Page 18 of Legacy of Glass
The warmth and sincerity in his voice almost made Olivia soften, but she steeled her spine. His words were probably a show for the crowd, just like his smile. The people around them were standing back at a respectful distance but were still close enough to overhear words spoken at a normal conversational volume.
“We’ve been sequestered down the far end of the ballroom,” King Robert said, “discussing an urgent issue with Lord Strathmore. But we heard the excitement at her arrival.” The king nodded at the empty glass in Julius’s hand. “I presume everything has gone smoothly?”
“Of course it has,” Queen Elsinore said in satisfied tones. “I arranged it all myself.”
“Not as smoothly as I would have liked,” Julius said through his teeth, making both his parents frown.
“Come, Julius,” his mother said in a whisper. “I made sure to choose a girl who is both beautiful and lively. I’m sure you can have no cause for complaint.”
Julius cleared his throat, the back of his neck going red. “Her beauty is not the issue.” He kept his voice lowered.
King Robert sighed, his voice equally quiet. “I thought you understood your duty, son, and were ready to play your part. As I did mine when I was your age.”
“And look how happily it turned out for us.” The queen put her hand on her husband’s arm and beamed up at him.
A growing sense of foreboding crept over Olivia. She still didn’t understand what they were saying, but it was increasingly clear that she wasn’t supposed to be privy to this conversation. She wasn’t supposed to be a part of whatever was happening at all.
She glanced to either side, considering the chances of slipping out of the alcove without being noticed by either of the monarchs. They didn’t seem good.
A note of indulgent amusement came into the queen’s voice as she stepped past her son. “But I’m surprised you’re staying so quiet,—”
She broke off abruptly, staring at Olivia.
Olivia stared back before coming to her senses and dropping into a deep curtsy. “Your Majesty,” she murmured, relieved her voice came out steady.
“But who are you?” the queen gasped, clearly struggling to keep her voice low enough not to be overheard by the crowd.
“I’m Olivia,” Olivia stammered for the second time that evening as the king also pressed forward to get a proper look at her.
“Julius, what you have done?” the queen wailed in an under voice while the king turned on his son with a threatening growl, his words all the more menacing for being quietly spoken.
“What is this?”
“What do you mean—?” the prince asked indignantly from behind his parents before cutting himself off and casting a lightning quick glance over his shoulder.
“Olivia is overheated,” he said in a louder voice, although Olivia could see the strain in his face. “Why don’t we step outside for some fresh air and proper introductions?”
A silent hand gesture brought two guards forward from further down the wall. Before Olivia knew what was happening, the men had the doors to her left open and were bowing the party of four outside.
Prince Julius gave the taller of the two a significant look and received a reassuring nod in return. The man closed the doors firmly behind them and took up post inside the ballroom with his back to the glass. His mien must have been stern enough to keep crowds at bay because the faces Olivia had been expecting to appear at the glass failed to materialize.
She turned slowly to face her three companions, gulping as she realized she was alone on the long stone terrace with the king, the queen, and their only son. The king and queen were faced off against Julius, clearly furious about something, and for the moment, none of them were looking at her. But being ignored only served to make clear who was the true outsider among them.
Where had everything gone so terribly wrong? One minute she was on her way to fulfill her dream with her friend at her side, and the next she was alone with the entire royal family.
The king and Prince Julius were still talking over the top of one another, but the queen turned to look at Olivia, regarding her as if she had destroyed all their carefully laid plans.
Olivia dropped into another curtsy for good measure. “I think there’s been some sort of misunderstanding.”
“Oh Julius, how could you?” wailed the queen, cutting through her husband and son’s stream of words. She seized the prince’s arm. “I don’t care how beautiful she is! How could you?”
Olivia flushed, unsure if she was being complimented or insulted.
“What do her looks have to do with anything?” The prince carefully kept his eyes away from Olivia. “And why are you shaking me? I don’t understand why you’re both so upset. You’re the one who chose her!”
Cold washed over Olivia from her crown to her feet. What was he talking about? She was certain the queen hadn’t even known of her existence until a minute ago. She certainly hadn’t chosen Olivia for anything.
“Chose her?” the queen gasped. “I did no such thing!” She turned to Olivia, her eyes narrowing. “Who are you, child? And where is Lady Marigold?”
