I nodded and rubbed my open palms over my thighs.
"Thank you. I'll do my best."
"I'm sure you will, son, but remember the future of the monarchy rests with you." He cuffed his thick fingers around my shoulder and pat twice before heading back into the theatre.
I closed my eyes and dropped my head to my chest, my breath struggling against the tightness in my lungs. I concentrated harder. Oxygen flowed in through my nose slowly and out my mouth. In. Out. Over and over until my pulse finally eased. Showtime.
I jerked my head toward the stage and the guards waiting for my entrance assembled into their predetermined formation to escort me. Disgruntled and unamused stares followed me to the podium from every seat in the theatre. Additional rows of chairs flanked the sides and aisles for the excess attendees, but even then people stood along the walls, arms crossed. A sudden hush fell over the room as I cleared my throat and forced my back straighter. The guards positioned next to nearly every row and at every exit glared at the patrons, but at least they provided for a more solemn and captive audience as my last speech attempt.
"Good afternoon my fellow Aborians.” The rehearsed words rolled easily off my tongue. One small victory. I gripped the podium tighter and dared to look out over the audience. "Thank you all for taking the time to assemble here today. I know the last time we spoke it was not under the best terms, but I have come here today to ask for your forgiveness on the past and your cooperation for enhancing the future."
A loud snicker echoed in the hall. The nearest guard stomped at attention and snuffed it out, leaving an awkward silence.
"As you have all seen or heard, the king is not well and has taken on the unfortunate form of a beast. I understand this is upsetting news as my father, King Ezra, meant a lot to this kingdom and was… I mean, is, loved by many of you. The details of his transformation were kept quiet as a concern for public safety and to provide some privacy for His Majesty during this difficult time. Unfortunately, that decision has led to tragedy and for that, all of us in the royal family are deeply sorry."
A few people wrestled in their seats, and I tensed, expecting some sort of assault but they remained sitting. Another deep breath. So far, so good.
"Today I've come to assure you that we will do everything possible to bring my father home, and rebuild the things we have broken. The—“
A hand jut into the air about four rows away from the stage. The practiced speech reeling in my head halted, distracted by the five fingers gesturing desperately for attention.
"You have a question?” I pointed at the older gentleman waving his hand in the audience, the silver flecks of his hair picking up under the theatre lights.
"Yes, Your Majesty. My question is simple; after you have already lied to us and put us in danger, why should we believe you now?"
Bile rose in the back of my throat, just as I'd anticipated, yet it still came as a shock as the burn raged against my vocal cords.
A noblewoman in a fancy green dress stood in the front left row. “And what about our children? Are they not still in danger with a monster on the loose? What about them?”
Third row from the back, right side. “Who will fix the marketplace? I’m losing money every day I can’t sell my produce.”
“How do we know there are no other monsters that you’re hiding?” Fifth-row centre.
By the back door. “What good is the monarchy anyway? Maybe it's time for something new."
The questions kept coming, each one smacking me in the face and forcing me back in defeat. I wasn't finished yet. Why hadn't they let me finish? My knuckles flashed white as I held onto the podium, using it as a crutch to keep from crumbling to the floor.
Towards the back of the room, a small hand flew in the air as the body attached tried to make its way forward. Two guards immediately surrounded the asker with their hands poised on the hilts of their swords.
"I also have a question for the prince." The voice cut through the rest of the noise, familiar and calming, like a stillness running through my blood. Veda, her hair pulled back and her unmistakable gray on gray uniform.
“Yes, ma'am." I waved my hand and made a shushing noise, some of the chaos ending with the gesture. “Please let the lady speak."
The soldiers eased back, still in attack mode if necessary. Veda straightened her stance.
"I wanted to know how deeply difficult is it for you to deal with your family's pain and still try to address the kingdom with decorum and a smile? How traumatic has this whole ordeal been, and yet you’ve still managed to come here trying to help all of those who might be affected, without having the chance to grieve your own misfortune?"
The crowd silenced, all of my contenders dangling from her every word. Strength reignited in my shaky legs. Her confidence providing bricks of courage, each one stacking on each other to build my platform.
"Thank you, miss. It has been exceptionally hard, traumatic even, but I understand that being royalty comes with certain sacrifices, even if my own happiness and well-being are some of them."
"Thank you, Your Majesty. I've often wondered how many times the people in this room have been helped by your family without any concern for what it may cost you. King Ezra was a strong leader and there is hope for him to leave a good legacy behind."
The rest of the horde lay silent, but it didn’t matter. Even through the flood of people, all I could see was her and her kind face cheering me
