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)
“This is you holding your tongue?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“I cannot believe it. What would you say if you were allowed to speak freely? If I were not Prince Wilhelm’s mother?”
I was silent.
“Oh, do not hold back now. Speak. That is an order.”
I was insane, surely. I was mad. But I did so. “If you were not a queen, if you were not his mother, I would tell you to apologize.”
“I beg your pardon. Apologize to whom?”
“To your son, for banishing him after he fought to protect you, for being so cold. Leaving money and calling in favors does not redeem that. My mama says we children should think more of our parents, and I try. I cannot imagine what a hard position you must have been in. How you must have suffered, torn between being a mother, a wife, and a queen. I have learned that being royal is unforgiving and suffocating. I know that women have little power against their husbands, and none at all against kings. I understand it all, but nevertheless, a mother should never be too proud to apologize. No matter how old we children are, we need to hear it. That is the only way we can forgive you. Wilhelm found out his father died, and he could not feel anything. My heart hurts for him. I cannot fathom how much pain it takes before you feel nothing, but it must be a lot. Each time he speaks of home, he is in pain. Why would anyone wish to return to that? Even if I were not here, he would not return. I am sure of it. Because you have not truly apologized to him. It seems so little, but it means so much.” I realized my voice had gotten too high and that my words were a little too direct. So, I quickly added, “That is what I would say if I were not holding my tongue, Your Majesty.”
She was silent.
So silent I could hear my own breathing.
“Lady Hathor, that is all. You may retire for the evening,” Queen Charlotte said.
I curtsied and quickly left, before I lost my head.
Wilhelm
It was dark when I awoke, which is why the sight of my mother dressed in black, standing by the window, nearly caused my heart to sink in terror.
“Mother, it is evening. Must you wear black even now?” I grumbled, rubbing my eyes to adjust to the dim light coming in from the moon.
“What do you see in that girl?” she asked, still looking out the window. I had no idea why she and my aunt did this so often.
“Mother, I am in no mood to talk about this—”
“I do not care. Tell me, of all women, why have you chosen her? Were you not against marrying?”
“Who told you that? Were you spying on me?”
“Do not answer my questions with questions; it is vexing,” she snapped. “Make me understand why her, or I will not leave.”
“I cannot make you understand it. I barely understand it myself. For the first time I can ever remember, I am happy with someone. She frustrates me one moment and makes me laugh the next. She is very proudly and boldly herself. She takes my side, no matter how wrong I am; she does not care. Yet at the same time, she does not allow herself to be bullied by anyone, myself included.”
“So, she is very much unlike me.”
I frowned at that. “I merely meant she is like a whirlwind of life and fun. I cannot answer beyond that.”
“I have a proposition.”
“What are you talking about, and can it wait until the morning—”
“I am talking about your Lady Hathor.”
“What about her?”
“If you promise to return home with me, I shall give my blessing to this marriage.”
I rolled my eyes. “Mother, I am marrying her whether you give your blessing or not.”
“And how shall you provide for her?” I did not answer, as I had no answer. “Exactly. Do you know she said she was willing to provide for you?”
“She what?”
“Apparently, she is so in love with you, she’s willing to take as much as she can from her father in dowry. So, I guess your assessment is right. She is bold, daring, loyal, and a bit self-serving. I see why you both like her.” She huffed, turning back to me. “But luckily, I know you to be proud, and your ego would not allow you to live off her dowry alone. You will want your inheritance.”
“Not if it costs me my freedom.”
“Do not be ridiculous. You have never had freedom, none of us have. Freedom is for peasants. We are bound by higher things. No matter how far you travel, you will need us, and we will need you. Your brother needs you. The moment your father died, everyone was bowing to him, and his very first order was for you to be escorted home safely. He was going to send an army if needed. That is how much he missed you.”