Fresh air I did not know I needed overpowered me when I reached the open pathway that would take us away from the Throne room's bleak building. I closed my eyes and moved my head back, letting the sun wash away the darkness of the place, though it would never erase what had happened inside those walls.
The taste of ashes filled my mouth at the thought of that girl, on display for all to see. I opened my eyes.
"Where are you going, Lulu?" asked Jenni, falling behind me as I walked, my goal settled in my feet.
However, a few steps more, I was greeted by a pair of scarlet eyes. Worried and sad. He had heard about what happened or he had seen Francis.
I stopped in front of him but said nothing. Behind, near a shade of a tree, was Wolff too far off for me to see his face. But not far enough to blur in his ears and his tail.
"I couldn't tell you, Lulu." said Cedric, his face stricken as if I had punched him. "I promised Francis I would keep it secret."
I heard the steps of the girls close by, their silence showing they were watching without the intention of interfering.
A sigh escaped my lips, while my fingers rubbed my temples. "Cedric, I would have known either way..." it was more a vent to the wind than anything else. To the injustice of everything.
His blood on the floor was still haunting my mind.
Cedric's voice came like a dispirited whisper. "But he is my friend..."
Yes, he was. And I knew, understood it even, the reason why Francis would not want this to be talked around by his friends. Or anyone. It was not because of how his father looked or how it would affect the empire if it got out. It could be, but at the root, it was more personal.
To Francis was a feeling of shame.
Because this was not the first time he was beaten with the royal sceptre, leaving a trail of blood. And more enraging to me was knowing it would not be the last.
I tried to move past Cedric, but Jenni's voice caused me to stop. "You should not go see prince Francis."
I faced her, feigning ignorance.
Jenni's brows lifted in disbelief, although it was Eloise who spoke. "I believe your sister is right, Lulu. Is best to wait for the dust to settle."
I glanced at Fanny and Amelia. They said nothing, although one was clearly saddened, and the other waited for what I would choose to do.
Maybe they were right, maybe I should give it some time, but I loathed that idea. I took a step back, and my arm was caught by Cedric's long fingers. "Lulu, wait. I want as much as you to march into his office and scream at the winds against this injustice, but I know him. He needs time."
I glanced at his hand and then at his eyes, splashed with the same sorrow as before, the same feeling of ineptitude I shared, and relented. Because I knew he was right.
I needed to wait.
And I did.
One day.
Another.
Another and another.
I tried. But I could no longer wait.
And I devised a plan. One that involved choco balls, a maid, a prince and an aide (and a spider because she heard me talking about the plan out loud in my room).
I made a massive batch of choco balls, some to offer to the workers restoring the south wing of the government building, the rest for tea with a foxy prince. We had gone that day to organize again all the documents we had stored in our houses and prepare the next steps. It was a slow process, mainly because I and the girls had now returned to our etiquette classes and all other arrangements we ladies in society had to be a part of.
Today we had only an afternoon. But an afternoon was all that was needed. I had a note sent to Cedric, and I had myself excused with Fanny. The girls did not say a thing, although I was sure they were aware of my plan. Specially Jenni. I had not been particularly subdued in my restlessness.
And I was glad they silently understood it.
Though Fanny, sweet as always, was in the dark. "Where are we going, my lady?"
I had told Jenni and the girls that I and Fanny would go distribute the choco balls around while they were having tea. And we did, but now we were walking away from the government offices instead of going inside.
The tips of my lips curved, and I sensed her shiver through our linked arms. "We going to goad a Fox prince."
The rows of "My lady" that followed were worth it. They stopped, and I knew Fanny had seen Cedric and Wolff as we approached the proximities of Francis's palace.
Already some steps back, I could see Wolff's cheeks draw a scarlet hue to them. On his side, Cedric smirked a little, but said nothing. It seemed I was not the only one rooting for them.
We walked together on the remaining stretch. Cedric, gentlemanly bred, offered to take the small basket I carried with the choco balls. I was inclined to accept out of sheer politeness until I realized that princess Lola was hanging on its edge. It was best I carried it in case she jumped to have a better view.
Inside the bright palace, the maids no longer hid in shadows. Though they did nothing more than bow and then run off to do some task on a faraway corridor. We followed the steps I took nights ago, finding ourselves in front of prince Francis's office doors clammed shut. It was just like the last time I was there, and yet it wasn't.
It felt distant and out of reach.
Behind, a sigh travelled through my skin. "I think it is still too early, Lulu."
My fingers wrapped tightly around the basket's handle, rocking it.
"Maybe we should leave, my lady." whispered Fanny.
My eyes landed on the choco balls. They may be right. Francis, when ready, would come to see us—joking and brandishing that foxy grin of his. But I just wanted to give some comfort, a tiny reassurance, nothing big. Something sweet and harmless like these choco balls.
"I have an idea." I said, turning to face them.
And while Cedric seemed expectant, the other two were less enthusiastic.
"I don't thi-" started Fanny.
"Is a good time..." tried Wolff.
I put the basket down near the door, letting princess Lola in full view and gestured them to go to a corner close by. Then I knocked and ran to their side, peering from the edge, to see how my plan would fare.
I felt Cedric breathe, casting a drift on my hair as the door opened and Fridh appeared. He took one look at the basket and at princess Lola, then he retreated inside and closed the door.
Princess Lola turned to me, confused, while I grasped the corner of the wall, feeling my nails biting against it. That little...
"I think it is wise to leave my lady..." said Fanny.
I swirled, surprising her and the rest. "We should write a note!"
"What?"
I did not give them more input, too distracted trying to find a piece of paper in my many pockets. After several attempts, I succeeded and retrieved a wrinkled mess that would have to suffice. Missing was a pen and ink, which I secured by scaring an oblivious maid passing by with my dramatic request.
After some squeals, more "My lady"s and some gasps, I completed my note and repeated my plan. Leaving the paper in front of the basket.
Again Fridh appeared. This time, however, he noticed the note, and took it, leaving the door open, only to return with a trash can.
A trash can!!!!
I got up, ready to say a piece of my mind to Fridh. A soft pat tried to get my attention. It was, however, not enough to turn my eyes away from Fridh and that trash can. "Don't worry Fanny, I will just have some words with Lord Fridh about how one should treat food."
"Really?" said a voice that was definitely not Fanny's. "Lord Fridh is just doing his work, though. I cannot accept random sweets."
Surprised, I pivoted and saw Francis, his cheek still bruised yet smiling as usual, Jenni at his arm, shaking her head.
It seems I was right. It was actually a good time to bother a fox. Just not the right time to bring choco balls.
Sooo what did you think? It is short and sweet- I hope.
Anyway, nothing better to capture a fox with choco balls. I wanted this chapter to end with a lighter tone. Bring some of lulu's spunk and her antics (that kind of work and does not work at the same time XD)
Next, we will see the consequences of the acts in the Throne room. How this affects the children beneath the smiles and curated images.