Page 3 of Fated (The Queen's Mates 3)

Galvanized into action, she straightened her tweed jacket and waved over a woman carrying a clipboard. “Andrea, we will have tea in my office for two immediately. Her Majesty wishes to discuss…the school?” As she said the last, she glanced at me.

“Indeed,” I agreed. “We are making a plan for inclusivity of all.”

I was not sure she knew what I meant although I was sure she understood the word. But then she looked toward my group and saw Gina, and the smile breaking out on her face made me think I’d found an ally in my quest.

“Yes. With planning and the right funding, we can make great strides.”

Funding. The woman was no fool whatsoever.

A fact that was confirmed when we sat with our cups in her small but organized office. Under Bors’ regency, she’d had barely enough to pay the minimum number of teachers, who even had to clean their own rooms at night because janitors were not in the budget. My new minister of education, Lucinda, had, when I asked if she had a wish list of improvements, pulled out a fat binder bulging with copies of correspondence she’d sent requesting money for breakfast and lunch programs, sports, music, the arts, and, among others, all things necessary to include Gina and other differently abled children to fully participate in school life.

Paging through it, I noticed something very relevant to me personally. “Sign language. It’s no secret my hearing is failing. I see you have someone listed here who teaches this skill. Do you think he could help even me?”

He was her cousin, and he worked with all ages.

Before I left, I had Gina brought in so she could express her wishes. “This child is the only reason I am here today. Without her, I might have continued to neglect my duties to the schools.”

Lucinda stood and came around her desk. She dropped to one knee beside me and bowed. “Your Majesty, this day is more than I ever dreamed of. I only stayed in the kingdom because I couldn’t leave the children to the regent’s tender mercies. He never even answered one of my letters, but I always feared if he did, it would be by slamming me in that dungeon.”

I took her hands and stood, bringing her with me. “Don’t thank me yet. You have one more job as well, Minister.”

“Anything.”

“When you take up the reins of your new job, you’ll need to hire someone to replace you here.”

Laughter broke through her tears like sun through a rain shower. “Of course. There’s always a catch.”

Two hours later, when I was inspecting my newly updated suite, I reflected on the day and all the changes. I’d had a very bad moment in the throne room before Gina rolled up to remind me of what was truly important. And then Lucinda even more.

My loss was devastating, but it was only one of the many in my kingdom. And my duty lay clear. I had the ability to create change for the better. A great gift bestowed upon me by my parents and fate. A gift my sister and the High Council helped me to claim.

A gift I would never take for granted.

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