was posted by the platform and could hear it the whole time. Even after she passed out, Woodwork was saying it.”
Two maids hung on his every word, one tilting her head sadly. “How could the prince do that to them? They were in love.”
“Prince Maxon is a good man. He was just obeying the law,” the other maid shot back. “But … the whole time?”
Fry nodded.
The second maid shook her head. “No wonder Lady America ran for them.”
I stepped around the large table, moving to the other side of the room.
“She kneed me pretty hard,” Recen shared, wincing a little at the memory. “I couldn’t stop her from jumping; I could barely breathe.”
I smiled to myself, though I felt for the guy.
“That Lady America is pretty damn brave. The king could have put her on the block for something like that.” A younger butler, wide-eyed and enthusiastic, seemed to be taking the whole thing in as entertainment.
I moved again, fearing I’d say or do something stupid if I heard any more. I passed Avery, but he only nodded. The set of his mouth and eyebrows was all I needed to see to know he wasn’t interested in company right now.
“It could have been so much worse,” a maid whispered.
Her companion nodded. “At least they’re alive.”
I couldn’t escape it. A dozen conversations overlapped, mixing into one commentary in my ears. America’s name surrounded me, the word on nearly everyone’s lips. I found myself swelling with pride one moment only to plunge into anger the next.
If Maxon truly was a decent man, America never would have been in this situation in the first place.
I took another swing with the ax, splitting the wood. The sun felt good on my bare chest and the act of destroying something was helping me get out my rage. Rage for Woodwork and Marlee and May and America. Rage for myself.
I lined up another piece and swung with a growl.
“Chopping wood or trying to scare the birds?” someone called.
I turned to see an older man a few yards away, walking a horse by the bit and wearing a vest that marked him as an outdoor palace worker. His face was wrinkled, but his age didn’t dim his smile. I had a feeling that I’d seen him around before, but I couldn’t think of the place.
“Sorry, did I spook the horse?” I asked.
“Nah,” he said, walking over. “Just sounds like you’re having a rough one.”
“Well,” I answered, lifting the ax again, “today has been rough on everyone.” I swung, dividing the wood again.
“Yep. Seems to be the case.” He rubbed the horse behind her ears. “Did you know him?”
I paused, not really sure I felt like talking. “Not well. We had a lot in common, though. I just can’t believe it happened. Can’t believe he lost everything.”
“Eh. Everything doesn’t seem like anything when you love someone. Especially when you’re young.”
I studied the man. He was obviously a stable keeper, and though I could have been wrong, I was willing to guess he was younger than he looked. Maybe he’d been through something that had weathered him.
“You’ve got a point,” I agreed. Wasn’t I willing to lose everything for Mer?
“He’d risk it again. And so would she.”
“So would I,” I mumbled, staring at the ground.
“What, son?”
“Nothing.” I shouldered the ax and grabbed another hunk of wood, hoping he’d take the hint.
Instead he leaned against the horse. “It’s fine to be upset, but that won’t get you anywhere. You gotta think about what you can learn from this. So far, looks like all you’ve learned is how to beat up on something that can’t beat you back.”
I swung and missed. “Look, I get that you’re trying to help, but I’m working here.”
“That ain’t work. That’s a whole lot of misplaced anger.”
“Well, where am I supposed to place it? On the king’s neck? On Prince Maxon’s? On yours?” I swung again and hit. “Because it’s not okay. They get away with everything.”
“Who does?”
“They do. The Ones. The Twos.”
“You’re a Two.”
I dropped the ax and yelled. “I’m a Six!” I hit my chest. “Underneath whatever uniform they put on me, I’m still a kid from Carolina, and that’s not going away.”
He shook his head and pulled on the horse’s bridle. “Sounds like you need a girl.”
“I got a girl,” I called at his back.
“Then let her in. You’re swinging your fists for the wrong fight.”
I LET THE HOT WATER run over me, hoping the day would follow it down the drain. I kept thinking of the stable keeper’s words, more angered by what he said than anything else that had happened.
I let America in. I knew what I was fighting for.
I toweled off, taking my time, trying to let the routine of getting dressed settle my mind. The starched uniform embraced my skin and with it came a sense of purpose and drive. I had work to do.
There was an order to things, and at the end of the day, Mer would be there.
I tried to stay focused as I walked to the king’s office on the third floor. When I knocked, Lodge opened the door. We nodded at each other as I entered the room. I didn’t always feel intimidated by the king, but within these walls I could watch as he changed thousands of lives with the flick of his finger.
“And we’ll ban the cameras from the palace until further notice,” King Clarkson said as an advisor took notes furiously. “I’m sure the girls have learned a lesson today, but tell Silvia to up the work on their decorum.” He shook his head. “I can’t begin to imagine what possessed that girl to do something so stupid. She was the favorite.”
Maybe your favorite, I thought, crossing the room. His desk was wide and dark, and I quietly reached for the bin that held his outgoing mail.
“Also, make sure we keep an eye on that girl who ran.”
My ears perked up, and I moved slower.
The advisor shook his head. “No one even noticed her, Your Majesty.
