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“If so, he is not letting it show in the least bit,” I said as Hermenegild took the platform.
“My honorable members and esteemed delegates, I am honored to stand here in front of you as one of the great members of this nation to say the People’s Party decides to pass the Nationalism Reform Act, which will ensure the prosperity and preservation of the Ersovian culture and way of life, not just for ourselves or our children, but for their children in years to come. This is an astonishing moment of hope for many people, a moment they thought would never come. For others, this may be a moment of doubt and fear, but trust and believe we will stand by you. Let this vote usher in a new era in this nation. An era of purpose, self-determination, and strength, under one God, one government, one country, and one king.”
He looked up at me, and all I could do was smile and nod, even though he put king at the end of his little speech to remind me that I was beneath all of those things. King and country, but when he said government, I didn’t think he meant the government but himself. The way he basked in the attention, the praise, and the visible scorn on his face to the party that opposed him, to the members of his party who had rejected him, were all such clear and obvious signs of his ego.
“Sir, it’s almost time,” Balduin reminded me.
“Right, Odette,” I replied, rising to my feet quickly, leaving the Royal Box, out into the hallway where Iskandar stood waiting.
“You have a live feed, correct?” I asked Balduin.
“I’m working on it, sir, but the connection here is a bit poor.” He replied with his tablet out.
“Your Highness.”
Oh, for bloody sake. I did not have time to put on a circus act. Nevertheless, I turned to see the man from the dinner, Mikel Horvath, standing with a few other members of parliament. I scanned their faces.
“Gentlemen”—I nodded at them—”it seems you do not have the will of the people and lost today.”
“Tomorrow is another day, and we will live to fight for it,” Horvath replied.
“And always the monarchy will stand behind whoever the people have chosen to stand behind.” I nodded at them. “You must excuse me.”
“Your Highness, one moment.”
For the love of God. “Yes.” I turned again.
He pointed to one of the rooms beside him. “We were all about to watch Royal University’s graduation ceremony. My nephew is a part of this year’s class.”
“Is that so?” I said, glancing toward Balduin, who still hadn’t gotten the video up on his tablet.
“Yes, sir.”
“Very well, but I must remind you all that I shall not speak on anything else. The politics of the day have been decided and will not be changed.”
“Of course, sir.” He nodded.
Following them, we entered the private study of parliament. From the floor to the ceiling were books of law, both past, and present. The only space made was for the portrait of the sovereign, my father, and a large flat-screen television. Clerks, custodians, and even other parliament members were already waiting inside. You would think there was a national crisis or the Olympics taking place. They were so focused that they did not even notice me. I understood why I wanted to watch, but I did not know why they were all so captivated.
“It is the first time any of us will hear her speak,” Horvath whispered beside me, and I looked at him, not understanding. “You have heard and spoken to Miss Wyntor a thousand or more times. But we have not, and she is to be the next queen. How is she? What does she sound like? What does she believe? What will she say? Will she mess up and disgrace us all?”
I frowned at that.
“I do hope everyone realizes it is a prepared statement. You will hardly know her from this.”
He nodded. “But we will know more than yesterday. You and the palace have guarded her like a precious jewel. Of course, we are a bit curious to see her on her own now.”
“We?” My eyebrow raised.
He didn’t answer because we all watched as Odette, dressed in the red and black robes of the university, walked up to the podium, and at that moment, I felt as if I were going to be sick. I remembered how she panicked when singing in front of crowds of adoring fans. God, how did she feel at this moment?
Please let her be all right.
Please let her be all right.
Maybe I shouldn’t watch this.
I’m really going to be sick.
