“And if it takes time for you to call me Mother, you may call me whatever you wish. But you were about to ask me something, were you not?”
Avery hesitated. “I don’t mean to imply anything, but I was just wondering if you did not see me last night?”
“Why, no! I only learned later that the festivities were in your honor. I’m so sorry to have spoiled your party.”
“Oh, not at all. I just—”
“Naturally you had to wonder,” the queen said. “Truth is, I was barely conscious and could hardly see, and I don’t know what I would have done had your father not intercepted me when he did.”
“Think no more of it, ma’am,” Avery said, deciding now was not the time to tell the queen that she didn’t want to be here. How she wanted to ask Elizabeth about Kendrick!
“Oh, how precious! You’re wearing the ruby flower necklace. Your father gave that to me the day you were born.” Her eyes clouded. “That day began as the best of my life and ended as the worst.”
“You should have the necklace back,” Avery said, but the queen shook her head.
“It is right that you have it. Tell me, Avery, are you happy?”
Though she nodded and mustered the best smile she could, Avery knew she had not responded quickly enough for this perceptive woman. Elizabeth whispered, “It’s all right. I wasn’t happy here either. Why do you think I waited so long to return?”
You waited? You could have come back sooner?
As if reading Avery’s thoughts, Elizabeth said, “My life was in danger every day. Even my midwives were spies. Angelina, my own sister, wanted me dead and threatened to kill me herself. When she assigned the wise old woman the task of poisoning me, the woman gave me sleeping powder instead and transported me into the village.
“I vowed never to return to the castle until Angelina was dead. I created a new identity and life for myself—selling fish in the market. When my dearest friend told me Angelina was no more, it was time.”
“You knew my mother,” Avery said.
The queen smiled. “The only person I trusted here. When I learned she was raising you, I was so relieved to know you were in good hands, far from the prying eyes of the court. Your mother spun the most wonderful stories.”
“I miss her so,” Avery said, quickly realizing how that might sound. “I’m sorry.”
Elizabeth squeezed her hand tighter. “I do, too, but missing her is a good thing.”
“Why?”
“Not everyone has someone worth missing in their lives.”
Elizabeth’s eyes filled and she let go of Avery’s hand, closing her eyes. “You should go…”
Avery turned to leave, but the queen added, “…home.”
Avery turned back. “What did you say?”
“Forgive me,” the queen slurred. “The medic gave me something, and my eyes are heavy.”
“May I ask one more thing?”
“Mm-hm.”
Avery worried she had fallen asleep. “How did you get back here? Who brought you?”
Barely above a whisper, eyes still closed, she mumbled, “Dearest friend…long protected me…kept me…informed about you. Ever need help…should go to him. Babs.”
When Avery was sure the queen was asleep, she bent to kiss the back of her hand. And recognized the faint scent.
Fish. Just like the fishwife.
Chapter 29
The Announcement
Avery had her attendants put out the word that she wanted to see Babs at his earliest convenience.
In the meantime, she sent out her first—and she hoped last—royal decree. Official court criers announced throughout the castle that all thirteen-year-olds—the rebels about to be pardoned as well as those still living in the tunnels—were to convene in the Great Hall for their last midnight court.
When she met with the king in the war room for what he called her tutorial, she had still heard nothing from Babs. But the announcement of the meeting of the kids had already created a genuine stir. Because of the pardon and the fact that the invitation had come from Avery herself, even those still in hiding were planning on coming. For many it would be their first time showing themselves outside the confines of the kids’ area or—now—the tunnels.
Avery thanked the king again for releasing all the thirteen-year-old rebels, except Edward.
“That proved good counsel from you, Daughter. I have been accepting gratitude and congratulations from throughout the realm since it was announced. The only detractors are among my advisors, but they know better than to oppose me.”
“What are they worried about? Surely they know that putting a bunch of kids to death would send a terrible signal.”
“They don’t trust the kids, that’s all. And they seriously don’t trust Edward. They think I should banish him to solitary confinement so he has no way of communicating to his comrades.”
“They think he could stage another rebellion from inside the dungeon?”
The king shrugged. “They’re just insulted for me at the rebels’ impudence. They’ll come to see that the pardon itself shows strength because it’s dismissive. It says these kids are nothing to worry about.”
“And have you decided on Edward’s sentence?”
“I have not. He could be charged with treason, of course, punishable by death, but I’ve instructed prosecutors to lessen the offense to insubordination.”
“That is most generous, Your Majesty. What’s the penalty for that?”
“I’ll let the court decide, and if it still sounds excessive, I’ll personally plead for leniency.”
Avery studied him. “You have more than changed your stance on this, Excellency. You’ve revolutionized it.”
“Let’s just say I trust my two closest advisors—of whom you are one.”
“And the other?”
“Your mother. When I laid out the scenario to the queen, including the fact that I granted your wishes for the pardon, the lesser charge and the leniency were her ideas. You two do have a lot in common and will reflect wonderfully on my legacy.”
