Page 16 of Burning Crowns

‘I can certainly try,’ said Rose.

Celeste laughed uneasily. ‘Well, I suppose if anyone can, you can.’

Rose smiled at her friend. ‘We can trust Wren, Celeste. In fact, I’d wager my life on it.’

Celeste sighed. ‘I wish you wouldn’t.’

‘Now,’ said Rose, as if she hadn’t heard her. ‘What shall we have for breakfast?’

After breakfast, Rose met with Chapman in the throne room to discuss the day’s agenda. She yawned as she pored over the stack of papers the steward had prepared for her, only brightening when she saw that one of the items was to be the establishment of new schoolhouses throughout Eana.

Rose and Wren both felt that while displays of magic was certainly one way to win over the people of Eana, the best approach was for the children to learn about magic and where it came from. That way, they wouldn’t grow up to fear it.

‘Fetch me a map,’ said Rose to Chapman. ‘We can decide where the new schoolhouses should be and allocate funding accordingly.’

Chapman sighed. ‘Your Majesty, that particular topic is fourth on today’s agenda. We have much to discuss before that.’

‘Chapman, I am the queen,’ Rose reminded him, impatiently. ‘I am not beholden to any agenda. I may skip to whatever items I like.’

Chapman cleared his throat. ‘But, Your Majesty, we first need to go over the finances. Only then can we know how much coin we have to allocate. To do that, we must meet with the keeper of the treasury, and they aren’t arriving until noon.’ He huffed a sigh. ‘And before that, we must discuss the trade requests from neighbouring nations so we know what kind of position we are in when we meet with the keeper of the treasury.’

Rose rubbed her temples, wondering when her wayward sister would show her face. Wren had an uncanny ability for wriggling her way out of meetings. ‘Very well. We’ll save the map for later.’ She took a large sip of coffee, grateful it was still hot. ‘Shall we go through the recent trade requests? Now that magic is being celebrated in Eana, it’s pleasing to see more interest in our kingdom.’

‘Indeed,’ said Chapman, with no small amount of satisfaction. ‘While magic isn’t something that can be traded, our neighbours are certainly eager to remain on the good side of a country that can now control the wind, among other things.’

Rose gave him a sly smile. ‘I never imagined our tempests would be the ones who impressed you the most, Chapman.’

The steward chuckled. ‘You forget I encounter Rowena every day. Her temper is a mighty thing to behold. And the storms she brews even more so.’

Rose laughed. ‘Chapman, do you fancy Rowena?’

Chapman flushed. ‘Certainly not! But one cannot deny that she is very noticeable.’ His moustache twitched, giving him away, but he ploughed on determinedly. ‘Now. Speaking of trade requests, and erm … fancying people …’

Rose smiled. ‘Yes?’

‘Well, Caro has sent an ambassador to discuss their most recent trade request.’

‘And you fancy the ambassador?’

Chapman’s blush deepened. ‘No, no, no, Your Majesty. Nothing of the sort!’ He cleared his throat. ‘Well, what I mean is, it doesn’t concern me, and he isn’tstrictlyan ambassador, or, well, I suppose he insists he is, but the trouble is, he’s also, well, hmm—’

‘Chapman, I’ve never known you to be so muddled with your words,’ said Rose, with mounting exasperation. ‘Please speak some sense.’

There came a sudden, loud trumpeting from outside the throne room.

Chapman glanced at his pocket watch. ‘Oh dear. He’s early. But I suppose that’s a good sign.’ He was beginning to sweat. ‘Better early than late.’

‘Really, Chapman. What are you blundering on about? And where is that infernal trumpeting coming from?’ Rose flinched at the racket. ‘Has Wren secretly planned another concert I don’t know about?’

‘Your Majesty, now please remember, I only want the best for you. And for this country, of course.’ Chapman stood up and offered his arm. ‘If I may escort you to the balcony?’

‘The balcony?’ Rose blinked in confusion. ‘Whatever for? I thought we were on a schedule.’

‘Thisispart of the schedule.’ He tried to smile but his moustache trembled, and Rose had the sudden sense that the steward was nervous. ‘It will all make sense shortly.’

She stood, shaking out her skirts. ‘I certainly hope so.’

Chapman led her to the balcony, where not long ago, Rose and Wren had stood after their coronation, waving to their adoring subjects. As Chapman opened the doors, the trumpeting grew louder. Beneath the thunderous melody, Rose heard the braying of horses.

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