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"The King is asking for you, Your Highness," The Prireen eyes offer ot you, they say I’y dream A day I kneould come but didn’t really believe ever would

The inner rootubes stick out fro’s Physician, is here; he bows toback to a respectful distance

If a praying mantis and a hurove He’s a tall, eive the impression of two spiders attached to the ends of his arms He’s the Home Secretary--an official witness to assure the country and Crown that there is no trickery or foul play at the births and deaths of any royal in the line of succession He was in the room when I was born, and he was at Miriam’s birth too He was present at the births and deaths of the siblings before me, and he stands silent in the corner now, like one of those portraits whose eerie eyes move when you do

I put my hand on top of Father’s

"It’s Lenora, Father I’ sound coed and chapped, but they smile at me

"Lenora" His voice is reedy, so thin I lean forward to hear hiirl"

You do?

It’s the first thought that springs into h I don’t say the words out loud, he reads theile smile falters

"You didn’t know I should have done better by you There was so much to teach youbut I should have done better"

I take his hand in both of ently and close Because I see it now--I understand ThisI wanted--tickles and cuddles, laughter and pushes on the swing--but he spent his life givinghe failed me

"No, Father No" My throat constricts "You did wonderfully by nity and honor, and I’ll make you so proud ofis ragged, he tells me, "I have always been proud of you Do not serveLenora Reign With an iron gripand a velvet touch Trustonlyyourself And reign"

I nod, and though my eyes are full, I don’t let any tears fall I hold them back, for him To prove that even now, especially nowI can be strong

His eyes close, and formachine and Father’s frail breaths

Alexander Bumblewood steps up beside me "Would you like to return to the antecha tea"

Of course they are Because tea fixes everything

"No I’ll stay with his are menthey die like any other et to h, leathery cheek For the very first time, and the last Then I sit back down, hold his hand, and in s I can’t say in front of the doctor and Prirove

I tell hih the years I tell him about my hopes and dreams for Wessco--ideas I didn’t share before, because I wasn’t sure if he’d approve I tell him about me--a side he’s never seen that can be silly and wild I tell him how desperately hard it is sometimes to bethat way, because I know I’rateful I auidance

I saygoodbye

And still, none of it feels real It doesn’t see, or when the doctor checks for breathing and a pulse, and finds neither Not when the time is announced or the sheet is drawn up or when the Home Secretary tells the Priinald William Constantine II has passed from this life