Chapter 367: Twisted Intentions

Chapter 366: Twisted Intentions

Lyria’s POV

I took a slow breath, steadying myself.

"The commoners," I said carefully, "though they d-do not hold any position of p-power as the nobles do, they do h-have power."

Jacinta scoffed.

I ignored her.

"They work. They p-pay taxes. The majority of what the r-royal family and n-nobles are able to l-live upon is because the commoners s-support the kingdom."

The chamber fell silent.

Even the fire seemed quieter.

I felt the Queen’s gaze upon me and then I heard a low growl and I knew without a doubt it came from her.

The sound was deep and threatening, but I continued speaking.

"If the commoners w-were to begin a p-protest," I said, forcing each word past the tightness in my throat, "it would affect the entire kingdom. Sending them a-away after they had p-paid considerably to attend while allowing the nobles to r-remain would have given them r-reason to feel insulted."

My fingers tightened against my gown.

"The commoners themselves k-know when they are being disrespected. I c-could see it on some of their faces. They did not like the w-way they were treated."

Jacinta spoke up at that moment.

"The commoners are nothing but commoners," she said. "They ought not even to possess an opinion on such matters. It is only because his Majesty is merciful that they are permitted to voice one at all."

Something hot flashed through me.

For one absurd moment, I imagined crossing the room and slapping her.

I imagined the silence that would follow.

Then reality returned and I lowered my eyes.

I wondered whether she truly believed that without the commoners, there would still be a kingdom.

That there would still be a King.

That there would be anything at all.

"Should I take your words as treason?" The Queen asked me.

My head snapped up.

"P-pardon?"

"Treason," the Queen repeated calmly.

There was something almost frightening about how composed she sounded.

"You have spoken of a protest against the Crown. You have suggested that the people possess sufficient influence to challenge the royal family. Tell me, what am I supposed to make of that?"

My heart began to pound.

"That is n-not what I s-said."

The Queen smiled coldly.

"Oh, but it is."

"N-no, Your Majesty." I shook my head quickly, my composure faltering. "I was speaking of the p-power the commoners possess. I was not s-saying they intended to r-revolt."

"But you mentioned a protest."

"Because I was e-explaining what c-could happen if t-they felt they w-were being treated u-unfairly."

The Queen’s smile widened.

"Precisely."

I stared at her as she rose slowly from her seat.

"Which means that you have considered the possibility."

My stomach dropped.

"I considered it as a c-consequence, not as an i-intention."

"Did you?"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

She approached me.

"Then perhaps you ought to explain why you seem to know so much about the dissatisfaction of the common people."

I froze.

"I d-do n-not."

"Do not lie to me."

"I am n-not lying."

"Then how did you know they would object?"

"B-b-because I saw their faces." My voice trembled as I spoke. "I was s-standing a-among them."

The Queen’s eyes narrowed.

"You spoke with them?" She asked me.

"Yes."

"How very interesting."

I realised too late that I had given her another piece of information she could twist.

Jacinta folded her arms.

"Mother, I told you she was becoming too comfortable."

The Queen did not look at her.

"Quite."

I swallowed nervously.

This had not been my intention at all.

"I believe you have given me valuable information." The Queen said to me.

I stared at her as her smile widened.

"You have just informed me that the commoners are dissatisfied with the Crown. You have informed me that they have discussed protesting. You have informed me that you have been speaking with them."

My blood ran cold.

"I d-did not say they were planning anything."

"You did not need to."

"Y-your Majesty—"

"Perhaps they are planning a revolt."

My eyes widened.

"N-no."

"Perhaps they have already begun and perhaps you are involved."

She regarded me for several moments.

Then, unexpectedly, she smiled.

"Since I have known you," she said, "this is the first time you have said anything that could actually prove useful to the royal family."

My stomach sank.

I understood then.

She had no intention of listening to what I meant.

She had already decided what my words meant.

My intention had been twisted.

My goodwill had been twisted.

Every attempt I had made to explain myself had merely given her more material to use against me.

This was not what I had said.

This was not what I had intended.

And it certainly was not what I had wanted.

I had thought I could use reason to weasel my way out of the situation.

I should have known better.

The royal family did not care about my reasoning.

The Queen certainly did not.

I had been summoned here to be punished.

Nothing I said was going to change that.

And now, I had accomplished something far worse.

I had placed the commoners in danger.

My heart twisted painfully at the thought.

They had trusted me.

And now, because I had attempted to defend them, I had possibly placed them in danger.

I should have been quiet.

I should never have spoken at the arena.

I should not have spoken here.

The Queen turned towards Jacinta.

"What punishment should be given to the spawn?"

Jacinta’s lips curved into a smile.

"Obviously, we must first determine whether she has any involvement with those who may be planning a revolt against the Crown."

My heart sank further.

"But for the present..."

She tapped one finger thoughtfully against her arm.

"I believe the spawn ought to be exempted from all dates for the remainder of the week. Though, I doubt any of the suitors would be particularly distressed by her absence."

A few of the maids lowered their eyes.

I could feel the humiliation burning through me.

Jacinta continued.

"She has already made herself thoroughly unpleasant today. I believe a week without the attention of the suitors would be quite appropriate."

The Queen was silent for a moment.

Then she chuckled.

"I like that."