Well, she might, but I won’t. But this was hardly the time to say so.
“You’ll be happy to know,” he said, “that your throne is finished and will be in place for your gathering tonight.”
The tutorial on matters of state was as boring as it sounded, and Avery found herself antsy to prepare for her meeting with Babs and then the midnight court. She was already memorizing an address she hoped would impress her friends. What a wonderful reunion it would be!
Avery didn’t know whether Babs was avoiding her—not a prudent thing to do, though he had to know she would not make him suffer for it—or if he was in hiding, afraid for his life. It would only make sense that he feared his taking the princess to the dungeon would get back to the king.
Avery hoped he didn’t think that her asking for a meeting was a trap and that he would be thrown into the tower prison. He had to know she pushed for the pardon of the rebels. That should tell him she would also protect him.
But by that evening, Babs was still nowhere to be found. Avery was able to push that from her mind as her ladies-in-waiting spent hours in her quarters making sure she was even more striking than she had been the night before. Though she still believed she would never rival her birth mother’s beauty, even she had to admit—she had never felt so pretty from head to toe as when they were finished.
Kate said, “You do look like your mother. The queen, I mean. You could be mistaken for her in some of those old portraits.”
“I wish I could believe that,” Avery said. “I just want the rest of the kids to be proud of me. I can’t wait to see them all again.”
A few minutes before midnight, the ladies walked her down to the Great Hall, and she stood before the entrance as she had with the king the night before. The room had been redecorated and rearranged for the kids, and she could hear their boisterous conversations from inside the double doors. She was more nervous now than last even
ing, but there was no time to stress over it.
A uniformed announcer bowed as he passed her, and guards swept the doors open simultaneously. The announcer called out, “Ladies and gentlemen!” and the room hushed as the kids seemed to turn as one. “Her Royal Highness, Princess Avery!”
She felt as if she were gliding as the many friends she had known so long bowed or curtseyed as she passed. They had only played at this before, choosing junior kings and queens who pretended they had grown up to become royalty.
Avery could hardly believe this was real. She felt self-conscious about all the formality, but the kids were doing what was expected of them, just as she was. Avery knew this was temporary, so she would play the role.
As she strode toward the front of the Hall, she passed the girls who had been patient when she nearly burned down the kitchen. She greeted them, and they looked shy, perhaps not yet knowing what to make of all this.
There was the mousy chaplain who had led the kids in the beautiful chapel upstairs.
Next, the seamstresses who had worked with Kate to perfect Angelina’s wedding gown.
Ilsa stood in a small group, her eyes downcast.
Avery kept scanning for Thomas. Her deadline had just passed. His older brother was sure to visit her that very night, demanding results. And I will be ready.
She mounted the steps to the dais that led to the king’s throne. Interesting. Queen Elizabeth’s throne had been brought out of storage and sat next to his. And next to hers, about three-quarters its size, stood Avery’s exact replica.
She positioned herself in the center before the three thrones, her stomach in knots, and hoped she could remember the speech she had spent hours on.
When Avery turned to face the crowd, Tuck smiled at her from way in the back, which relaxed her and gave her confidence.
Suddenly, looking into the faces of all these fellow thirteen-year-olds she had come to love, Avery changed her mind about the formal speech. She would just speak from her heart. She might now be their princess, and she would play that to the hilt for their enjoyment, but they also needed to know she would never let it come between them.
Avery had used her position to gain their freedom, but she wanted it to be clear from the start that she would never treat them as less than equals. If they wanted to put her on a pedestal—hopefully just for the fun of it—fine. But that she had suddenly become royalty—or had been discovered to be royal—was an accident of birth. Lucky perhaps, and no doubt many a kid’s dream, but an accident all the same.
“It is good to see you all again,” she began, and it seemed to her the rebels cheered the loudest. The day before, they would not have expected to be here. “Thank you for coming.”
With humor in his tone, someone called out, “Like we had a choice!” and the kids burst into laughter. Avery affected an overdone shrug, and they howled.
She became aware of her power when she raised a hand and they all immediately fell so silent that she believed she could hear a feather hit the floor.
“We’ve been through a lot together, haven’t we? Good and bad, we’ll carry it all in our hearts the rest of our lives. We celebrated birthdays and holidays; we observed a wedding. Though we laughed often and ate well, we suffered loss and grief. We witnessed a grand spectacle that erupted into an inferno.
“We protected each other from danger—from being discovered—and we accomplished a mass relocation against all odds. Above all, we built friendships—bonds that will never break. I hope our time within these walls has strengthened our courage and deepened our resolve to continue making a difference, regardless our age.”
Though an ocean of tears welled up inside, Avery forged ahead. “It gives me great pleasure to announce that as of right now, this very night, you are free. All of you. The king’s pardon, which freed all who had been confined to the dungeon, applies to all the rest of you in the castle.”
Cheers tore through the crowd, but Avery didn’t slow down. “No more hiding! No more looking over your shoulders! No more wondering whom you can trust!”
