Page 19 (1/1)

"Stay close, Your Majesty Not everyone is happy about what’s happening," Zafir insisted as he leaned down to help hwent still Silent

Every person there atching h me

And then I reached up and pulled back asp was nearby, followed immediately by another and another, and still another, until it was one unified sound

I waited, lifting ht ahead, too afraid to focus on anyone or anything Too afraid to breathe

Only when the initial shock had worn off, when the people in attendance had grown accustomed to my appearance, and conversations had started--h the crowd--did I allow myself to look around I nodded at one of the soldiers, a woman who stood beside us Her uniform was similar to Brook’s, and she held a military rifle across her chest There were other soldiers positioned at si the pathway ahead of us that led up to the steps of the Acade There was nothing discreet about their presence

"Charlie!" A girl’s voice caolden-blond girl with flushed cheeks waving frantically "Over here!"

"Look, it’s Sydney!" I called over erly as she had, signaling for her to join us Then I turned to the soldiers ere keeping the crowd at bay "Let her through"

Zafir scowled as he stepped closer to h the onlookers "You shouldn’t let people address you like that, it’sit’s i to a stop in front of us Her mouth opened in surprise "I--I’m sorry," she stammered "I meant Your Majesty, of course"

She looked like she was about to drop into some sort of ridiculous curtsy or bow, so I reached for her, wrapping rateful to see at least one friendly face a at her

The last time I’d seen Sydney, she ith Brooklynn and the rest of Xander’s rebel troops, just after they’d seized the palace Froet the ied her again "He’s just nervous around crowds You can call me whatever you want" I wrinkled my nose "Except ‘Your Majesty’"

"Really?" Sydney questioned uncertainly "I think heher pink lips as her eyes traveled the length of hiht "I think it is disrespectful if I call you Charlie"

"So then call her Queen Charlaina or ‘ equally stuffy," Brook offered irritably, adjusting her rifle and doing her best to look inti And then she turned tothis, we probably should get up there You have a school to inaugurate"

I let Brook leadme by the hand just like in the old days ere si School 33 It probably wasn’t protocol for a queen to be led by one of her soldiers--even if that soldier was a co my hand, and I needed that at theit and hauling her along with us, not wanting to leave her behind Whether Brook liked it or not, the three of us had just becoravity of what I was about to do, of the changes I was asking of my people, stoleof the phrase "my people" as I looked down upon theathered to watch me, to supportthe crowd, that much I knew I’d heard their calls of nation--as I’d made my way past theood about what I was doing I now ruled a country where such opposition was permitted Openly and freely

Unlike Sabara, I would never send so an opinion,it

This was a nen in Ludania--a New Equality for all It couldn’t be helped that not all agreed

A podium awaited ive ht be

Sydney stepped to the side, and Zafir and Brook fell back

I took my place as, below me, a military transport ca," I declared, drawing all eyes to an to speak "Today, I stand before you, not as your queen or as a vendor’s daughter, but as a citizen of Ludania"

I cleared rateful no one kneBut these tireat opportunity, a chance for us to shoe’re nity and fortitude A chance for us to grow"

My gaze roamed over the expectant faces that stared back at me, and my confidence swelled "This is one of those opportunities This is our moment to show the world that we don’t have to be burdened by the lier works That we can work together as citizens of one countryas one peoplewith one language" I gripped the sides of the wooden stand "I’e, to turn your back on the traditions you’ve grown up with What I’uage not as a divider, but rather to unite us To make us whole