“WHAT EVIDENCE do you have supporting this claim?” Father asked three days later, May fourteenth. Alexandra and I had been accepted into council. “This,” Alexandra handed him the film reel. “We tape all of our council meetings,” she explained. “Hm.” Father stood to take the film out of her hands. “General Lambert, set this up,” he ordered. “Yes, my liege.” “Now, we wait,” Alexandra huffed in impatience. I sucked in a breath and nodded. I’m so close! I thought. They just need to accept our data. Several silent moments passed, leaving me impatiently waiting for the general to come back into the room. I tapped my foot on the hard tile. Where is he? How long are their meetings? I was suddenly grateful Alexandra had skipped so much of the film. I had been given odd looks as it was the previous night, so if I had come back any later, I would have been in trouble. “I say!” Count Wentworth said, entering the room again. “I couldn’t understand a word.” “I beg to contradict,” Colonel Lee vouched. “It was quite defined for this category of not yet stable technology, but not unforeseen given Simrieg’s technological advancements in the past few years.” I blinked. Does he always talk like this? “Lambert, please translate,” Father requested, looking dumbfounded himself. “It was easy to understand but unsurprising.” Lee nodded. “Simply put… yes! You’re quite right.” “Didn’t expect that from that garbled nonsense,” Alexandra mumbled. “Nor did I,” I whispered under my breath. “Well?” Father asked. “I have found the evidence fully trustworthy, if the others agree,” General Lambert said. “Quite. The tape doesn’t appear to be manipulated. It’s fascinating how it functions, actually,” Colonel Lee turned to Alexandra. “I—” “That’s enough Colonel Lee. Are we in agreement?” “I say! I should think not! We’ve worked too hard for an alliance to break it now.” “Count Wentworth, it is not in your power alone to decide. If you do not show some restraint, you won’t be allowed into our meetings any longer.” For once, I agreed with my father. Wentworth fell silent. “All in favor of believing this evidence and disintegrating the treaty?” The council members looked around, nodding; a grumpy-looking Count Wentworth was included. “Then we will retract our treaty with the Simriegans and make a new treaty with the Richizzans.” “Wait, the Richizzans?” “Yes, Vigilius.” “Why?” “We need an ally.” “If we pick someone from our own country, they’ll respect us more for choosing a peasant.” “It doesn’t matter how much respect we have,” Father said. “If we go into war again, we won’t survive.” “But if we have more respect, the people will listen to us when we need an army!” I protested. “I quite agree,” someone spoke up. The rest of the council murmured their agreement as well. I felt dazed. They’re finally listening to my ideas… “I daresay that doesn’t account for having limited resources!” Count Wentworth started again. “We are a small country.” “What if… you make a treaty without a marriage involved?” Alexandra suggested. Colonel Lee bent down to work some things out on the parchment he had brought in. “It may conduct well, sire. No princess of a relevant age in good standing in her kingdom’s crown would be feasible.” “I quite agree!” someone said. “If we have both, we’ll have a superior army.” Father gave it a thought. “It would be unheard of! No one would agree to a treaty just like that.” He snapped his fingers.
----------------------------------------------------------------------- “Think of the position we’d be in if we didn’t take that chance,” I persuaded. “That is true…” he consented. “Council dismissed,” he said once again. Murmurs rose from the table as the council hurried out, leaving me and Alexandra the last to leave. I shut my eyes against the chatter, starting to walk out. Hana, don’t worry. I’ll find a way. I don’t know where you are, but I’ll find out. I— “I hope he agrees to it,” Alexandra said, breaking my chain of thought. You and me both. ~•~ “Your highness?” my bodyguard asked as I came to my room. “Yes, what is it?” “A servant girl gave this to me to give to you. You’ve been too busy for me to give it to you.” My heart raced. Hana. “Thank you,” He looked startled. “Begging your pardon, but… what?” “Hm?” “What did you just say?” "Thank you.” He blinked. “You’re welcome?” I nodded and entered my room, not wanting to continue this awkward conversation. The clean handkerchief covering the circular present was pure white, rimmed in more white lace. I pulled it off gently. The golden gleam underneath the handkerchief almost made me drop it. Her pocket watch… I thought in amazement, fingering the intricate pattern on the cover. Why is Hana giving me her most prized possession? I remembered handing her my ring. In case something happened. “But what would happen?” I said aloud. “The only thing that would happen is if Father doesn’t agree!” I stood, the thought silencing me. What would happen if Father doesn’t agree? I wondered. My heart beat faster. I wouldn’t be able to cope with the thought I couldn’t be with Hana. The thought dawned on me. I could run away again and not come back. When they come for me, I’d keep running. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- EEEEeeeeeeeeeeeeee I was stuck on this for so long-- SORRY!!!! The 52nd chapter is particularly hard, so don't be expecting it any time soooooooooooooon. -OREO All the grammatical errors and STOOF is because I don't have GRAMMARLY on because I've got over 260 pages now *claps*
