Rosalinda was graceful—that had been Finnr’s gift, if Angelique remembered correctly—but it was not the practiced and controlled elegance possessed by her mother. Rather, it was the grace of someone well assured of their place in the world, an assurance echoed by the stubborn light in her purpleeyes.
Really, Princess Rosalinda wasn’t likeanyof the nobles present. For she stood with a boldness that could only be inspired by purpose, and Angelique would bet her dress that Rosalinda’s purpose was about to clash with Giuseppe’sfear.
King Giuseppe seemed to sense it himself, for he stood. “Rosalinda, you should be in yourlessons.”
The princess offered Angelique a smile as she stopped next to her. As Angelique watched, she rolled her shoulders back, and her smile turned sharp when she faced hergrandfather.
“Yes,” Rosalinda said. “I’m afraid skipping lessons is just another one of the many weaknesses you’ll have to add to the list of myfailures.”
King Giuseppe narrowed his eyes. “Return to your class—this does not concernyou.”
“Quite the contrary—it very much concerns me.” The princess shook her head like a disappointed tutor. “Not only will I one day inherit this kingdom, but I also happen to be one of your subjects who once lived in the country.” Her smile turned brittle. “So, if that were still so, would you mean to let medie,Grandfather?”
Angelique barely managed to keep her expression placid.Oh yes. They are related. They just haveverydifferentopinions.
King Giuseppe frowned. “That is enough,Rosalinda.”
“No, it’s not. Not by half.” Rosalinda shook her head. “You are the king. You have been entrusted not merely with land and resources, but with lives. The people pay your taxes and follow your laws because they trust you to guard them. This is how you mean to repaythem?”
“You speak of things that you know nothing about,” King Giuseppesaid.
“Wrong again! Perhaps if I was raised in thisfesteringplace, that would be true, but I happened to receive a fine education as a child, and I can confidently say that what you are about to decree isnotwhat a good ruler would do,” Rosalinda said in a strong,loudvoice.
Angelique wanted to cheer, but she suspected doing so wouldn’t make Rosalinda’s argument any more persuasive based on the king’s bodylanguage.
King Giuseppe clenched his jaw. “You dare to speak out against me—tohumiliateour family in this way—inpublic?”
“If I had a hope you could be reasoned with in private, I might have waited.Or if someone else had spoken out,” Rosalinda let her gaze linger momentarily on her parents before she returned her now steely eyes to her grandfather. “But no one will because you have them toobrowbeaten!”
Angelique actually snorted in appreciation at that line. Thankfully, King Giuseppe’s shout covered up the undignifiedsound.
“Guards! Remove the princess and take her to her chambers!” hesaid.
“At least let the Magic Knights go,” Rosalinda said. “This is what they werecreatedfor, to protect the people and react quickly—not to stand by likenursemaids!”
“The knights will do as Isay.”
“That’s not how it is supposed tobe!”
“Enough, Rosalinda! You are a foolish child, and you will be held responsible for your careless manners!” King Giuseppe managed to push the anger out of his face as his expression settled into a stonycoldness.
“Father…” Princess Alessia quietlystarted.
“Silence!”
Princess Alessia sank back into her throne, lookingchastised.
Rosalinda glanced over her shoulder—a move Angelique copied so as to espy the soldiers who were slowly picking their way through the crowd, their faces twisted withdread.
When the soldiers reached them, Rosalinda whipped back to her grandfather and glared at him with eyes the same purple color as his. She lifted her chin and uttered in a voice as cold as winter, “You, King Giuseppe, have the same death grip, the same twisted hold the nobility used to have on Sole before the Queen of Hearts. Mark my words, just as she wrested control from the nobles, if you do not change, someone will rip it fromyou!”
She left in a whirlwind of skirts and chestnut hair, her ladies-in-waiting gliding behind her (with the visibly relieved soldiers trooping afterthem).
“As for you—” King Giuseppe started, turning his attention back toAngelique.
Angelique didn’t even bother waiting to hear more. She turned her back on him and ignored his sputters as she followed Rosalinda out of the throne room and into thehallway.
I have no time to waste on a ruler who doesn’t intend to act on behalf of his ownpeople.
