Elestine turned to Scarlett, her gaze piercing. “Given what we’ve discussed, I’ll call John Bates and insist the bureau release all the evidence to Parliament. And of course, we’ll speak to the Sigur Viður ambassador.” John Bates was in charge of the Soleil Bureau.
Scarlett’s features were wooden as she tried to process this confusing development. “Yes, let’s insist. Thank you.”
When Scarlett, Alastair, and Elestine arrived at the budget-committee meeting, one of the lords lingering in the standing area at the back of the room made a beeline for Scarlett.
“Welcome to Parliament, my dear,” said the elderly, white-haired man with tiny round spectacles. His name popped into Scarlett’s head: Lord Otis Garfield. They’d met a few times at state dinners.
“Thank you,” said Scarlett warmly.
“Looking forward to working with you. I heard they caughtyour father’s assassin. I can’t believe we lost him to those devils in the north.”
Scarlett took his offered hand. “Yes, it’s quite a shock. I’m keen to hear more from the bureau. Lord Garfield—”
“Otis,” he interjected. “No need to stand on ceremony when it’s just us peers.”
He’d casually called her a peer. How long would it take to get used to that?
“Thank you, Otis.”
Several more members of Parliament greeted her before she managed to sit. Many peers blatantly stared at her.
Moira Ashworth approached Scarlett right as the meeting was due to begin. Goose bumps covered Scarlett at the sight of the woman who looked so much like Laylani.
“Lady Heroux, wonderful to see you well. Would you like to say a few words when we begin?” Her face was a polite mask.
“Of course,” said Scarlett with a bland smile.
Moira narrowed her eyes, apparently surprised by her lack of fluster.
Scarlett’s new vox powers gave her heightened confidence. Without them, she’d probably be nervous about giving an unrehearsed speech right after this strange news about Sigur Viður. First impressions were important, and lords and ladies were notoriously vicious about poor public speaking. These were much higher stakes than all the public speaking she’d done for her politics degree. But she’d outshine Moira, today and always, until she managed to take her down.
“You’re going to be wonderful,” said Nori.“I’m right here with you.”
“Perfect.” Moira’s smile was acerbic as she turned to the podium to start the session. As head of the Goldenrods, she flourished in the spotlight. Her voice carried clear and steady across the room as she addressed the peers. “Before we begin, ithas become public knowledge that Lord Jules Heroux, our dear friend and colleague, was murdered because Sigur Viður didn’t like his politics.”
Outrage echoed around the room as the peers cursed Sigur Viður.
“Jules and I didn’t always see eye to eye—”
Grumblings of assent from Elestine and others confirmed that. Moira’s voice grew louder to cover the noise.
“But I believe in the right of the government of Soleil to operate without foreign influence. We must discuss our response to the news Sigur Viður is responsible for the death of a Soleil prime minister, and as such, the budget meeting is canceled.”
Scarlett studied the faces of the peers. Everyone, Ceruleans and Goldenrods alike, was nodding. She wished her vox abilities would allow her to see how other speakers were being received, but to her disappointment, she saw nothing.
“You may have noticed we have a new peer in our midst. Scarlett Heroux is here today, ready to fill the House Heroux seat. How fitting that she joins us on the day we’ll be discussing retribution for her family tragedy. Lady Heroux, the floor is yours.”
“You’ve got this!”cheered Nori.“Let the rise of Scarlett Heroux begin!”
The back of Scarlett’s neck prickled at her light’s encouragement as she made her way to the front of the room. Although she was confident, her palms were sweating, and her heart raced as she stared out at the vast room filled with almost two hundred of her colleagues.
This is for you, Dad.
When she spoke, her voice was strong. “It’s an honor and a privilege to join the leaders of Soleil, and I’m relieved to be here to speak on my father’s behalf. If he were here, he’d tell us to putthe citizens of Soleil first.”
Peers in the audience spoke in barely lowered voices, as was common during a speech, but streams of gold dust rose into the air above them.
Relieved, she continued. “I’m optimistic we’ll be able to realize many of his dreams. My deepest desire is to open the economic borders in order to raise the standard of living for those in Soleil, as well as those abroad.”
