The king nodded. “I quite agree. If one of my subjects had done this terrible thing—deceiving one’s friend—and it was brought to my attention so that I might demand justice, how would you advise me to deal with the deceiver?”
“Ohh! Your Majesty, you flatter me. What an important question.” Lind paused, her brow furrowed in thought. She swiped a finger through the jam tart on the plate in front of her, then licked it clean. “I think it would only be just for the deceptive one to be sent to work in the kitchens on the most delectable dishes imaginable but be given nothing to eat but turnip root mash for four full seasons.” She wrinkled her nose at the thought.
The king nodded. “And what should I do if someone deceived their king?”
“Why, behead them, of course!” Lind responded quickly.
Ian saw the look of shocked surprise cross his father’s face before it was carefully schooled away. “You would behead the lesser criminal?”
“Your Majesty,” Lind responded, completely serious. “To eat nothing but turnip root mash would be a fate worse than death.”
“So it shall be done,” King Frederich claimed.
Lind smiled smugly, proud to have been consulted by the king.
Ian caught Robin’s eye once again and nodded.
She stood, winding her way through the tables and climbing the stairs to the center dais.
As Robin ascended the stairs, Lind’s eyes went wide and her mouth dropped open. She shook her head frantically.
Robin approached the table in front of the king and dropped into a quick curtsy. “Your Majesty,” she said.
King Frederich looked from her to Lind. “Lady Lockwood,” he said, “you have been found guilty of deceiving your king.”
“Your Majesty!” Lind jumped from her seat. “You tricked me! Please do not behead Lady Robin!”
Finally, King Frederich smiled. “So, you are not Lady Lockwood?”
Lind sank back into her seat, her cheeks flaming red.
“I will not behead Lady Lockwood,” King Frederich said. “Though I am pleased you defended her. Instead, I will ask her to pay for her crime by assisting me in making our castle and kingdom a place from which young women will not try to hide.”
Robin curtsied again. “Thank you for your justice, Your Majesty.”
“And you,” King Frederich said, turning to the imposter, “Lind of Lockwood Forest, have been accused of deceiving your friend. Do you deny it?”
“No,” Lind squeaked out.
The king nodded. “I believe you have already declared your own fate.”
Lind stared at the full plate in front of her as the color left her face.
“Never fear,” King Frederich continued, “I believe you will find turnips quite easier to survive than a beheading.”
Lind gulped.
“Please see yourself to the kitchen,” the king said, his order firm but his voice kind.
Lind nodded and fled from the dais.
“Would you care to join us?” King Frederich asked Robin, nodding to Lind’s empty seat.
Robin shook her head. “I am so sorry for deceiving you, Your Majesty. I shall do my best to gain your trust in the future.”
“Well, if you don’t succeed as my ward,” King Frederich said with a smile, “I’ve heard there is a place for you among the castle guard.”
Robin shot Ian a glare as she curtsied a final time. “Goodnight, Your Majesty. Happy Silverfest Eve.”
