by J. J. McAvoy
Her head whipped back to look at where we were, obviously only now noticing we had stopped.
“Horses?” She gasped, already opening the door before I could. “We are going horseback riding?”
“Well, you loved it so much the first time, and I wanted you to meet a special horse,” I said, closing the door behind.
She grinned from ear to ear. “Ass? You are taking me to meet your horse.”
Taking her hand, I led her to the stables. At the end of the road, two older men, Mr. Sorkins and Mr. Pepes waited for us, as well as some other stable hands.
“Your Highness. Miss.” They bowed. “We are so pleased you both could come.”
“We are happy to be here. How is our new addition?”
“Settling in quite nicely. Would you like to see him? He is a beauty.”
I nodded.
“You got another horse?” Odette whispered as we walked into a stable.
I still didn’t answer, just took us farther and farther inside until we arrived at the dark-haired horse with a white underbelly and mark on his forehead shaped like a maple leaf.
Immediately, she let go of my hand, stepping forward. “Maple?” She spun back to look at me. “No way.”
I nodded.
“Maple?” She laughed again, going up to the horse. He was startled at first, then sniffed once again before moving closer. “Hey, boy! Hey! Look at you! Oh, my God. Gale, how?”
Stepping up beside her, I said. “Magic.”
She scoffed but let it go, brushing through Maple’s coat. The truth was, I had asked Balduin to search for him before the garden party. He had spent days looking through sales records and book logs before finally finding that Maple had been sold to breeders in Kentucky. It cost a pretty penny to have him brought over. Of course, her father would have given her a one-of-kind, thoroughbred Arabian stallion. But seeing how happy she was, seeing the tears that filled her eyes, but she didn’t let fall, was well worth it and much more.
“We can come to see him whenever we have time,” I said, reaching out and brushing him as well.
“Thank you.” She sniffled, stroking his nose, and smiling wildly. “Really, thank you, Gale.”
“It’s me who should be thanking you,” I whispered back. Thanking you for being here.
“For?”
I shook my head, turning to look back at the men behind us. “Would it be all right to take them both for a walk?”
“Yes, of course.”
“Both?” she asked.
I pointed to the stall beside me, my noble steed with a mouth full of hay by my head. When I tried to pet his nose, he brushed me off to eat more.
“Well, it is good to see you too.”
Ass huffed.
“I don’t think he’s forgiven you for that broken leg.”
“He’s a bit stubborn, but he loves me,” I replied, using a bit of the hay to get his attention, and finally, he came to my hands.
“You’re bribing him.”
“I would never.”
“Yeah, sure.” She laughed as they brought both our horses for us.
“Yes, I am sure,” I said, taking the reins and stepping closer to her. “I also think this is a good time for a rematch.”
She stepped up to my face, staring me down. “Don’t cry when you lose.”
I grinned. “After you, bevilën.”
He let me win. I knew he did. But I was far too distracted by the scenery even to say anything about it. He had told me about the valley of rolling green hills and the wide-open, clear-blue sky, but it was even more beautiful here near the top of the hill, overlooking the small town in the far distance. It was like a painting, like art, right in front of my face. Hopping off Maple, I walked up the hill more, and as the breeze blew, I couldn’t help but lift my hands like I was Maria in the Sound of Music or Elizabeth Bennet in Pride and Prejudice.
“It’s beautiful,” I said.
“Extremely,” he whispered, coming up beside me. When I looked at him, he was looking back at me. But instead of saying anything, he lifted a picnic basket for me to see. “Hungry?”
“Famished.” And to prove my point, my stomach growled.
He took my hand to lead me to the tree, and I turned to remind him about the horses, but Thelma was already watching over them. Iskandar was standing at a slight distance from the tree where a picnic blanket and pillows were already waiting, looking over the hills as well. It was strange how I was starting never to notice them, either.
“What is wrong?” Gale asked when I didn’t sit down.
