“Like hell,” I blurted out.
“Prince Owen,” Lucas said, “if you would refrain from your usual outbursts, it would be far easier for us to have a civilized discussion about this especially important subject.”
“Forgive me, Your Majesty, for refusing to believe there’s anything civilized about the proposed stance.”
His jaw tensed, and he clearly struggled to swallow before turning his attention back to the prime minister. “Well, as you can see, Prime Minister Lawrence, this is a private family matter that will require some discussion among ourselves before we reach a decision about how we will handle it with the public. I assure you, however, that we will alert you to our decision before we issue any statements.”
“I appreciate your consideration,” Lawrence said.
My cheeks filled with heat as some unseen force seemed to weigh against my chest. I hardly heard the rest of Lawrence’s conversation with my brother before she excused herself and went on her way. Frederick also excused himself as we handled the family affair, Lucas and I heading straight to find Sharon—our mère—in the North Library, where she sat on a chaise, invested in a book. As Lucas relayed the dilemma Lawrence had presented him with, all I could think about was the two most important women in my life.
Our father had passed of a heart attack before I had been born, and after a time, Mother fell in love with our governess, leaving them the only parents I had ever really known.
The ones who had raised Lucas and me.
They had been the ones who had first shown me what it was like to have two parents who really loved, not only their children, but one another.
It was a secret we had been forced to carry all our lives for fear of public opinion, and at one time, the possibility of being taken from Mother.
After Lucas stated the problem presented by Lawrence, I stated what I felt was the most salient point in all this: “How can you stand here in front of Mère and honestly consider remaining apolitical about something that affects our own family, our own history like this?”
The very thought offended my sensibilities.
“It is more complicated than this,” Mère insisted, surely trying to mediate between us, as she had many times throughout our lives.
“Mère, this isn’t the times Mother lived in. Even that poll reveals, if anything, that the people are more understanding than ever before.”
“But we represent these people,” Lucas said.
“Yes,allthe people, not just the majority.”
“He’s not taking a standagainstit,” Mère pointed out. “He would be maintaining Queen Tara’s position on a political issue of this sort.”
I growled at the idea of maintaining any position out of cowardice. Mère was being too generous for her own good. I assumed since the contrary position benefited her, she believed herself too biased to insist upon what was the right side of this debate.
“I do not stand by this decision, personally,” I insisted.
“None of us stand by this personally,” Lucas barked. “This is not the point. We all feel the same in our hearts, but what we say publicly is another matter. We are the Crown. We must be more for the people than our own desires. It is our duty to our calling, which we must consider in times like these.”
“Our duty is to stand for what is right and act as a moral beacon to the people we serve.”
“Who are we if not to reflect their values?”
“Who are we if we reflect merely the worst part of those values?”
Lucas sighed. He must’ve known he wouldn’t be changing my mind on this.
No, I could not stand by and let him wash over not only our mother and the very nature of our childhood, but every person in the country who suffered in silence for generations as well.
“Owen, I understand your issue. I really do. But I am asking that you honor our mother’s wishes, as well as Mère’s, and not present a contrary opinion on the upcoming bill. As of now, when this is revealed, I will state, as always, that the Crown does not have a political position in this political affair. No statements, officially or unofficially.”
“Mère,” I said, like I would have as a child when I hadn’t gotten my way.
She sighed.
“Mère, is that truly all right with you?” Lucas asked, as though, given her wish otherwise, he would have changed his position, not for his own sake, but hers.
She pondered it for a moment before nodding. “Yes, this is what is best. O, you must understand…”
