Twice Upon A Time (Unfinished Fairy Tales Book 2)

by Aya Ling

  I fold my arms. “So?”

  “You will find that what you’ve been doing all along, such as writing those essays in the paper and trying to educate girls, are eventually a waste of time and effort. A woman of your position is much better off staying in the palace and producing the next heir to the throne. Life doesn’t have to be that difficult.”

  Oh no. Not that again. I straighten my spine and look at him with as much intimidation as I can muster. “I can’t.”

  He tips his head to one side, apparently surprised by my response. As if he thought that I would be convinced by his cynical speech. “What?”

  “Because I care. Even if it’s only a few students, even if the public thinks I’m wasting my time, I still believe that I am doing the right thing. And even if I fail in this endeavor, I will re-evaluate and try to improve on the second try. But what I can’t do is sit still and do what’s traditionally expected of me.”

  He stares at me, his mouth slightly open.

  “Well then.” I spread my hands. “If you don’t mind, I have a meeting to attend.”

  I sweep past him and continue on my way to the conference room. When I pass the headmistress’s office, voices float from behind the door. The walls here definitely could be more sound-proof, I muse. I can hear every word—wait, is that Bianca speaking?

  “ . . .have learned that this place is in deep financial trouble. Students are dropping out at an alarming rate. Therefore, I have come to propose to you: I can take it off your hands.”

  “I beg your pardon,” Miss Cavendish is saying, her tone quiet but unable to mask her astonishment. “You wish to become a patron, Lady Pembroke?”

  I grip the sides of my head. Impossible. I’d sooner see Edward filing for divorce.

  Bianca gives a tinkling laugh, which sounds like a xylophone made of glass. “Certainly not, my dear Miss Cavendish. I merely wish to purchase the property.”

  “Buy . . . the college?”

  “But of course.” Bianca uses her patronizing tone, as if Miss Cavendish were a child. “The property is centrally located, yet the area it covers is uncommonly large. The playgrounds shall convert very nicely into a tennis court, a garden, and a carriage house plus stables. Where am I to find a place that is ideal in both location and dimensions?”

  There is no response from Miss Cavendish, at least not any that I can detect. Oh no, I hope that she isn’t considering Bianca’s offer.

  “Surely you cannot be hesitating.” A sound of paper rustling. “Name your sum. As I am the mistress of Pembroke Place and the sister-in-law of Prince Edward, you may freely write whatever you wish.”

  The bell rings.

  “I’m afraid I cannot give you a definite answer today, Lady Pembroke,” Miss Cavendish finally says. “I must talk it over with the school committee.”

  A pause—I imagine Bianca looking incredulous. She must have expected that Miss Cavendish would jump at her offer. From Bianca’s perspective, it must be a win-win situation.

  A moment later, the door opens. Tall and regal, Bianca steps out, her expression stone-cold.

  “The school is not for sale,” I say.

  “You.” Her eyes narrow, and her lip curls in disdain as she takes in my admittedly simple dove gray gown, without a single ruffle or piece of lace. I seldom bother to dress up when I go to Princess College. “How lovely it is to run into you.”

  I lift my chin. “Lovely indeed.”

  “How long do you think you can keep this school open? There are only a few pupils left, using a large building established in a central location in the capital. What a colossal waste.”

  “It’s not a waste. We are offering young girls a different opportunity in life.”

  She stares at me for a long moment. “Since when did you get such peculiar notions in your head? When we were children, you complained of your lessons all the time.”

  My heart hammers in my chest. I must be a huge departure from what the real Katriona was like, and since I’m no longer living with the Bradshaws, there’s less of a necessity to pretend to be Katriona Bradshaw. “Thank you for your concern, Bianca, but as the head patron of Princess College, it is my duty to see that the girls are brought back. I won’t hear of anything about selling the school. Now, if you don’t have anything further to say, allow me to bid you good day.”

  I step aside and notice that Liam is standing at the end of the corridor, his expression unreadable. A few girls are also poking their heads from classrooms. I smile reassuringly at them, hoping they don’t notice that my shoulders are trembling.

