Ever After (Unfinished Fairy Tales #3)(91)
There’s a long pause. The servant pops in and informs the king that Duke Philip has arrived from Northport and wishes to have a chat with him. Outside, dusk is falling. I should be getting back if I don’t want to navigate the streets in dark.
“I will talk to the ministers about this…idea about voting,” the king says. “You may stay at the palace tonight. It is getting late, and since the people are burning carriages in the streets, I doubt it is safe for you to leave now. Henry has returned, and it makes sense for you and Edward to return to the palace.”
Hope springs in my mind. This invitation means he has accepted me, no matter what my status is. A small step in my favor could mean a bigger step for the people in the future.
I rise and curtsy again. “Thank you, Your Majesty.”
44
Kat
I wake up, and for a moment I wonder if I’m dreaming. I’m in my bedroom—the one in the suite I share with Edward in the palace. There are roses in the big porcelain vase on my dresser, and more roses arranged in intricately carved boxes in the window. I recognize the roses from Edward’s garden. When I enter the study, there’s the windows seat, my books neatly stacked on the desk. It’s almost like I’ve never left.
“Princess!” Mabel is standing in the doorway, a large laundry basket in her arms. “You’re back!”
I run over and give her a big hug. “I’ve missed you.”
“When Amelie left, I’ve been counting the days when you could return,” she sniffs. “You can’t imagine how glad I am that you’ve come back at last. It just ain’t the same without you.”
I wish I could talk more with her, but this isn’t the time for casual conversation. The burning of carriages yesterday is still fresh on my mind. “Do you have a copy of the paper today?”
Mabel brings three copies from the sitting room. “I knew you’d want to read them, Princess. Call me if you need anything!”
I smile and thank her, feeling it’s just like old times. I have missed my life at palace. And then when I read the headlines, my heart sinks.
Nationwide Outrage: Protestors of Unfair Discrimination Arrested.
Oh no. As I read through the articles, I get the gist. After the people burned several carriages, the Metropolitan Police arrived and quashed the demonstration. There is a list of names of prominent figures in the protest. I locate Liam’s name among those who are imprisoned. Dang.
I toss the papers aside and call for Mabel.
“Have you seen the prince? Do you know where he is?”
“His Highness? He sees the king every day. Do you need me carry a message and let him know you’re here?”
“No, don’t bother. I’ll go there myself.”
Mabel looks surprised. “But they’re having a meeting! Won’t you wait until it’s over?”
“I’d rather wait there.”
I hurry to the receiving chamber, my heart pounding. What they are going to decide about the demonstration yesterday? Has the king has listened to my idea about democracy? I don’t know if I’m suggesting the right thing, but it’s the best method I can think of. Even if they have never heard of democracy before.
The servant outside greets me with wariness.
“Morning. Is Edward inside?” I ask right away.
The servant nods. Before I can ask him to fetch me a chair so I can wait, an angry voice floats out.
“They have to be punished!” Lord Sunderland is saying. “They destroyed my favorite carriage! We must mete a proper sentence! The people have to be taught their place.”
“Do you not worry that a severe punishment will only cause a backlash?” Edward’s voice, calm and collected. “Do you not even wish to discuss why the people set fire to your carriage?”
“It is all your fault for influencing them. You said in court we were lazy and selfish. And the people believed it.”
“I am not the one who made idiotic remarks in the paper. If you could open your eyes and realize how ridiculous you sounded, you will understand why the people are rebelling.”
“Then what can we do?” The king asks. “They cannot all be released. No matter the reason for the burning, they have committed a criminal offense in public.”
“Hang them.” A petulant, sullen tone. “Can’t be soft on those vermin.”
“Think carefully, Lord Westin,” Henry says. “I just came back from Moryn, and it is not a pretty sight. The emperor ordered that the police seize the people, but the opposite happened. The police refused to obey, and the consequences from the uprising is that the emperor is thrown into jail.”
“Katriona…I mean, Katherine, came yesterday,” the king says. I stand up straighter at the mention of my name. There’s no reaction from Edward; I guess the king must have sent a message yesterday, letting him know I wasn’t going back to Henry’s. “She had a most interesting proposition.”
“That abominable…” Lord Sunderland says, then breaks off. I’m guessing that Edward had shot him a withering glare.
“What did she say?”
The king outlines my suggestion of democracy. There’s a noise of outrage from Lord Sunderland; another lord mutters “Preposterous!” But there is another voice on my side, and it’s not coming from Edward.