Page 116 of Royal Icing
“A country has nothing more valuable than its people. I want to assure you I see you for who you are—hardworking, dedicated, family-oriented, fun-loving. I have such pride in thiscommunity. I want to give you what you deserve. We don’t need another ski resort.”
A chorus of cheers rang out, and his nerves dissipated slightly.
“We need a place for our people to gather. A new library for our children to learn about new worlds and new ideas. A community garden where we can grow and tend crops, or flowers, or whatever you want—well, short of anything illegal.”
A chuckle rippled through the crowd. A young woman at the edge of the crowd caught his eye. Her hair was curly and the same shade as Ruby’s. She pulled her giant sunglasses down and winked at him. Itwasher. His heart lifted.
“And let’s not forget a new community kitchen where we can feed our hungry. The castle’s going to tell you that a ski resort would create jobs. And sure, maybe there would be a few. But a resort would be the downfall of this beautiful village. We can’t allow a corporation to gentrify our people out of their homes.”
He took a deep breath as another cheer arose. Hopefully no one could tell that his hand was shaking.
“This is one of the biggest challenges our village has ever faced. And I’m going to fight for it. I’m going to fight for you. Now let’s go.”
The loudest cheer yet ripped through the crowd, and the marching band started playing behind him. People lifted their signs, and he felt a tiny glimmer of hope. Maybe it would be enough. Maybe it would force his parents’ hands.
The castle loomed on the hillside. Ruby had assured him that his parents were home and would be there to witness the protest. They’d surely stay walled up in the castle, hiding behind the gates. But now that the eyes of the world were on them, his parents would be forced to make a statement, take a stance. Hopefully it would be enough to make them crumble.
Emma reached over to squeeze his hand, and his fortitude doubled. He led the charge toward the castle.
They marched through the cold air, chanting and waving their signs. Lisa waved a flag as Emma pushed her wheelchair. She looked exhilarated as they trundled up the road.
A half dozen members of the press were there to cover the event. They snapped pictures and asked for statements as they walked. Only one asked him about his relationship with Emma.
Finally, they reached the castle gates. A couple of people from the community—one of the librarians, Gus from the soup kitchen, and a local teacher all spoke about the potential benefits of the project. Even Henri, their local member of parliament, showed up.
“Growth, not greed,” echoed in the courtyard. A couple members of the castle guard showed up, nervously standing in front of the gates in riot gear. He nodded at them, and they bowed.
A curtain twitched in one of the windows upstairs. Someone was watching. But as predicted, no one came out to address the crowd.
Leo spoke one final time before the crowd began to disperse.
“Thank you, Your Highness,” one of the reference clerks from the library said, cheeks flushed, before darting away.
“It’s just Leo,” he called after her with a smile.
“Leo, tell me more about this community garden,” Lisa said as people started the walk back to the village. “I could prepare some suggestions and planting schedules as soon as I figure out what growing zone we’re in and what native plants are in the area.”
“Let me take you to the library tomorrow,” he said.
Where was Emma?
Lisa looked at her phone. “Oh, Emma says she’ll meet us back in town before the extravaganza.”
“She didn’t say why?”
Lisa shook her head.
“Okay.” A knot formed in his stomach, but he dove back into the fray with Lisa and the dogs in tow.
CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR
EMMA
The doorcreaked shut as Emma darted into the castle hallway. Castle security had been so concerned about the mass of people at the gate that they had completely neglected security at other access points. She had lifted Leo’s key card and snuck in through the family entrance Ruby had shown her when she was drunk. It was an incredibly stupid move—in fact, she wouldn’t be surprised if the queen had her arrested the second she confronted her. She had destroyed a masterpiece in the castle only a week ago, after all. But if there was even a small chance that she could make Leo’s mother see reason, it would be worth the risk.
Emma pulled a clipboard out of her bag and pretended to consult it as she walked down the hallway. A couple of the servants looked confused as she passed them, but no one stopped her.
Where would the queen be? She decided to start in the drawing room, which had windows that faced the courtyard. After taking a turn down an unfamiliar hallway and briefly getting lost, she pressed her ear to the double doors of the drawing room.