  Bianca’s eyes are flashing, her nostrils flared. When she speaks, her voice has an edge of a jagged saw. “This isn’t the end of it, Katriona. One day you will regret turning me down.”

  It sounds so comical that I swallow a laugh. As if I would ever feel remorse for refusing her offer. “I look forward to the day,” I say sarcastically. “Goodbye, Bianca.”

  Most of the school board is assembled when the meeting starts. There’s the headmistress, her assistant, several members of the aristocracy, a few skilled tradesmen who have their daughters enrolled, a couple of teachers, Elle, and me.

  After the teachers report the current progress of the girls, Miss Cavendish stands up. She’s a dignified lady in her fifties, and also a great friend with the queen.

  “Ladies and gentlemen,” she says. “I have no doubt that you are aware that recently, the dropout rate at our school has increased alarmingly. Up to yesterday, we have twenty-four students, down from the one hundred girls we originally had. Hence, we need to figure out a solution to retain these girls and also to attract more pupils.”

  I pinch my lips together. I knew a lot of students had left school, but I didn’t know there were so many. No wonder Bianca felt that she was being magnanimous when she’d offered to buy the school.

  “If we cannot come up with a solution, the school will have to shut down,” a teacher says miserably. I glare at her. If the teacher herself is in low spirits, then it will undoubtedly affect the students as well.

  “I can set up a scholarship from my foundation,” Elle says. “I’ve been researching what other boys’ schools have practiced, and I learned that they offer medals and prizes for attendance and grades. Perhaps if we adopt a similar scheme, the girls will be more inclined to come to school.”

  “We should also alter the curriculum,” an aristocrat says. “There should be more lessons on music and painting, as well as etiquette and deportment. This school should live up to its name. With the enrollment of more upper-class girls, there’ll be less concern for financial security.”

  “No,” I say firmly. “This school isn’t meant to be a substitute for lady lessons, nor is it limited to students from particular backgrounds. I refuse to change the classes to accommodate them.”

  The aristocrat pulls on his beard. “Ideal, but impractical. I am not denouncing the poor, but they are affecting the performance of my child, who complains that she cannot concentrate in class with the unwashed stench in the air.”

  I’m stung by his description, but instead I press my lips together. When Molly’s father came to remove her from school, I did note the dismal state of Molly’s appearance.

  “And the clothes they wear! They can’t help wearing rags, and you should have heard some of the girls making fun of them,” another woman says. I think she’s one of the teachers. “And the filthy state of their hair—why, I have to spend ten minutes before class with a fine-tooth comb to get rid of the lice. Frankly speaking, I don’t want to discourage the poor things, but their conditions are not appropriate for school.”

  “Is there nothing that can be done to improve the situation of the working-class girls?” the headmistress asks.

  “I can set up something like a food and clothing fund,” I say, remembering that I received a huge sum from the municipality as a wedding gift, and so far I haven’t spent even a penny of it. “I’ll draw funds from my own allowance and also ask for donations
. We’ll provide uniforms for the girls, as well as free breakfasts in the mornings.”

  “I object,” the aristocrat growls. “It is the responsibility of the parents to provide for their children. If they find you’re giving out free food and clothes, then they’ll relax their duties.”

  To my alarm, most other members of the school board are nodding.

  “But what if the parents are too poor to provide for them?” I say. “You make it sound like it’s improvidence that is at fault, not the possibility that the poorest simply cannot afford the basic necessities.”

  “I’ve been to some of the poor quarters,” a man says. “You’d be surprised at how many of them are drinking—men and women—and some of them even feed their babies drugs.”

  “But in the end, it’s still the children that suffer,” Elle says, her voice not loud but firm. She is less brash, less impulsive compared to me, and when she speaks up, I find that people are more inclined to listen to her. “Should the children suffer because their parents are neglectful?”

