Page 33 of Legacy of Glass
Julius cleared his throat and offered her his arm, remembering what still lay before them. “We need to walk through the palace and join my parents on the front steps. They will make the official announcement of the betrothal from there.”
He half expected her to protest or make some complaint, but she merely took his arm and walked silently beside him through the long length of the palace. From the surreptitious glances she kept casting left and right, he suspected it was their surroundings and not his presence that had inspired a mood of respectful silence. Unlike Julius himself, the castle never faltered in its royal bearing.
He winced. Jealous of his own castle now.
His mother threw a look over her shoulder at them as they approached, and Julius could easily read her relief and impatience. They were brushing the edges of unacceptable tardiness. He should have hurried Olivia along more effectively instead of getting caught up in…Whatever that had been outside the stables.
The two of them stepped up to stand on his father’s other side, and the murmurs of the crowd died down.
“Welcome!” the king boomed out in a great voice, losing no time in addressing the crowd. “It is with great pleasure that I announce the success of my son’s search. He has found his bride!”
The crowd cheered—playing their role with muted effort, a contrast to the genuine enthusiasm of the people who had lined the street. The ordinary citizens were delighted he had chosen one of them, but the court were more cautious, still waiting to see if they had cause for offense.
Julius gazed down at Olivia, letting every bit of his admiration show on his face. It was easier than he had expected to manage a proud smile. And when she glanced shyly up at him before blushing and looking away, the murmur that ran through the crowd was warmer. Apparently his parents had read the mood of their people correctly. At least for the moment Julius and Olivia would have to sell their charade.
Part of him feared it would prove too difficult. But a smaller, more terrifying, part feared it might be far too easy.
Chapter12
Julius
Thankfully, there were no official functions organized for immediately after the announcement. The crowd hung around in gossiping clumps for a short time before dispersing completely. They were likely all still tired after the Midsummer Ball the night before.
But Julius and Olivia couldn’t escape his parents. His father led the four of them into a small receiving room, reserved for more intimate gatherings, where his mother sank into a chair and began vigorously fanning herself.
“It’s far too hot for so early in the morning,” she complained, her eyes narrowing as they settled on Julius. “Or maybe that was just the stress of worrying that you might fail to arrive.”
“I’m sorry, Your Majesties.” Olivia sank into a deep curtsy. “That was my fault. It was another misunderstanding. I was unaware of the traditions for the morning after the ball and wasn’t expecting such an early visit from His Highness, let alone the need to be ready for an official function.”
His mother straightened and ran an assessing eye from Olivia’s hair to her feet. “You did a good job in that case,” she said with more knowledgeable admiration than Julius had been able to give.
Olivia smiled slightly. “My aunt helped me.”
The door opened without a knock, and an unassuming man in palace livery entered. Julius recognized him at once as his father’s most trusted aide.
The king stepped aside to conduct a quiet conversation with the man while his mother began a conversation with Olivia about the finer details of her dress. They moved quickly to a discussion of the dresses the queen intended to order for Olivia now that she was to reside at the palace and take part in court events. Despite Olivia’s earlier insistence that she wasn’t after a new wardrobe, she didn’t seem to have any objection to the queen’s plans.
When the aide disappeared, Julius’s father rejoined them, a thoughtful look on his face. He directed his first words to his son.
“Are the reports exaggerated or was the reaction of the crowd on the street as enthusiastic as claimed?”
“I’ve never seen them like that,” Julius said honestly. He glanced at Olivia and away again before adding, “They love her.”
“They don’t know me,” Olivia said firmly, apparently determined to be part of the conversation despite her lack of status.
“They love having one of their own chosen as the future queen,” his father said in a considering tone. “Perhaps there are more silver linings to this situation than we first envisaged.”
His mother looked Olivia over with a new eye. “Perhaps this betrothal will be an opportunity for the people to see themselves represented at court. Olivia can not only represent the interests of the people but better help us understand their perspectives. I have been wondering for some time if we have raised Julius at too great a distance from his own city.”
Julius shot her a surprised look. He hadn’t known she was worried about that.
Could she be right? Was he disconnected from the common people? The sense of failure from his first meeting with Olivia washed over him again. Apparently he was even worse at his role than he had suspected.
“I don’t think I can be much assistance there,” Olivia said, cutting across both his thoughts and the conversation.
All three turned toward her, creases on both his parents’ brows. “Unless you want to know what the people of the small town of Henton think,” she added, “or perhaps my relatives in Manor Row. I’m not a native of the capital, and I’ve hardly even had a chance to explore it. I probably know less about the city and its inhabitants than Julius.”
“I see,” the queen said slowly, exchanging a look with her husband.
