Lucille

Billowing clouds filled the early autumn skies as pouring rain created streams flowing through the castle lawns. Staring out the window of my private suite, I held tight to the warm cup of tea and watched the scene with morbid fascination. Despite the latitudinal position of Molave, the influence of the North Atlantic Ocean made the southern region of our country much warmer than the latitudinal position would indicate. The most noticeable change as winter approached was the lack of daylight. In the summer months, there were few hours of darkness. Soon, it will be the opposite.

I spun toward the door at the sound of Lady Buckingham’s knock.

A curtsy and a bow of her head, and she came closer, shutting the door behind her. “Your Highness, the palace guards have been made aware that there is a restriction on your travel.”

My things were packed and all that separated me from the palace in Molave City was a two-hour drive through the mountains to the coast.

“By?”

“Senior guards in Molave City.”

“Nonsense,” I said, shaking my head and setting the teacup back upon the saucer. “Only the monarchs have the authority to overrule me.” After five years, I’d learned a thing or two. “Unless the decision is directly from the prince, queen, or king, I am traveling.”

“Mrs. Drake—”

“Does not have the authority.”

“No, Your Highness. The chief minister warned of danger. It would be best not to travel alone—in one car,” she clarified.

Bending rules wasn’t the same as breaking them.

“Instead of the royal fleet,” I proposed, “we will travel in a few separate automobiles unmarked with the royal standard. No one will know it is us.”

“You will have to be announced in order to receive admission to the palace grounds.”

“And at that time,” I said, “I will already be there. Surely, you don’t believe the guards would turn me away—with safety concerns.”

“If I could reach out to the queen’s mistress?”

I shook my head.

As last night progressed, I became more and more upset with Mrs. Drake’s visit. Damn the consequences, I wanted to know what was happening. Staying safe behind walls and gates wouldn’t allow me to learn what was underway.

“Inform me when the automobiles are ready.”

Lady Buckingham bowed before going to the tray that had been brought to me for breakfast. As she was about to lift the silver dome, I went toward her and laid my hand on top.

“Lucille?”

“I’m not hungry, and I don’t plan to waste time talking about what I have or haven’t consumed. Once we’re to Molave City, I will eat.”

Lady Buckingham’s lips pressed together. Her gray eyes told me she didn’t approve, yet her words stayed silent.

As she carried the tray toward the door, I said, “You will ride with me.”

With an upturn of her lips, she nodded. “Of course, ma’am.”

Despite the hushed whispers as Lady Buckingham and I entered the first car, my plan was in full motion. The earlier rain was now a drizzle as we were driven through the first castle gate. The long brick lane that led away from the castle was covered by a canopy of tree limbs. Leaves from above fell, floating to the ground and covering the lane in a slippery mixture.

As the final gate opened, the car didn’t move forward. With a quick look ahead, I saw the reason. A small crowd of people stood, chanting and blocking our way.

My pulse increased as Lady Buckingham reached for my hand.

“What is happening?” I asked. “It wasn’t like this two days ago.”

“Your Highness,” our driver said, “I should take you back to Annabella Castle.”

“No,” I replied, listening to the words from beyond the windows.

In the royal fleet, the doors were thicker, the windows also. I’d requested normal cars. That was what I had.

“Princess, help us.”

They were calling to me.

My forehead furrowed as I turned to Lady Buckingham. “I should speak.”

“No, Your Highness, you should not.” She held tighter to my hand. “It isn’t safe.”

“Put the car in park,” I demanded.

As the driver complied, the people moved closer, entering the castle grounds. Our driver radioed to the guards in the cars following behind. I waited until the guards secured a space beyond my door. “Tell him to open it,” I said.

My driver sent the message.

I wasn’t dressed for a photo op. On the contrary, I was wearing traveling clothes: slacks, boots, and a jumper covered by a long mackintosh. Summoning my determination, I took a deep breath as the door opened.

The light drizzle fell to my hair as I stepped out. The loud chants quieted as people bowed and curtsied and murmurs of my name filled my ears.

Taking a step beyond my guard, I approached a woman. Wearing a dark mac and a plastic bonnet covering her white hair, she was soaked to the skin. I reached for her, and her chilled hands trembled in my grasp.

“Hello.”

The older woman managed a curtsy before grasping my hand. “Princess Lucille.”

Nodding, I looked at her and around at the others. The entire crowd was watching the two of us. “You will catch your death out here in this weather.”

“The young prince’s birthday, Your Highness. We’ve been here since yesterday morning, hoping to see you before you went to the palace.”

“I’m here. What do you want of me?”

Her eyes opened wide as the crowd took a collective breath.

“I want to know why you’re waiting,” I said with a sad smile. “How may I help?”

“We” —she looked around to the others— “come to you, humbly asking that you will please speak to King Theodore.”

“I shall, I’m certain.”

“The prince’s tariffs.”

“His tariffs?” I didn’t mean for it to sound like a question.

“Do you not know?” a man close by asked rather loudly.

“I’m sorry, no.”

The crowd grew louder.

Letting go of the woman’s hand, I lifted mine. “Please. I don’t know about the tariffs, but not because I don’t want to. I do. I’m headed to the palace in Molave City to take my place and represent each of you.”

“King Theodore has approved this?” the man from a moment ago asked.

“You have my word I’ll speak to the king.”

“Word is,” the older woman said, “the king is ill. He must know what the crown prince has done.”

“I will do all I can,” I said.

The discontentment eased as the crowd bowed their heads and offered words of appreciation.

“If you’ll allow us to pass,” I said. The air filled with chants of Princess Lucille.

Once I was back inside the car, I turned to Lady Buckingham. “I think our plan of arriving unannounced was for naught.”

“Perhaps you should place a call…”

My empty stomach twisted with dread for my first conversation with my husband. If he knew what had just occurred, he wouldn’t take my call. If he didn’t know, it was better to not rush his anger.

“To the palace,” I said. “I will speak with the prince in person.” I turned to my mistress and lowered my voice. “What do you know of the king’s health?”

She shook her head. “Only rumors.”

My chest twisted.

King Theodore was respected by the people of Molave, by those beyond the borders as well. Despite his title and power, he’d always been kind to me, even jovial. Yes, I’d speak to my husband, and also to the king.