“Nothing.”
“No, don’t do that. Say what you are thinking,” he said, sitting down first and bringing me into his arms. “We’ve said nothing already. I want to know what is going through your mind.”
“Didn’t we do that too and end up fighting?”
“Yeah, but I think I prefer the fighting to us avoiding each other.”
“I wasn’t avoiding you,” I lied, and he made a face, obviously knowing I was too. “Okay, I was avoiding you. But you avoided me too.”
“I did. I’m sorry. And yes, I am apologizing.” He cupped my cheek. “I also wanted to say there is nothing between Sabina and me anymore. Ever since you entered my life, I haven’t even spoken to her or anyone else. I never loved her. I never truly loved anyone before you. And I never want to know a world after you, either. Everything is so unlike before. Even I miss Seattle, and it’s horrible weather.”
I wanted to laugh, but I just shifted, wrapped my arms around him, and hugged him tightly. I didn’t know what to say other than, “I love you, Gale.”
“And I, you, Odette,” he replied, hugging me tightly. “No matter what lies they write, no matter what anyone says or does, I will be here. Whenever you want to yell or scream or cry, I’ll still be here. We’ll keep taking this step by step and day by day.”
“The calm in the eye of the storm, right?” I shifted, looking up to him.
“That’s where we will be,” he said gently. “I know it’s crazy right now. I know there is so much being asked of you.”
“It’s okay. I know it’s crazy for you—”
“No, listen to me, Odette,” he said, putting his forehead on mine. “If you want to sing, you will sing. You don’t have to abandon everything for me. Just give me time, and I’ll figure out how to make your dreams work with this, I promise.”
Staring into his eyes, I held on to the side of his face before kissing him. And just like I knew I would, I melted in his arms as he kissed me back. All the fears I had this morning, all the pent-up anger, pain, and frustration I had before disappeared.
Part of me still wanted to go back to how we were in Seattle. But that wasn’t possible. And I couldn’t be in Seattle without him.
“I love you,” he whispered when we broke apart, but I could feel his breath on my lips.
“I love you too...baby.” The moment I said it, I cringed and tried to hide my face in his neck as he broke out into a booming laugh. “Shut up! I’m never saying that again.”
“Why? I like it!”
“No!” I argued as he wrapped his arms around me and pulled me into his lap.
“Gale...”
“Don’t you mean baby?” He snorted.
I glared at him. However, the longer I looked at him, the faster my heart began to beat. I opened my mouth to say something, but before I could, his lips were on mine, and I wrapped my arms around his neck.
We would have stayed there, kissing until we both fainted from lack of oxygen, but my stomach growled again, causing him to laugh again.
“I skipped breakfast.” Ugh! I was just embarrassing today.
“Well, we can’t have that. What do we have here?” he said, shifting to lift the basket. I moved to get out of his lap, but he held me there with his other hand. The best I could do was sit between his legs and lean against his chest. He took out a plate of perfectly cut sandwiches, apples, and fruits, and wine. “For you.”
“In Ersovia, it’s never too early. Besides, didn’t we agree to ignore the rules today.”
I nodded, happily taking the glasses. I watched as Gale talked and explained that he had never been on a picnic date before, so he wasn’t sure exactly what went into the basket, making me realize he had packed everything himself.
How could I give up? How could I be scared when he was holding on so tightly?
The Morning Eagle
Friday, June 16
“Spoiled Heiress Demands Her Horse!”
It is reported that Prince Galahad spent a jaw-dropping thirty-eight thousand euros to fly in Odette Wyntor’s personal horse after she turned her nose up at the royal horses.
You would think she would care more for the country that she may one day rule over than she does a horse.
Meanwhile, Sophia De Loutherbergh, Dowager Duchess of Elmburgh, visited the Sisters of Canterbury and other widows.
The Morning Eagle
Monday, June 18
“Battle of the Adelina's.”
