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“And risk rumors that the crown is at war with the chu—”
We all froze. In front of us, in the middle of the hallway, stood King Louis. His silver clothes and priceless jewels sparkled in the light of the sun coming in through the windows. His green eyes settled on me like a cat ready to jump on a mouse.
“Your Majesty,” he said, closing the gap between us. He walked with such confidence, as if even an earthquake couldn’t unsteady him.
“Did the excitement of this sacred occasion make you forget your promise to shower me with your attention tonight?”
I was unable to move or speak. His intense green eyes held me captive as if he had chained me to the ground.
“Her Majesty will join you shortly,” Wimfred said and bowed deeply in front of King Louis.
“I...I was just...” I was frantically searching for words, worrying that no matter what lie I came up with, he would know it to be untrue. As if he was all-knowing. Why did this man make me so insecure? I felt like my father was standing in front of me—no, not my father. It was like all the things I had ever feared about my father were manifested in this one man.
“The queen wishes to pay her respects to her father and will join you shortly.” Wimfred came to my rescue. “The Eastern magicians will be performing a great play in the ballroom shortly.”
“Yes, spectacular indeed. I shall have to hurry not to miss it,” I rumbled. “But my father has priority.”
How despicable to use a dead man as a lie. But he would forgive me, I knew that much.
King Louis briefly tapped his finger against his lip. “Of course. With your permission, I shall entertain the guests while you are gone so you can meet with your father in peace and quiet.”
Entertain my guests? As a king? Their king?
I smiled. “You are too kind. I will be in your debt. Please do enjoy the performances until my return.”
King Louis bowed, then out of nowhere, reached for my hand and steered it to his lips. Every muscle in my body tensed as he gently turned it and softly brushed his lips against my gloved palm. I wanted to smack him but instead just grinned until he released it.
“A common gesture from the West, to express our warmest regards,” he said with a faint smile on his thin lips. “I shall eagerly await your return.”
Without another word, he moved past Wimfred, slightly pushing him out of his way with his shoulder, and strode back into the throne hall.
For the first time, I realized that I was shaking. Shock? Anger? Frustration? Disgust?
“I’m afraid Gunther might not be your biggest worry any longer,” Dieter said as we all watched King Louis disappear into the golden halls of the festival. It was bizarre how the joyful music from the ballroom was the backdrop to everything that was happening right now. There was nothing, absolutely nothing joyful about my life. Just when Alrick and I had finally come up with a plan to have Gunther replaced and stop the North King’s war, a new enemy emerged. One so powerful, I didn’t even have the slightest clue what to do next. A few months ago, I was an ignorant princess who worried about what diamonds would match the color of her eyes best. I had barely outgrown childhood and became a woman. How in the name of God could I possibly survive this hell?
My eyes fell onto the enormous painting of my mother above a fireplace in the hallway. For years there had been nothing but an empty rectangle there. My hand shot to my lips as I dropped the damn scepter to the floor. Wimfred fell to his knees to pick it back up. I, on the other hand, stared in shock at the scene of my mother sitting elegantly on a black stallion in a brown riding dress.
The scepter in hand, Wimfred rose to his feet and looked at the painting as well.
“My Queen, I tried to tell Frida it was too soon. But she insisted on slowly rehanging the late queen’s paintings around the castle for you. I-I will have them removed right aw—”
“No,” I forced out under a trembling breath, grabbing Wimfred by the arm before he could shout for a servant.
With sadness and a strange joy, I looked at my mother’s serious expression, which she must have faked for the painting, considering she’d always been so cheerful. Although she was remembered as merely the love of a mighty king, for many, she was more powerful than my father ever was.
“This is who I am,” I said confidently. “My mother and father’s daughter.” I removed the heavy crown from my head and handed it to Wimfred. “Rightful heir to this kingdom, patron of its people, tasked with protecting their rights and ways of life.”
Still looking up at my mother’s painting, I sighed. “This kingdom was ruled by a queen long before my father died. People always thought my father so mighty, but he was reduced to a shadow after my mother’s death.”
I stepped closer to the painting and tilted my neck back to get a good look at it.
“Algar, Gunther, Louis—men think us women weak and inferior. They expect us to adore the ground they walk on and weep over the honor of their presence. But truth is, it’s women who carry a life in their bodies for nine months, under great threat to their own lives, and release it into this world under unimaginable pain. We bring them into this world, and sometimes, with some men, we need to take them from it.”
Dieter and Wimfred didn’t dare to say another word. I stared at my mother a little longer, then nodded at her.
Determined, I turned, my dress swirling around me as I did.
“Dieter, get two capable men and meet me in front of the stables. Wear a cape with a hood. We shall ride under disguise.”
“Yes, My Queen,” he said.
Good. No more arguing with me.
“Wimfred, stay here and keep a close eye on King Louis. Make certain he doesn’t get too comfortable with my people. I will be back before the fireworks are over.”
“Yes, My Queen,” he said.
Without another second to waste, I made my way to my chambers to get changed into something less obvious but still grand. If Alrick was indeed at the Dome, I would find him—even if I had to get God Almighty, or the devil, to help me.
