I couldn't come to any conclusions this early. No, I couldn't. Perhaps I was mistaken greatly. My baby sister could not do anything like this. She was too pure and innocent for all this poisonous work. That was her elder siblings work.
Or was she not innocent?
Ruby's idea was immediately taken into effect. It was seen as a perfect solution for the problem. It was, I wouldn't disagree. But I couldn't shake off the unsettling feeling. I watched as she exited the court after the proceedings talking to the Queen.
Soon, I realised that everyone had left and I had not even shifted in my seat. I breathed out and got up making my way out.
"Surprising change of events, was it not?" An icy voice spoke.
I turned and meet the gaze of Lord Samuel Ellison, one of the ministers of Privy Council. He too hadn't left yet but had managed to camouflage himself in his seat somehow.
"Lord Ellison. I did not see you there." I pretended a smile.
"Surprising that you were chosed for this. Your Highness, you will have to be observant for this event. Surely, you can do that?" He said in a tone that wasn't assuring but mocking. As if he was judging my abilities.
"You have no knowledge of what I can do, my lord." I replied, with a voice that was icy than his.
If one had expertise on the topic of conversation, they would know that me and Lord Ellison never stood on the same foot. We had this cold relation that was kind off exhilarating for the both of us. He judged me and so did I. Never had we ever talked straightly with each other.
"Being a Minister in the Privy Council is enough an answer for the testament of my knowledge, Your Highness."
Sure, being in the Privy Council was no small achievement. The members didn't just earn from working for the crown but held the responsibility of it. Advicing the Monarch take critical decisions; be it personal or professional. At times taking some themselves, in the absense of the King. The post of a member wasn't passed down from heir to heir but was appointed by the King himself after putting them through vigorous knowlege and maturity examinations. And their opinion mattered. They were a powerhouse of authority, respect and honor. Arrogance came complimentary with it.
When one of the members said to tighten the security, it was taken into priority. Unfortunately, the cunning thinking of Ruby took over.
"Your knowledge fell short today, My Lord. Ruby had to give her own."
"Intervene would be a better word for it. Although, It was much better than someone else's atleast."
"Just admit you failed, Lord Ellison. I won't make a thing of it."
He laughed in his hollow, empty grunt. "Make sure you don't fail the Jubilee, Your Highness. Considering the latest tension between you and His Majesty." And saying so, he left with a smirk on his face.
Having acidic speech with a royal surely indictated the carrier had inflated personality. But then again, I understood that Lord Ellison spoke with everyone in this way. Even with His Majesty. It kind of affected me less beacuse, well....I was used to it.
As I walked out of the Ivory Court, I felt air travelling back thorugh my nose as I breathed in. The construction was truly suffocating of that room. What was more suffocating was the realisation of the sudden change of behaviour that the Monarch had. It went from cold and averted to being warm and welcome so suddenly it made me question my entire relationship with them as a daughter. It had been five and twenty years to my living and never had my Kin understood what kind of a person I am. My disapointment did not come from being rejected by an idea I was not allowed to give. It came from the baggage of my entire life. Did the King really think my outburst came from not being able to decide which flowers will be adorned in the event?
In all senses I was assigned the management of the Jubilee which was arranged quite some weeks later. Or so I thought. Because the moment I passed the Grand staircase and proceeded towards my wing, I was stopped abruptly.
It was the Lord Chamberlain. He acknowledged the fact that I was assigned as the Head for management for the Jubilee and not him this time. "I will be your ears and eyes for this event. Whatever order you wish to imply for your father's event will be sculpted in the perfect way. We will-"
"It's His Majesty." I smiled meekly. "And please be sure, I will not tolerate any speck of incomptence for the Jubilee." Since I have got the job, why not do it with perfection?
In the matter of half an hour, I was accoustomed with the entire staffing appointed for the event. I was basically dragged to the Grand Court where the event would be held for some prelimnary checks. I shook my head into reality and told myself once again that there was no backing away from this.
The Grand Court was the largest and grandest of all the rooms, halls and courts of the entire palace. It could easily fit over five hundred citizens at one time in the sidelines. While in the long way towards the throne were seats assigned for the Privy Council and other members of the Royal Assembly, the end of the room had a big space for the Throne which were lead up by vast oval staircases. A big chair denoted the Monarch's seating and two behind for the immediate heirs. One stair down from the throne was some space for the Queen and rest of the family.
As I analysed how the I could map out the entire event, I saw a bizzare situation coming forth. Or maybe, a bizzare person.
"Don't do anything that displeases Father. You know he has a hot head." Wilius noted as he walked handsomely.
"Don't you worry. I will do a much better job than if you were appointed." I squinted my vision. "I have the eye."
"I'll take your word for it Sister. Let's see how this event of yours turns out." He replied.
"Well, it will be magnificient. Look at that," I pointed out. "That's your seat. The heir will be given equal treatment in this event. Since you will be carrying forward His Majesty's legacy."
"Whatever." Wilius rolled his eyes. "I'll leave you to it, Sister. I have better things to get to."
____
"And now, all you have to do is..." Mrs. Reed said gently as she gracefully moved around. "Remove it in a bowl and serve."
"It looks heavenly." I grabbed a spoon, ready to dig into the delectable dessert. But Mrs. Reed bared me from it. "Neighbors eat first. Family later."
I nodded and let go of the spoon but then her words stalled me. 'Neighbors eat first. Family later.' "I should thank you, Mrs. Reed....for considering me family."
She caressed my face. "I don't consider you family, Ambre. You ARE my family. You are the son I never had."
I breathed uncomfortably. 'Son I never had.' I detested the fact that I lied to that one person who didn't seem like she suffered my presence around herself. How I wish I could tell her the truth...tell her my actual identity. My eyes pooled as I tried to hide my overwhelming emotion. After that Mrs. Reed dragged me outside to distribute some amount of the dessert. "We'll go to Alex's first."
I grimaced at the thought of meeting with Alex ever so casually. He knew about my goal of reaching the Legion's quarter and I beared his life's secrets. It had always been give and take, but I would have the dominance since he had a very tense backstory. Regardless, it was just a dessert and I didn't want to dissappoint Mrs. Reed so I decided to go with it.
I basically deposited the vessel in Alex's house and was already ready to leave but Mrs. Reed caught me by my arm while saying, "Wait for some time, it doesn't make us look good."
Alex definately had to have a very big sweet tooth, for he finished the dessert in just one sitting. "So fantastic." He marveled.
Just as me and Mrs. Reed were exiting, Alex dropped what felt like the biggest bombshell there could ever be. "Why don't you wait, Ambre? We can discuss so much about yours and my secrets. You know, why don't we elaborate to Mrs. Reed?"
I looked at Mrs. Reed with the expression of the biggest apology there could ever be. For Alex definitely had had enough of me.
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