The commencement for the Royal University of Ersovia is this Friday. However, who will give the speech? That is the question the palace is struggling with.
Traditionally, the Adelaar is meant to take the role, but he is scheduled to be at Trinity Row on the day of the graduation for a chamber vote on the Nationalism Reform Act.
Both Odette Wyntor and Sophia De Loutherbergh, Dowager Duchess of Elmburgh, wish to give the speech, and neither wishes to give in.
Chapter 20
“After much discussion, it has been decided that it would be in everyone’s best interest if you both go to the Royal University and give the commencement speech together for the graduating students this year,” the queen stated as she brought up her tea.
I glanced over at Sophia, who sat like she was chiseled out of ice. So, I glanced back at the queen, Ambrose, Julianne—the queen’s assistant—as well as a few other older men standing behind her chair.
“You wish me to give a speech? In Ersovian?” I repeated, looking at them bit stunned. I wasn’t sure how many students were in that graduating class, but I was most definitely sure it would be televised.
“Yes, Odette, what other language would you give it in?” the queen asked, knowing that wasn’t what I meant. “We have spoken to your tutors, and they say you are more than capable of that, especially if the speech is given to you to rehearse, which it shall be. So, you will have until Friday to practice.”
“Your Grace.” Sophia’s soft voice captivated the whole room. “Is it not customary for the Adelaar to give the commencement speech for Royal University?”
“The Adelaar is scheduled to be at Trinity Row on the day of the graduation, ma’am,” Ambrose answered instead. “Should the Adelaar not be able to do the speech, it is customary for the Adelina to give the speech in his steed. And currently...”
“There is no current Adelina,” Sophia whispered, glaring at the men behind the queen. “I see. I am the past. She is the future.”
“Let us only worry about the present, Sophia,” the queen replied. “That is all you can do.”
“Your Grace, you must forgive me, but I am not up for such crowds—”
“Then you will take the week to rest to gather the strength, for I know you have it.” The queen’s voice was now stern as she rose from her chair. Sophia and I stood as well. However, she did not look to us, but Ambrose. “I shall leave the details in your capable hands, gentlemen, thank you.”
I curtsied as the queen walked to the door. She nodded at me only once before leaving. It was only then that Ambrose stepped forward, giving both Sophia and me a folder.
“A copy has been given to your tutor as well. Should you have any questions, you should speak to him directly.”
“Okay.”
“Miss Odette.”
“Yes?”
“This speech is of the highest importance,” he replied strictly. “Please treat it as such.”
Was I not treating everything else as such? It seemed he still lacked faith in me. “Understood.”
He glanced over to Sophia, who was already moving to the door. I didn’t want this tension anymore.
“Sophia, may I have a moment?”
She froze, her back to me.
“Thank you, Mr. Ambrose.” I nodded at him, and everyone began to take their leave. I waited until it was both of us, alone, surrounded by ornate furniture. Taking a deep breath, I stepped close to her. “Sophia—”
“They are doing this so the press will stop reporting that there is some sort of malice between us.”
“I, more than anyone, know the press is lying—”
“No,” she snapped, turning around to look at me, glaring furiously. “I hate you.”
I was stunned. All the polite words I was working on saying vanished from my mind. And fight mode immediately activated. Pulling my face together, I did my best to stay calm. “It’s a little strange hating someone you don’t know, don’t you think?”
“I don’t want to know you.”
“I am trying very hard to be nice right now.”
“I don’t care,” she snapped back. “I do not care about how nice you are. I do not care about how hard you are trying or how viciously you are attacked. I do not care. You know why? Because nothing you are going through can ever come close to what I am going through. In a day, I lost everything. My life, past, present, future, shattered all over this whole nation! And you want me to feel sorry for you? To help you? To welcome you? Your existence is slowly erasing mine. All my dreams, all my hopes, all Arthur’s dreams, and hopes, are dead. And everyone is running around trying to make sure you can handle it. Just because he is dead, just because I am no longer going to be queen doesn’t mean we just fade into the night. So, don’t bother being nice. I won’t care. I won’t help. Too many people are already doing that. I’m going to do what no one else seems to care to do anymore, which is keep what is left of Arthur’s dreams alive.”
