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“Yes, yes, I know. But?” The man truly was a rock.
“It was good. Very good,” he answered stoically.
I smiled. That was the best I was going to get. However, it was good enough. I couldn’t wait to tell Odette. Stepping out into the courtyard, I saw Hermenegild still being congratulated on his way to his car. He and I locked eyes, and the earlier joy he had seemed to have been dampened. I smirked and tipped my head to him before entering my car.
“Would you like to see some of the international coverage, sir?” Balduin asked, finally getting the tablet to work.
Taking it, the news with a picture of Odette at the graduation was already on the screen.
“Her Ersovian was a bit shaky and stiff. It was clear she was nervous in the beginning, and I am sure the palace is not pleased with her going off-script. However, it is safe to say Odette Wyntor truly had a profound impact—”
I switched the channel.
“The air was electrified today at Royal University, and Odette Wyntor drew not only the students, faculty, and staff to their feet but even people on the street as people take to social media—”
“It is normal for royals to steal the spotlight at whatever event they go to, but today, Odette did not just steal the spotlight, she became it, raising everyone to roaring applause—”
“Not even five minutes later and the hashtag #UnitedWeAre! is currently trending on social media—”
“She did not fall and embarrass herself. It was a decent speech, but that was low—”
Rolling my eyes, I switched again. If even the most critical station could call her speech decent, then it was fucking phenomenal.
Turning off the news, I leaned back into my seat. Looking out at the city, I watched as others watched the coverage and the repeats, either on their phones or restaurant screens. I couldn’t help but grin. Finally. Finally!
This was the Ersovia I knew.
Chapter 24
––––––––
As we left the ceremony and walked back toward the residential side of the palace, everyone was more relaxed. So, I noticed more about the palace—one was the amount of security on this side. Then the smell of vanilla, which I liked, coming from the new plants. Also, the changing of a few portraits that had been switched out since I had first come. All of the simple changes and sights helped calm me down, which I needed to do to prepare myself for the lecture I was about to get. It was going to be a heavy one. I knew it. I could sense I was going to get called, and without fail, when I entered the grand foyer of the palace, Mr. Ambrose was waiting for me. The look on his face, like always, was neutral, but for some reason, I could feel that he was not pleased with me. In fact, I did not think he’d changed since I had arrived.
“The queen would like to see me for tea?” I asked.
“Yes,” he replied sternly.
