Page 67 of Royal Player
Oscar and I get a surprise when we return to the palace late after a long day of work on the island. My parents have summoned us to the audience chamber, a formal room with dual thrones on a dais. It’s used for visiting dignitaries and other nobility, as well as coronations. The request to meet there is a display of power, and I can only hope they’re about to use it for good and not to banish us forever. I’ve spent all of my time working tirelessly with Oscar. We’ve been in the press and all over the internet. Money is pouring in for our cause. Privately, he’s taken a separate bedroom, but he visits me in the middle of the night. Servants could’ve talked, which means my parents may be furious once again with me and my impulsive, headstrong, out-of-line ways. It may just be the last straw. I break out in a cold sweat, too nervous to even speak on our walk there. Banishment would be like a death to me. Oscar is quiet too.
I step into the long, vaulted audience chamber, a room meant to impress with its size and grandeur, along with the abundance of gold trim on everything—gilded framed oil paintings, gold and crystal chandeliers, and gilded mirrors. My parents are seated on their thrones. They’re dressed in a suit and dress respectively. No crown, scepter, or velvet jeweled cape around their shoulders. I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or not. Their faces are unreadable, but it feels like a heavy formal occasion, where something momentous and life altering is about to occur.
We approach and bow our heads, greeting them formally.
My father speaks first. “We’ve been made aware of your joint efforts on behalf of Beaumont.”
My mother inclines her head.
Promising start.I grab Oscar’s hand and squeeze it tight.
My father stares at our joined hands and lets out a harsh breath. “In light of the good you’ve done for our kingdom, I’ve called you both here to pass on leadership to you.”
I suck in air. My greatest wish come true! To claim my birthright with my love ruling by my side. Warmth bubbles up through me, a light floating feeling of utter happiness. I exchange a smile with Oscar before turning back to my parents.
“We would be happy to accept leadership,” I say.
Oscar straightens, his shoulders pulling back with regal pride.
“You have proven yourself, Polly,” my mother says, her voice surprisingly warm. I do believe I made my mother proud.
“Oscar has proven himself as well,” my father says brusquely. “The people are in favor. So it is done.”
I throw myself in Oscar’s arms, hugging him, and laughing for no reason at all. It’s just such a relief! My strategy worked. And if it hadn’t, Oscar says he would’ve stayed here with me anyway. I offered to return to Villroy with him once order was restored here, so we could live together as husband and wife, but he believes, as I have always known, that Beaumont is where I belong.
Someone clears their throat loudly.
I pull away and face my parents. “Yes?”
“We’ll have a formal coronation ceremony after your marriage,” my mother says. “The day you marry, you will become king and queen of Beaumont.”
“I believe it would be best to ring in the New Year with new leadership,” my father says. “The people will need to feel they’re getting a fresh start as the hard work of rebuilding begins.”
That’s four months away, much faster than I’d anticipated. I exchange a look with Oscar. He’s on board.
“Yes!” I rush forward to hug them. “Thank you,Maman!”
She gives me a squeeze. “These were extraordinary circumstances with the storm. Perhaps an extraordinary princess is what was required.”
My eyes tear, my throat tight. “Thank you. I will make you proud.”
She strokes my hair. “I’ve always been proud of you, my impossible daughter.”
A tear escapes, and I brush it away. “Thank you.”
I turn to see Oscar shaking my father’s hand, speaking to him in a low respectful tone. Oscar steps around me to speak to my mother, and I take my father’s trembling hand.
He speaks in a low tone. “I assume you’re pleased with the outcome of your plan, daughter.” The words are softened by the twinkle in his eye. He knows I made a strategic plan to secure Oscar’s place, and he doesn’t mind. Maybe he even admires it, since I made sure my joint efforts with Oscar benefitted the kingdom no matter the outcome to me personally. Kingdom above self is what he’s always valued.
“It takes a great leader to make the hard choices, as you’ve done, Papa. I’m glad you chose us to be the next leaders.”
He takes us both in. “You’re an asset to the kingdom that we can’t afford to lose.”
I kiss his cheek. “I love you too.”
His eyes water, and he clears his throat. “Yes, well. Thank you.”
I take my leave, grab Oscar’s hand, and practically fly out of the room.
