1416940146(FY) by Cameron Dokey Read Free Book Online

to pay as little attention to them as possible and let them get on with their duties. Better to stay within the palace walls.
    Papa disagrees. He's the first king in nobody knows how long to do so. He goes out among the people, which is what he calls them. Either that or my subjects. Regardless of which it is, he never calls them common. He knows them by name, at least the ones in the village nearest to the palace. He takes time to listen to their sorrows and their joys. In short, he treats them like what they are: necessary and important, even if they aren't high-born.

    33

    And the inevitable result of this is that, among them, he is greatly loved.
    When Oswald was younger, my father often offered to take him with him when he left the palace. Always an opportunity, never a command. One which Oswald always declined. When it became clear that he would always do so, that his allegiance was to the nobles, my father stopped asking. And that is the way that matters stood during that dinner when Oswald was eighteen and I was ten years old.

    "Aurore?" my father prompted softly.
    "It's hard to explain," I said. "I think because it's so simple, Papa. I just know I want to go outside. It seems the right and proper thing to do."
    "Yes," my father said patiently. "But why?"
    "Because it does!" I exclaimed, feeling my face begin to color.
    This was becoming more dreadful by the moment. How did you explain a thing it had not occurred to you to question? A thing you just knew, clear through to your soul?
    "The palace is wonderful and I love it," I said."But it isn't everything. I know that there is more. The outside world calls to me, Papa. I have to go. I think it's because ..."
    I paused and took a deep breath. I'd said this much. Better just to get the rest of it over with quickly so Oswald could laugh and Papa could say no.
    "Going outside is what I was born for. I can't explain it any better than that. I'm sorry, Papa."
    During my ragged speech, my father had grown very still.
    Indeed, it seemed to me that for the space of time it took me to explain, he did not breathe at all, but sat with his head bent and his eyes closed. When I had finished, he exhaled one long, slow breath, sat up straight, and opened his eyes.
    "I believe that explanation will do just fine, Aurore. Very well, since going outside is what you wish, you may accompany me when I ride out tomorrow."
    With that, he signaled for the majordomo to serve the carrot soup that was the first course of our meal, Maman have been plainly rendered incapable of doing so.
    I could hardly believe my ears. "You mean it?" I cried.

    34

    "Are you questioning me?" asked Papa. A thing that was unheard of. For a moment I feared I had offended him, for his tone was serious. Then I caught the twinkle at the back of his eyes.
    "Absolutely not," I said. "I don't know what came over me."
    "Bien," he replied."That is much better. Now, eat your soup, Aurore. Carrots are good for you, and you will need all your strength in the world outside the walls."
    For several moments, we all ate dutifully. No sound in the dining room other than the scrape of spoons against the bottoms and sides of bowls. But, little by little, I felt the air grow thick and heavy, as if, above our heads, it was filling up with storm clouds.
    "There is one thing I would have you promise," Papa said, as the soup bowls were removed and a roast chicken was placed in front of him to carve. "Remember that to go into la Foret is forbidden. You must promise me never to go there, Aurore."
    "Of course I promise," I said promptly. A thing that was easy, for, in truth, I'd forgotten all about la Foret until that moment. I'd have remembered it sooner or later, of course. Who wouldn't remember an enchanted forest? A thing Papa had obviously realized, for he knew me very well.
    "I cannot help but wonder, Philippe," Maman said quietly, as if my fathers mention of the Forest had given her the opening for which she'd been hoping, "whether