She let the ovation continue until the kids were ready for more. “That means you’re free to go, to leave the castle and never come back—if that’s your choice. And no one will stop you.”
Again they erupted, and she waited. Someone began the chant, “Long live the princess!” and the rest picked it up, shouting until she finally had to quiet them again.
“But if you stay choose to stay…”
“Why would we stay?” someone demanded, and others shouted over each other in agreement.
“Now hear me out—I’m about to tell you. If you choose to stay, it will be as family.”
“What are you saying?”
“What do you mean, stay?”
“Family?”
“Let her speak!”
“Look around!” Avery said. “These are your brothers and sisters. You will be given places to stay and food to eat. You will be assigned jobs—responsibilities. And while you may not get rich here, you won’t ever have to wonder if you play an important role. Everyone who stays will become a member of the royal staff.”
Bedlam broke out. Those who weren’t applauding were embracing, and it seemed everyone was shrieking. Avery wondered if some of these friends had ever been made to feel they belonged somewhere. Tuck raised a fist to her, smiling and nodding, and she was pleased to have not let him down. She only wished Kendrick were alive to see this.
Avery concluded, “Let me or my staff know your decision so we can assign you a job and find you a place to stay.”
Most of the kids remained in the Hall, excitedly talking. Only a few exited—Ilsa among them.
Avery was surprised by her own reaction to this. It made her sad. She wished Ilsa would stay and find work and see that her peers accepted her—all of them, not just her small entourage. What could be waiting for her outside?
Many kids crowded around to talk to Avery, but she hurried off to find Ilsa. Her ladies-in-waiting had to run to keep up.
“Ilsa, wait!” Avery called, following her into the long gallery.
Ilsa picked up her pace.
“I know you hear me!” Avery yelled, gathering her skirts. “I will catch you.”
Finally, Ilsa stopped and spun. “What do you want from me?”
Avery stayed an appropriate distance away and told her ladies-in-waiting, “Leave us, please.”
“From the first day,” Ilsa said, “you’ve taken everything of mine: my bed, my friends, my boyfriend, my brother, my freedom—”
Avery shook her head. “That’s not fair. I didn’t intentionally take anything from you. And I definitely didn’t take Edward. He made his choices. I wanted only to be your friend.”
“Ha!”
Avery straightened. “And didn’t I just give you your freedom?”
“Why do you think I’m leaving? I’m not staying someplace where you can force me to be your friend. I’m not your friend, Avery. Or should I say, ‘Your Royal Highness?’”
Avery threw her hands up in surrender. “Suit yourself.”
As Avery headed back to her ladies, Ilsa muttered, “At least not everyone I meet wants me dead.”
Avery turned back. “What did you say?”
Ilsa glared at her. “Just watch your back. Royalty comes with a terrible price.”
A guard stepped from behind a pillar and grabbed Ilsa.
“What are you doing?” she cried. “Let me go! I was just granted my freedom!”
“No one is free to threaten a royal,” he said, looking expectantly to Avery. Ilsa’s fate was in her hands.
She belongs in the dungeon.
Avery approached her and spoke quietly. “Ilsa, you and I have something in common that sometimes makes us say and do things we shouldn’t. We both love our brothers.”
“You love no one but yourself!” Ilsa spat.
The guard said, “You will address the princess with the proper—”
“Let her go,” Avery
said. Ilsa yanked herself away from the guard. “Ilsa, you’re free to hate me, but I am also free not to hate you back.”
Chapter 30
The Walk
Avery sat before the mirror and brushed her hair before bed, having released her attendants for the night. One reappeared a few minutes later with a message.
Avery hoped it was from Babs—she so needed to talk to him before Thomas’s brother accosted her again.
“A friend has asked to meet you in the royal gardens before breakfast,” the girl said.
“Babs?”
She shook her head. “We still haven’t been able to find him, Highness.”
“I’ll be there,” Avery said.
Babs’s disappearance baffled her. It wasn’t like him to abandon her, and he had to know she needed him. Certainly he was aware everyone was looking for him.
Avery locked her door and left the key in it. Maybe that would block anyone else’s key. She latched the windows. And she took a knife to bed with her and slipped it under her pillow.
Avery lay on her back until she couldn’t keep her eyes open any longer. She rolled onto her side and wrapped one hand around the knife’s handle as she fell asleep.
When her key hit the floor and she heard the click of the lock, Avery bolted up, realizing her trick had not worked.
As a dark figure approached, she said, “Stay right where you are.” But he kept coming. “I have a knife!” she said.
“You realize I ’ave a sword,” he said. “Anyway, I just come to thank you.”
“For…?”
“For Thomas. I ’preciate it, and ’m glad I don’t have to do nothin’ more.”
Oh, no! Did he assume Thomas was among the pardoned? Surely he’d demand proof the boy was free. Was this some sort of a trick?
“G’night, ’ighness. I won’t be troublin’ you no more.”
He locked the door when he left.
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