Page 34 of Slippers and Thorns
Why was this one of the few things considered acceptable for privileged women? Were the privileged women themselves considered nothing more than decorative, hence the expectation that they produce nothing that was not similarly insubstantial?
She wasn’t allowed to cook or clean. She was banned from the laundry room and the seamstress’s workshop. What else was there?
The kinghadgiven her permission to learn archery. Even after it backfired, he had never formally removed his consent; Ella simply didn’t feel that it would be wise to continue until she could convince Michael to make time to teach her, a feat which was nearly impossible at this juncture.
Her needle became less vicious as her thoughts wandered. Edna believed Ella could find something the king would accept as worthy of her. Now, what could she come up with?
“I would like to create a program to distribute food to the needy in our community,” Ella announced at breakfast several days later.
King Phillip’s fork paused halfway to his mouth. Justin looked up with the expectation of someone who loves a good scene. Anne kept her eyes on her plate, withdrawn as usual. Michael raised a single eyebrow but otherwise acted as if no one had spoken.
“A social program?” Queen Elaine asked carefully. “What brought this about?”
Ella clenched her skirts under the table to keep her hands from visibly shaking. Their reactions were no more than she had expected. “I visited different areas of the city when I was…out the other day. While some of the residents in the poorer areas are in need through their own negligence, others are elderly and unable to work or are in dire straits despite hard work. I do not suggest we provide full rations for all who lack, but I would like to give something to those who struggle through no fault of their own.” She paused. “And even those who are poor because of their choices, I can understand letting them go hungry, but I want to feed their children.”
King Phillip shifted restlessly. He glanced at Michael, as if to see if his heir had any input, but Michael calmly continued eating. Setting his fork back down, he asked, “And how do you propose accomplishing this? I do not intend to beggar my kingdom to discourage productive workers.”
“And I wouldn’t ask you to,” Ella quickly replied. “However, every day the kitchens are forced to throw away large quantities of food that was not eaten and will not keep. The problem is even greater after a banquet. Could we not instead distribute that food to those in need?”
“A valid point,” King Phillip said thoughtfully.
“Also, surely a certain number of extra loaves of bread could be baked without great expense,” Ella continued before she lost her courage. “It might require hiring additional help, but by providing those jobs, we potentially reduce the number of people who cannot afford to feed themselves, thus further helping the situation.”
“Look who’s been hitting the economics books,” Justin teased. When Ella looked over at him, he winked at her. “Or have you just been hanging around outside the door when Hudson is lecturing me?”
Tapping the table, King Phillip asked, “How do you propose we handle the distribution?”
“If we identify a reliable individual from each neighborhood, that person could tell us which of their neighbors need and deserve help,” Ella suggested. “We could then divide the food between neighborhoods based on the amount of need.”
“What about outside of Hartford?” Queen Elaine questioned. “Would those citizens be ignored, or do you expect us to haul food all around the kingdom?”
Ella twisted her skirts under the table. “I would suppose your nobles would be responsible for their own people. As for the rural districts around the city, I’m not sure.”
“No one expects you to have all the answers,” Justin cut in, smiling at her. His smile was a little tight, but Ella thought she knew why when he looked sideways at his older brother, who was still acting as if she didn’t exist. “What do you think, Michael?”
Thus directly addressed, Michael finally looked up, casting his eyes around the table before they landed briefly on Ella and then returned to his plate. “It’s a good idea,” he grudgingly admitted. “It will build goodwill among the populace while reducing waste. And being better fed might enable some of the recipients to work harder or their children to take better advantage of their education.” It was basic, but the kingdom of Daraigh provided schooling for those citizens who chose to attend.
His approval should have warmed her heart, but instead, Ella felt annoyed. Was it that hard to accept that she, a simple commoner, could come up with a good idea? Just because Lady Charlotte— She cut off the thought. While this was a bid for purposeful activity, not an attempt to mend her marriage, that type of thinking wouldn’t help when she was finally ready to work on it.
“So, you think we should act on it, then?” King Phillip verified. Michael hesitated, then nodded. “I am inclined to agree. While handouts can set a dangerous precedent, I believe the parameters of your proposal will limit ill effects while providing a real benefit to our people. I will bring it up with my advisors so they can give their feedback. If we decide to proceed, we will flesh out the plan and put it into action.” He smiled at her. “Thank you for your suggestion.”
“If you please,” Ella replied, “I would like to help with the distribution once the program is in effect. If it is approved, of course.”
King Phillip raised an eyebrow. “Why?”
“For…something to do,” Ella quietly said.
“Don’t you have other pursuits?” he asked in confusion. “Your horse, your embroidery—”
“Embroidery has no point!” Ella interrupted, her frustration leaking into her voice. “I feel so useless.”
“No point? I thought the needle was supposed to be sharp,” Justin quipped.
Ella ignored him. “Even if my situation was poor, at least before, there was purpose to what I did. I kept a house clean. I mended worn clothing. I prepared food for people to eat. Now, all I do is create pretty things no one will ever notice. I want to do something that—thatmeanssomething!”
There was silence at the table for a few minutes. Even Michael let his fork drop towards the table instead of continuing to eat.
“You’ll take guards,” King Phillip said abruptly. “And you will stay with the group at all times.”
