kat leaves. Currently our nation is in an uproar of Katriona Bradshaw’s appearance. Reporters at our gates have been demanding for interviews. And Katriona’s name on the register alone is enough reason to bind her to you.”