  In the end, we agree to Elle’s scholarship, as well as maintaining the original curriculum, though my idea of setting aside funds for the poor is on hold. All working-class girls have dropped out now, so unless we enroll more of them, the charity idea is currently useless. Again, I remember Molly crying for buyers in the streets, her voice hoarse and her hands chapped, and I wish I could figure out a better solution.

  After the meeting, Elle invites me to her foundation to see about the scholarship, but I have to decline. I had promised to take tea with the queen. Ever since my quarrel with Edward, the queen has made it a point for us to have tea every month, making sure that my life at the palace is well.

  Elle hurries off, and I continue to the gates. Bianca’s incensed face, her beauty marred by her anger, flashes through my head. Even if I donate all of my annual allowance to maintaining the school, it’s going to be useless if all the students are gone.

  At the same moment, Lady Gregory emerges from a classroom, along with two girls carrying baskets, who curtsy when they see me. My God, there really is a drastic dip in the attendance. Last time I saw Lady Gregory, the classroom was full.

  “Good afternoon, Katriona.” Her eyes are twinkling. “Child, are you all right? You look rather pale.”

  I’m about to answer that I’m fine, but since she is also teaching at Princess College, I might as well let her know our difficulties. So, I brief her on the meeting, adding that I really don’t want the school to shut down.

  Lady Gregory looks thoughtful. “My great-nephew is enrolled in Heron—it’s one of the top secondary schools in the capital. He used to whine about the lessons, but he also mentioned that his favorite activities were the games and school trips.”

  “Are you suggesting that we could organize some kind of extracurricular activity for the girls?”

  “Obviously a football match will not work. But if you could take them to a park or a museum, it might encourage them to stay in school. I am not sure about getting more students, but surely it’ll help to retain the few students we have left.”

  I’m reminded of my original idea to have Edward teach a class. Suddenly, a brilliant idea hits me.

  “Thank you, Lady Gregory.” Making sure we’re alone in the corridor, I add, “By the way, has Meg visited lately?”

  “She just dropped by last week.” Lady Gregory smiles warmly. “She was excited to learn that you married the prince, especially when she had assisted you going to the ball. Would you like to meet her next time she comes by and regale her with some anecdotes of your royal life?”

  “Of course,” I say, surprised but pleased. I also wonder if Meg has improved in her spells, but a teacher happens to pass by, so I say goodbye to Lady Gregory. I have a plan to carry out.

  33

  I race to Edward’s office and end up coughing and wheezing when I arrive. Geez, my stamina has really worsened since I came to Athelia.

  “Easy there.” Edward gets me a glass of water and pats me on the back. “I’m glad that you are so eager to see me, but honestly, there is no need to run. You might trip on those long skirts and twist your ankle.”

  I cough and take a deep breath, willing myself to calm down. “Edward, I just had a wonderful idea! Let’s organize a field trip for the girls. We can bring them to the greenhouses and the menagerie. You can introduce them to all kinds of plants and flowers, and I’ll ask the gamekeeper to show them the animals. Oh, and we should get Elle and Henry to come out with us. It will be just the excuse to get them together.”

  To my disappointment, he doesn’t share my enthusiasm. He looks kind of skeptical, in fact. “Henry and Elle should sort out their problems on their own. We shouldn’t interfere.”

  “But we aren’t just interfering. It’s also an excellent opportunity to take the girls out and boost their spirits.”

  “Surely there is no need for me to go.”

  I wag my finger at him. “Don’t underestimate your charisma, Your Highness. What better incentive to draw the girls to school than having the prince of Athelia substitute as a teacher for a day? Besides, don’t you want to have a date—I mean, spend some quality time with me?” I bat my eyelashes and attempt a saucy wink.

  Edward doesn’t fall for my pitiful attempt at flirting. “It’s not as if we are alone—”

  I shut him up with my lips. Using what moderate experience I have, I wrap my arms around his neck and deepen the kiss. Amazingly, there is no sound from Krev this time. I’ll take it that I have again conquered the goblin’s enchantment. Excellent.

  When I pull away, there’s a slightly dazed expression on his face, like he can’t believe what I just did.

