Page 106 of Once Upon a Crown
“Since when do you care about books?” she asked with a raised eyebrow.
“Would you rather talk about Aries and the impending battle where thousands of people are going to die and there is no guarantee that we won’t be defeated?” It was rather grim to think about.
“Well, when you put it like that, then yes, I suppose I’d rather talk about books.”
“I bet you’re reading a romance.”
“Why? Because I’m a woman?” Gwen was quick to be on the offensive and I revelled in the fact that I could so easily tease her.
“No, because you’re you.”
She frowned. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“It means I think you’re more of a romantic than you want people to think.”
“Oh, you reckon?” Her seriousness began to slip away as we fell into our usual back and forth.
“I do.” I took another sip of my tea, not particularly enjoying the taste but enjoying the company.
“And what made you come to this conclusion?”
“Well, you see, Lady Gwen, you like to read books but I’m very good at reading people.”
“A useful trait, I should think.”
“It can be,” I replied, tilting my head. I’d always known how people felt about me — how much they disliked me. I couldn’t say it was always a pleasure but at least I always knew where I stood.
“And what else have you noticed about me since you’re such a good observer?”
“You’re smart,” I said. “A lot smarter than people give you credit for. And you’re witty.” I did enjoy her sense of humour.
“Keep going,” Gwen insisted, clearly enjoying the compliments.
“You’re one of the strongest and most caring people I know.” Gwen would do anything for the people she loved, that much was obvious by now.
“You really think that?”
“I know that.”
“Sometimes you’re a lot kinder than you realise.” Her words took me by surprise. I wasn’t used to having someone say something nice about me. In fact, the whole thing felt quite foreign, making me unsure how to react.
“There isn’t a lot of room to be kind when you’re a monarch.”
“Is that what your father taught you?” she asked carefully. We’d never discussed my father before. I didn’t care to talk about him.
“I can’t say my father was a very kind man. I suppose it must have passed on to me.”
“I don’t believe that,” she replied. “I don’t think we’re just born with all our characteristics and that’s how we are for the rest of our lives. We have a choice in the way we want to act with others. Elara decided to take on the duty of being queen, my brother made a choice to betray his kingdom. It comes down to who you decide you want to be.”
“I suppose you’re right.” I gave her a knowing smile. “See, I told you that you’re smart.”
“It must be all the reading I’m doing.” She chuckled. “Who knew that books could make you smart?”
Chapter 42
Elara
There was a knock on my door as I put in my earrings.
