Page 15 of Learning to Rule

“Viscountess May,” I interrupt their conversation and curtsy. “The queen requests the pleasure of your company.”

“Me?” The older woman pretends to act surprised, even though I already know she’s a constant companion of the queen. It’s just a show she’s putting on for the group of women she’s with. I manage to stop myself from rolling my eyes at the appalling act.

“Please, Viscountess, if you would come this way.”

I smile politely while my stomach is turning in revulsion. Why does no one see what’s going on? This isn’t a grand charitable event to support the people of Janastria. It’s an excuse for the ladies of the court to get drunk and gossip—it’s just a publicity act and a poorly thought out one at that.

I escort the viscountess to the queen and leave them to chat, grateful for a few moments of peace.

“You are doing really well. Please don’t worry.” Miss Digby appears at my side.

“Thank you,” I reply with exhaustion.

I long for a day of lying in bed and just sleeping. A worrying feeling sits in my gut—I love Dalton, but this life. I’m not sure I’ll be able to survive it.

“She wasn’t always this way. That’s the sad thing. However, I think she’s too far gone to change now.” The lady-in-waiting looks sadly at her employer.

“What do you mean?” I question, watching the queen as she sways drunkenly on her seat.

“She was a great beauty in her youth. I think that’s where Prince Dalton gets his handsome looks from—it’s certainly not from the king’s side of the family. Unfortunately, she was thrown at the king for the advancement of her family’s name. They never loved each other. After Prince Dalton was born, the king realized she was never going to produce him a spare heir, and she was left to her own devices. She found lovers, but mostly, she found drink. It’s consumed her, and she can never change now. It’s a shame. She could have been a great queen if only she’d stood up to her husband. Sadly, she wasn’t strong enough. I’m glad you are.”

“What?” My head spins.

“Prince Dalton’s changing, as I’m sure you’ve been told. We’re starting to believe he’ll make a good king, and it’s because of you. Get through this month, Miss Nash. Fight hard. Don’t judge us all based on the behavior of the king and queen.”

“I’m trying.”

We both fall silent, watching the queen as she commands her court.

“You.” The queen waves her hand at me. “I’ve had enough. It’s time to go.”

The queen gets to her feet, well tries. I’m back at her side in an instant, helping her to walk. We both smile politely at the assembled crowd as they clear the way for us, curtsying as we pass.

We don’t get far, though, when the queen stumbles. I manage to keep her upright, but it’s at my own cost. Losing my footing, I knock against a table full of lavish china plates with left over small cakes and sandwiches. The table rocks, and as I fall to the floor, the table tumbles, spilling its contents everywhere. All around me are flashes of cameras as I will the ground to open up and swallow me whole.

* * *

I’m sitting bolt upright on the antique couch in the king’s lounge as he presses the pause button on my embarrassing incident now replaying on the television.

“See, I knew you weren’t royal material, Miss Nash. It’s embarrassing, tripping over your own feet. It’s all over the news. The pictures are everywhere. I suppose I should be glad you didn’t fall headfirst into the cakes.” The king turns on me, his voice laced with venom. “You are a commoner and not a particularly graceful one. You’ll bring shame to our royal blood.”

I try my hardest to suppress the tears threatening to break free. When I fell, I actually hurt my arm, and it’s been throbbing ever since. I long for my home and for my yoga class. This wasn’t how I expected this visit to turn out.

I knew Dalton’s parents weren’t the most kind and loving, but the king and queen are beyond evil in my mind. Clearly, privilege and royal breeding don’t guarantee a good person. It’s nothing short of a miracle Dalton has even one kind bone in his body.

I open my mouth to apologize for the hundredth time, but Dalton barges into the room. His face is red, and his jaw set with anger. He comes straight over to me and pulls me to his side.

“Don’t you dare berate Elodie for this debacle,” Dalton shouts at his father.

“Remember your place,” his father reminds him.

“No, not when you are determined to hurt the one good thing that’s ever happened to me in my life. Elodie is not to blame for this, my drunken mother is. You can see that Elodie is helping to keep her upright. You should be praising Elodie. The headlines could have been vastly different if my mother had ended up falling down drunk.”

“Dalton—” his father starts, but my lover interrupts him.

“No, enough with your stupid games, Father. Elodie has proven she’s loyal to this family and prevented a disaster from happening to my drunken mother. I’m going to take Elodie to the mountains for a few days. We’re not to be disturbed.”

Dalton grabs my hand, and before I can say anything, he pulls me from the room without even allowing me the chance to give a parting curtsy to the king.

---