Hope.
It’s written plainly across every expression in the crowd. And when I recognize it… it’s impossible not to be humbled. It’s impossible to keep thinking of what I’m doing here as a chore to check off my to-do list, or some royal obligation to speed through without consideration.
They’re all looking to you, Emilia.
They’re all cheering for you.
Don’t let them down.
Simms’ plan goes out the window. Because I now know I can’t just say a quick hello and step away. I owe them more than that.
Hauling in a shaky breath, I set my shoulders and swallow the lump of nerves in my throat. Usually, before any event that involves public speaking, I’d rehearse extensively in my bathroom mirror beforehand.
There’s no time for that today.
I’ll probably stumble over some of my words and speak a little too fast and say all the wrong things. As speeches go, it won’t be eloquent or elegant. Not polished or pretty. Still… I’ll try to do it the only way I know how. The way my mother taught me.
Straight from the heart.
I clear my throat awkwardly. “As you may know, I’m rather new to all of this… princess stuff.”
I hear a choked sound from Simms, but I carry on.
“Honestly, the only time I’ve ever made a speech before was during my university’s required oration course — and I’m sure both my classmates and Professor Albright would be happy to confirm that it didnotgo well. So please forgive me if I stumble.”
There’s a wave of laughter, followed by a flood of supportive applause. I hear someone shout ‘We love you, Emilia!’ from the back of the crowd, and my smile widens a shade.
“It’s a privilege to be here today to celebrate Remembrance Day. The basic fact is, Germania would not exist without the brave men and women who have dedicated their lives to keeping our great nation safe.”
More applause rings out.
“I know, as a whole, we don’t always agree about politics or religion or, hell, even which rugby team to root for—” Simms inhales an offended breath at my use of profanity, but no one else seems to care. “If there’s one thing we can all agree on, though, it’s that our military deserves recognition. Respect.Remembrance. Not just today, but every day of the year.”
People are nodding along with my words. Many have taken out their cellphones and started filming. Trying not to dwell too much on that, I grab my train of thought before it runs away from me completely.
“We humans have a tendency to make things more complicated than they need to be. Butthis— this is simple. Our veterans took care of us. Now, it’s our turn to take care of them.”
Their reaction is riotous. I have to wait a full minute for it to quiet down before continuing.
“Without further ado… on behalf of my father, His Majesty King Linus, I am honored to announce the grand opening of the state-of-the-art facility you see behind me. It was built specifically to serve active-duty personnel in our Air Force, Military, General Police, and King’s Guard, as well as retired service members and their families.” Half-turning, I gesture to the gorgeous glass building. “Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you The Leopold and Abigail Veteran’s Hospital and Rehabilitation Center.”
The cheers swell to a crescendo when I mention the facility’s namesake — our fallen king and queen, lost so suddenly in last month’s deadly fire. I see several people in the audience wiping tears, overcome by emotion. I see Annie and her mother cheering. I see the WWII veterans saluting proudly. I see a dozen school children clapping wildly.
And I can’t lie — a few moments later, as a brass band plays the Germanian national anthem, as they hoist our navy and gold flag high in the bright morning sky… I stand with my hand over my heart, my eyes stinging with tears that are surely smudging the makeup Lady Morrell’s fleet of stylists worked so hard to perfect, and find my heart swelling with an unfamiliar surge of patriotism.
Crowns and thrones and blood rights aside…
This is my country.
These are my people.
And I’m proud as hell to be one of them.
Today.
Tomorrow.
All the days to come.