Now, she wields him like a weapon against me whenever I step out of line.
“Shall I make a call?” Her eyes narrow. “Or shall we get down to business?”
My hands curl into fists. I’d like nothing more than to smash one into her face. I don’t trust myself to speak at a reasonable volume, so I say nothing at all.
“You try my patience, girl.”
My teeth clench. “My name. Is not.Girl.”
“Then act like a woman, not a child having a fit.”
Brushing past me, she strides to the head of the table and sinks gracefully into her chair. It takes a moment for me to even out my breathing, to unclench my hands and unlock my knees before I’m able to plunk into my own seat.
Frosty silence fills the small conference room until Simms clears his throat.
“Very well. Now that we are all in attendance, we can address the matter at hand.”
My eyes never shift from Octavia’s. “And that would be? The suspense is simply killing me.”
He ignores my mocking tone. “My queen, would you like to explain or shall I?”
“You may outline our…” She pauses a lethal beat. “Problem.”
My brows arch sardonically. “Yourproblem? A shot of penicillin should clear that right up, I’d think.”
Her mouth flattens. Hate flashes in her eyes.
I’ll pay for that pithy remark.
Lady Morrell attempts to disguise her bleat of concern with a cough into an embroidered handkerchief. Simms, ever the good soldier, carries on as if nothing happened.
“It’s no secret that public perception is of utmost importance after the recent attacks. Though King Linus is now back at the palace, we are all aware that he is not quite operating with his previous fortitude. He’s missed several key public events. Speeches, ribbon cuttings, military ceremonies, and the like.” Simms shifts nervously. “The people have taken notice of his absence. And after the assassination attempt at his coronation last month, it seems there’s a growing faction of Germanians expressing certain…worries… about the dependability of the Lancaster line.”
My eyes tear from Octavia’s to focus on the pudgy press secretary. “Worries?”
“About what will happen if and when the king’s health begins to deteriorate. About the stability of our country, should the crown change hands sooner than anticipated.”
Ah.
So that’s what this is about. Public support is wavering and they need me to play the part of princess. To bolster political favor until Linus is back at full strength.
Hmmmm…
Seeing an opportunity to loosen the confines of my captivity here at the palace, I sit up straighter in my chair. My mind whirls in hyperdrive as I plot out my next move, but my hands are the picture of casual nonchalance as I fold them slowly on the table in front of me.
“I understand what you’re saying, Simms. What I don’t understand is how it concernsme.”
Simms blinks, seemingly baffled by my indifference. “You are the Crown Princess. The heir apparent. If the people are doubting the strength of your legacy… It could give the anti-monarchists an even stronger foothold! They could convince the Prime Minister to call for a formal referendum.” His voice drops to a horrified whisper, as if he does not dare speak the next words aloud lest someone overhear. “Parliament could call forabolition of the monarchy.”
My brows lift. “Would that truly be so bad? I, for one, have never expressed any interest in ruling. If the people are no longer satisfied with a sovereign, perhaps it’s time to listen to them.”
He splutters. “But— but—”
“You foolish child!” Octavia interjects angrily. “You speak of what you cannot possibly comprehend!”
“I can, actually: I believe it’s calleddemocracy, Octavia. You should Google it.”
“Ah, yes, because that democratic system is workingsowell for our American allies,” Simms says rather dryly, in an uncharacteristic show of humor. “Just how long until their two-party system devolves into yet another civil war?”