Total pages in book: 115
Estimated words: 107763 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 539(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107763 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 539(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
“Does that not all come from the king?” Oh no—I interrupted her.
“Ah, that comment again. Frederick is my son; he shall listen to me. And if I return, telling him that his brother has been misled and beguiled by some little noble girl after his title, then I am sure he too will see the necessity of cutting him off completely. Wilhelm thinks I abandoned him. He does not know that all these years it was my coin, my letters, that got him entrance throughout Europe. It was me who funded his life. My sister merely took credit—something she is very good at,” she sneered, looking over to Queen Charlotte, who was still taking the longest sip of tea, unbothered by her.
“You are saying if I do not force Wilhelm to return with you, you will cut him off and leave him to fend for himself here? And the queen will allow it?”
“My sister’s government would not like to make an enemy out of ours, now, would they? Princes are not just people; they are branches of a nation, sweet girl. And you would not wish him to suffer further humiliation and poverty because of your little dreams to be a princess, would you?”
“I assume he would have to return without me?”
“Yes. This engagement is not suitable. I understand my sister sought to help him settle in his ways, and it was difficult, considering his time away from our court. However, things will change now. He must return to his place, and you to yours. Your queen and I are not heartless, of course, and will see to it that you are married to the very best of society. No one will dare speak ill of you. So, Lady Hathor, I must ask you to please step aside and allow my son to finally be honored as he should have been.”
I inhaled deeply, exhaled harshly, and said, “No.”
“What?” she gasped out.
“I will not step aside, Your Majesty. Not unless Prince Wilhelm asks me to do so himself, and even then, I would have to challenge him to a duel for the sake of my reputation.”
“Ha!” Queen Charlotte laughed so hard, she actually had to cover her lips with her hand.
“You claim to care about him, and yet you will see him ruined?” Queen Augusta snapped, sitting on the edge of the chair now. “You will see him stripped of all that is owed to him?”
“Yes. If the queen’s hands are tied due to politics, I am quite sure my family will help him. Just as you care for your children, my family cares for me. So, my papa will most likely increase my dowry, so it is enough to live on, and we have other properties; I’m sure he’d give one to me. If we are shunned by society because of that, it is fine. My family will simply leave society. Luckily, I have a large enough family that I will not be bored. I do worry for my younger siblings’ marriage prospects, but I am sure something can be worked out, as Father has a great many loyal friends that would not see us so truly ostracized—”
“Lady Hathor!”
I jumped at the sound of her voice. “Yes, Your Majesty?”
“Do I look as though I am joking with you?”
“No, Your Majesty, you seem very serious, as am I.”
Her head whipped to her sister. “What is the matter with this girl? Did you not say she was reasonable?”
“Her reasoning is sound to me. I am surprised such a young girl can be so quick in wit, stubborn, and persevering. I wonder who taught her that,” Queen Charlotte said, and I had to hang my head to hide my smile. Did she always know this would happen? Was that why she chose me? She knew I would be able to speak to her sister like this?
“Whoever her teacher was, they clearly lacked refinement,” Queen Augusta said. “Have you ever been an enemy to a queen, Lady Hathor?”
“No, ma’am, I’ve only ever read about evil queens in storybooks. Fortunately, I have never met any in real life. I hope to remain so blessed.”
“Evil queens?” she repeated, and then looked back at her sister. “Is she calling me evil?”
“No, sister, I believe she is talking about books she’s read, not you; she would never. That would be rude, and no young lady under my care would be so ill-mannered.”
“Lady Hathor, whom do you consider to be an evil queen? Surely not a mother looking out for her son?”
“Any queen who works against love and not for it, Your Majesty, is usually deemed evil in books.”
“And you believe yourself in love with my son?”
“I do not believe. I know I am.”
“And how do you know?”
“I do not know how to tell you what I feel. Or convince you of my heart. I love him and because of that I am working to hold my tongue before you.”