***
The media swarmed the palace. Citizens flooded the streets around them, anxiously awaiting the appearance of the mysterious rebel leader. The rumors of his identity had spread through the city, but only those inside the palace knew the truth. They would never know that it hadn't been Prince Dante all along. They would never know that he felt as though is insides had turned to ice and his heart might leap right out of his chest. If he was lucky, they wouldn't notice how his knees shook.
He hesitated on the steps outside the palace. The podium from which his father addressed the press seemed so far away, as though through the gauntlet of cameras and microphones and shouting, cheering people who would as soon fall upon him and rip him to shreds as defer to his leadership.
He sighed heavily. Then he squared his shoulders. He strode forward with his head held high. When he turned toward the congregation, a charged and tense silence fell. He took a deep breath. They all waited for him to speak. Cameras snapped in his face. Microphones shot up toward him.
It was time. It was his only chance. He'd better make it good.
"People of Razor City, you have nothing left to fear." He looked around at them. Their faces were rapt and expectant. "My father, King Scarlet, is no longer in control of the city."
It took several moments for the crowd to process this information. Though the news had already spread, it was as though his announcement had sealed all their fates. A low murmur passed through the crowd. Many of the people still looked hostile. They waited for more.
"Your family and friends are on their way home to you now. All the prisoners who were falsely accused of treason have been released."
There was a sudden burst of noise from the crowd. The murmuring grew into a crescendo. Then the cheering began. It was deafening. Grey waited until it had quieted down.
"The King's guards and Marshals have been disbanded. The police no longer work for him. You are safe, and you are free."
He could hear the cheering as though it came from every part of the city. Every home, business and corner of the city seemed to be listening. And they were all rejoicing.
He lifted his hands. Silence fell again.
"From now on, things are going to be different. It will take time. My father's rule was bloody and it was cruel. But Razor City will no longer be a place where people have to live in fear for their lives and their loved ones. The police and the Marshals will work for the people. They will protect them. The outlaws will no longer run rampant in the outlands. The city will become safe for everyone, and everyone will have a voice.
"I do not stand before you today to announce my rule of Razor City. I stand before you today to let you know that I will help you all rule yourselves. The people will have the chance to make their own choices. Together, we will make this city a place where we can all be safe and live together without fear of violence or a leader who would take your liberty to increase his own power.
"We have our work cut out for us. But if we all work together, we can fix what's gone wrong in this city. We can take it back and make it whatever we want it to be. We can make it great. You might think you know me, but you don't. But you will. My name is Grey. And I will take you all into the future."
Rebel Grey Page 31