With that, she spun around to leave when I cut in.
“It was Arthur who caused me to be here,” I said, and she froze, so I went on. “I didn’t get to know him, but I wish I did. He seemed to be an amazing human being. And I am grateful to him. I get that you are hurting. But I have to also ask, does keeping Arthur’s dreams alive mean that everyone else has to hurt with you? Is that what you think he would want?”
She stood there for only a second before walking out, not bothering to look at me.
And what else could I say?
Even with everything she said, I didn’t hate her.
I couldn’t imagine what it was like to work to be queen one day, and the next to be moved aside and seen as a gloomy bother to everyone else. It wasn’t her fault. But it wasn’t my fault either.
Ring.
Checking my phone, I smiled. “How did you know I needed to hear your voice?”
“You were pulling on my heartstrings?”
“Cheesy.”
He laughed. “I knew you would say that. Where are you?”
“Where else could I be? Where are you, more importantly?”
“I just came back from visiting the new solar wind farms, and I’m now on the plane heading back.”
My heart sank to my gut, hearing he was on the plane. “I thought we weren’t supposed to use phones on flights.”
“Commercial flights. Is that concern I hear in your voice?”
“Yes!”
“Good, I like it. Distract me. What are you doing? No class?”
“I was given a speech to study.”
“A speech?”
“They didn’t tell you? Sophia and I will be giving the commencement speech at Royal University.”
“You and Sophia?”
“Yep.”
“Can you call in sick or something?”
I laughed, really, I did. “No, I don’t think that will work. Mr. Ambrose has already let me know that it is,
and I quote, of the highest importance.”
“Everything is always of the highest importance,” Gale scoffed. “We have our first state dinner together at the end of the month, and I’ve already been told to begin to prepare now—”
“Wait, state dinner? We?”
“Oh, they haven’t told you.”
I hung my head. “Every time I clear one hurdle, there is a new one.”
“It’s a marathon, not a sprint, so I’ve been told.”
“Do they tell you when you have won the marathon?”
“Sadly not. I’ll let you know when I find out.”
Knock. Knock.
“Yes?” I turned around to see Wolfgang waiting.
“They’ve come for you?” Gale said.
“Yep.”
“Dinner after dinner?”
I smiled. We’d come to do that now. “The cherry gardens?”
“It is a date.”
“It’s a date.” I beamed. “Bye. Be safe.”
“You too.”
I waited for him to hang up, but he didn’t. “Gale.”
“Odette.”
“Hang up.”
“You hang up. Wait, we’ve done this before, also.” He laughed.
“You are ridiculous. Bye!”
“Bye.”
Shaking my head, I turned off the phone. “Forgive me, Wolfgang.” I trailed off when I turned back to see the expression on Wolfgang’s face.
He beamed with joy almost as much as I did.
“What is it?”
He shook his head. “I am just glad you and Prince Galahad are happy. It’s like Seattle, but here.”
I relaxed, inhaling deeply. “Thank you, Wolfgang.”
“Miss, are you ready?” He pulled out his...well, my schedule.
”Yes.” For the first time, I actually felt like I was.
I checked my watch for what felt like the hundredth time. I had thought after landing I’d go right back to the palace, but instead, I was taken to Trinity Row to have dinner at the behest of the prime minister because he had gotten word that tomorrow’s news headlines would be that he and I were at odds over the Nationalism Reform Act he wished to enact. He wanted to get ahead of it—even though it was the one headline that I didn’t mind the public reading. I was against the bill, and yet I had to work to stop that headline at short notice. Truthfully, no notice, despite already having plans.