  “May I request the pleasure of your company for an outing, Your Royal Highness?”

  “Huh? Right, but . . .”

  Grinning, I sweep him a graceful (for my standards) curtsy. “Now that’s settled, I’ll find George and have him add the event to your schedule. I’ll also hop over to the kitchens and ask them to prepare food baskets. I’ll pay for the expense out of my own pocket so the lord chamberlain won’t complain.”

  “Kat . . .” he growls, perhaps irritated that I got him to agree by seducing him. Score one, Kat. My first step toward becoming a femme fatale.

  I hurry away before he can change his mind. Maybe I shouldn’t have kissed him, but it’s so rare that I initiate any intimacy that I’m sure he wouldn’t mind. Anyway, it should be fun. With this outing, the girls will have an informative lesson and be enticed to continue learning at school, and Henry and Elle will get to spend some time together. Really, with so many objectives, at least one of them will succeed.

  * * *

  “What is the name of this queer-looking thing, Your Highness?”

  “It’s a tulip bulb,” Edward says. He is wearing his princely mask of utter politeness and zero emotion—is this the same man who whispered in my ear that he wanted to seduce me? Really, I could award him an Oscar.

  “Uncle Ed doesn’t seem to be enjoying himself,” Rosie whispers.

  I glance at my husband. Edward does seem to be in a resigned mood as he patiently explains the various colors a tulip can have. I probably shouldn’t have dragged him to this outing, but I didn’t expect that he’d be this reluctant.

  Seems like only the schoolgirls are having fun. Half of them surround Edward, all wearing identical expressions of starry-eyed adulation. The other half are gathered around Henry, pestering him with questions about being a duke and a doctor at the same time, and if it’s possible he’ll come back to teach. The difference is that Henry is more affable. There’s a benevolent smile on his face as he explains how he must undergo more training at the university. Edward, however, looks like a cubicle worker prepared to commute on Monday morning.

  It doesn’t help that Parliament rejected the Minimum Wage Act (though they did pass the Food and Drugs Act). Edward had used my notes and did his best to convince the members otherwise, but it was no use. In fact, I
have a suspicion that some Members of Parliament oppose to Edward’s ideas simply because they know I am the instigator.

  “He’ll be all right,” I whisper back. “Was he also like this when he used to visit you, Rosie?”

  Rosie considers a moment. “Uncle Ed is always nice to us. But I think he wants us gone.”

  “He doesn’t want you gone. He isn’t used to the role of a teacher,” I say, though I know that I’m not entirely being truthful. Edward doesn’t like being surrounded by chattering, giggling schoolgirls, even if they are vastly different from the ladies who had been scheming to claim the coveted honor of princess. “By the way, how are you getting along at school now?”

  Rosie gives me an account of how lonely she feels and how empty the building is. The second and third floor used to be filled with students, but now only a few classrooms are occupied.

  “Why did the others leave, Aunt Kat? They seemed to be having fun.”

  “It’s complicated,” I say, squeezing her hand. “But I promise you I’m doing my best to get them back.”

  “Do you know when that will be?”

  I pause. “I really don’t know, sweetheart. What we’re trying to do now is not to lose anyone else.” The last thing I want is to have all students dropping out of Princess College, leaving the place an empty shell. It took Elle months to locate a suitable place and convince the seller to let us purchase the building. I imagine Bianca moving in, populating the rooms with maids and footmen, replacing the books and desks and blackboards with her fine gowns and jewelry, and I curl my fingers into a fist.

  A rumble from my stomach reminds me it’s time for lunch. Because I went to Princess College today to fetch the students, I didn’t join the king and queen for lunch. I only had a piece of buttered toast and a cup of coffee, which is more like the breakfasts I had in Portland.

  The students are still gathered around Edward as he introduces them to some new species. Elle and Henry stand a little way off. It seems that they want to talk to each other but aren’t daring to. I remember what Elle told me about the duchess needing Henry to inherit the dukedom. Maybe it’s not the right thing to do . . . but I walk up to them anyway.