Page 38 of The Broken Mirror
“Oh, that sounds delightful. I’ll have that, too,” he says. John bows and leaves the room. “When in Rome,” the prime minister says, winking at Hortense.
She gives a sarcastic smile, grimacing inside.
“So this is quite the outfit you have on, isn’t it?” he says. “What’s the occasion? Going off to war?”
“Do you think princesses just lounge around in gowns all day, Prime Minister?” Hortense says, smiling her best sweet-princess smile.
“Of course I’d never think such a thing of you, Princess Hortense. Tell me, is this your typical daywear, then?”
“I was out hunting, actually. I quite like to shoot a bow and arrows. Been doing it since I was a young girl at Rosewood Manor,” she responds.
“Are you any good?” he asks condescendingly.
She sighs lightly. “Let’s just say if an apple were sitting on your head right now, I’d have no trouble shooting it off. Now, let’s get down to business, Prime Minister. Why have you come to pay me a visit?”
“Getting into it before our tea has even arrived? Are you in a rush, Hortense?”
“I just don’t want to hold you up from what I’m sure is a very busy schedule. Lots of funding to cut and all that! Lots of poor families to turn out onto the street, isn’t that right? Or perhaps today’s task is more focused on planning the monthly parliamentary party.” Hortense knows Charlie would chastise her if he were here. He thinks it’s important to maintain adiplomatic relationship with the prime minister, even if they disagree.We’ll have more influence that way,he’s always saying to Hortense. And perhaps he’s correct. But Charlie isn’t here right now. He’s upstairs being a frog.
John reappears with a tea tray. Hori takes her cup, hoping it might calm her. She hasn’t even heard what the prime minister has to say yet, and already her blood is boiling. Is being a princess always this unnerving?
“I see we’re not interested in playing nice,” the prime minister responds, still smiling. “That’s fine by me. I’ll get into it, then.” He picks up his teacup and takes a sip. “Divine! I’ll have to get some of this for my next party, as you say.” The prime minister gives a short, stilted laugh.
Hortense smiles mockingly.
“The reason I’ve come to see you,” he says, “is because no one has heard from Prince Charlie in a while. I don’t know if he’s out gallivanting around Never After or what, but at some point he has to take on his responsibilities as a prince, and take them seriously.”
“He’s not out gallivanting,” Hortense says.
“Oh really? I thought he might be off betting on centaur races or something of that nature. That’s good to hear. So where is he?”
Hortense pauses, unsure what to say. “He’s away on business.”
“Not royal business, I presume, or I’d likely know about it. But no matter—he’s away all right. The fact still stands thatif Prince Charlie is not crowned king of Eastphalia before the summer solstice, then the kingdom will be forfeit to Queen Olga and Cinderella.”
Hortense nearly drops her tea. “Excuse me? Why would that be? How could that be? That doesn’t make any sense.”
“There are a few things about royal business that I’m sure you don’t quite understand, Princess Hortense, and I suppose this is one of them. You marriedintoroyalty, after all. It’s expected that you won’t understand all the goings-on.”
If Hortense were a dragon, fire would be coming out her nostrils and smoke out her ears right about now. “I may not have been born into royalty, but I understand basic logic. Can you tell me, why forfeit the kingdom to two people with absolutely no claim to the throne and nothing to do with Eastphalia?”
“Look, Hortense, I’m not in charge here. I don’t make the royal rules, nor do I care to act against ancient clauses and treaties created by the fairies. If it were up to me, there would be no royal families at all. No offense. I just think the monarchy is a bit outdated. However, I have no way of stopping it, and thus I must work with the system at hand.”
“Speaking of outdated, isn’t it rumored that you rigged your last election?”
“Let’s not be cruel, shall we? I understand you’re upset, but if you can get your prince back to Eastphalia before the summer solstice, then you have nothing to worry about, all right? I don’t see why you’re getting so worked up.” Theprime minister stands to leave. “That’s all I came to tell you, Hortense. You and I may not see eye to eye on everything, but I think you can understand what you must do. Best of luck finding Charlie, and I’ll see you at the summer solstice.”
He begins to walk out, but then turns back around. “Dohwa-cha, was it? I simply must get some of that.” He has the temerity to whistle as he makes his way out of the office, through the castle, and out the front doors.
Hortense stands in the receiving room, staring after him, shocked. There is something very odd about the way he acted. He couldn’t be… could he?
Could the prime minister of Eastphalia be siding with the ogres?
CHAPTERNINETEENDIVIDE ANDCONQUER
Filomena has to give it up to the giants: They sure do know how to keep their cottage cozy. After the cold glamour and grandeur of the Northphalian palace, being at the giants’ homey cabin helps her feel a sense of calm. It’s like she’s on a grand tour of the cutest places to stay in the Never After kingdoms! Except, of course, her tour involves fighting for her life at every turn.
Filomena sits down at the long wooden table. She takes a sip of hot cocoa. “Thanks for cooking, Alistair,” she says. Alistair has whipped up breakfast for everyone.
