Ever After (Unfinished Fairy Tales #3)(97)
King Leon crosses his arms and glares at Liam. “Where is Quinn?”
“I have no idea, Your Majesty.” Liam’s voice is low. “I did not agree to his scheme in the beginning; he assured me the goal was not murder, but to warn the MPs we seriously believe that the flaws in our system ought be corrected. Had I known the…the consequences, I would have attempted to stop him.” He hangs his head. “I never meant to harm Edward.”
There is a long, long pause. I dart a glance at the king, who’s breathing heavily.
The king taps his fingers on his knees. “I do not preside over the judicial court; I cannot make any guarantees about the judge’s decision. However, I will issue a royal pardon that is certain to lessen your sentence, provided you meet these conditions: you will convince Quinn to turn himself in, and in the future there will be no more acts of violence.”
Liam swallows. “I could try, but…”
“It’s not enough,” I say. “The public may condemn the bombing, but their memories are short-lived. If another harsh winter falls, or if Augustin is overthrown, the people will be roused to radical proclivities again. There has to be something done to assure the people they will be fairly treated, and we are different from the Moryn emperor.”
“Very well.” The king stands up. “I cannot abolish the peerage—I must honor the titles that their ancestors were bestowed, but I shall sign a nationwide proclamation, declaring that all future MPs will be decided by the people.”
Liam looks up. I suck in a deep breath. The king hasn’t even discussed with his ministers—does he have the power to uproot the current MPs in Parliament?
“You have my word as your sovereign, Liam Charingford,” the king says loftily—I can tell how Edward got his imperial tone and manner. “Do you agree to this arrangement, or shall I request the Metropolitan Police to deal directly with you instead?”
Liam bows. “I agree.”
After Liam is escorted from the receiving chamber, the king turns to me.
“Now, Katherine. How do we implement this system of voting?”
47
Kat
I return to the suite, my long, silken skirts rustling at my ankles. For the rest of my life, I won’t be able to wear a skirt that goes above my knees, unless in private. A pearl necklace hangs around my neck, my head is heavy with the elaborate coiffure Amelie had done this morning. It’s remarkable how quickly I’ve adjusted back to my life in the palace—it almost feels like I’ve never left. However, there’s a huge difference in our daily routine. Since Edward is advised not to walk frequently due to his broken ankle, our roles have reversed. Every morning, I go to the council meeting with his father and advisors, while he stays behind and deals with my never-ending pile of letters. A few council members raise objection, but they’re in the minority. And when I offer suggestions on how many MPs should be elected according to the eligibility of voters, the anonymity of the voters, the strict prohibition of bribes, no more objections have been reported.
Parliament has been dissolved until the new batch of MPs will be elected, but as there are numerous laws that need to be improved and introduced, we hope that the next session can be reopened as soon as possible. We want to re-introduce the taxing of the aristocrats (and the monarchy as well). The peers will still be richer than most people, of course, but we’ll have more funding for food rations, schools, and other public spending. Edward also talks of gradually revoking the privileges for the peers. For example, there should be one court for all—all nobles and people will be tried in the same place, by the same juries. This means that in the future, aristocrats like Lord Fremont will never escape the law.
When I enter my office, Edward is sitting at my desk, where I used to occupy. His left foot is bandaged, and there’s a walking stick propped against the wall. Every time I see him limping, I have an urge to pummel Charlie Quinn for planting that bomb. Speaking of Quinn, he had turned himself in to the Metropolitan Police and protested he never planned for murder, but only destruction of property. Most of the people and peerage had been deeply shocked by the bombing, and when King Leon made a national announcement of the dissolving of Parliament, it was likely that Quinn could not continue with his rebellion. He received a fifteen-year sentence in jail, while the other members, Liam included, were sentenced to several years or unpaid labor reconstructing the Parliament building.
Edward raises his head and smiles, his eyes glowing with affection. Every time I see how he lights up in my presence, I feel that everything I’ve sacrificed for coming to Athelia has been worth it. I pull up a chair and sit close to him, nestling against his shoulder.
“This morning I have received news that greatly pleases me.”
“What is it?” I kiss his cheek. “Your father has allowed us take a week off?”
“I’d desire that as well, but perhaps not until Parliament reopens. Actually, High Court has ruled the Pembrokes guilty of treason. Bianca will be stripped of her title and wealth. She will serve five years of hard labor on a small island near Lochmond, and then she will be evicted from the country, never to return. As for her husband, he can keep his title, but all his assets will be seized and transferred to public funds. He will never be allowed to run office; indeed, he will be hardly different from a commoner.”