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It is strange to sleep. No matter what I do, I feel foolish. I know that in these conditions I cannot be as graceful as I should.
I finally demand that a crude blanket be brought to me, and I sleep. It is not what I am accustomed to, but I have been in worse places by now.
After my confused dreaming, I sit for a few hours, still as a statue, wondering whether it is day or night, thinking of many things. Finally, I hear steps coming down into the dungeons. I stand up immediately and cast aside my blanket, summoning all my grace as Edward walks into the cell, flanked by some guards, and followed by my sister, head erect, with chilly grace.
I want to weep with pride and sorrow for my young sister. She is carrying herself so well, with all the proper distance. And yet she has changed so much...hardened. Embittered.
One brief glance between us tells me that we both know we have our roles to play. This interview could be life or death for her, and our cause. We both know this.
I allow myself to stare at the Lady Alice, like a woman missing her sister. And Alice looks away, her face cold, like stone.
Edward clears his throat, and I look at him. He smiles, but my expression does not change. My face is haughty and uninterested.
"Good morning, Alisyn dear," he says cheerfully. "I thought that we might question you together as well as separately."
"Do as you must," I say indifferently. So he has already questioned my sister. But I must believe that we can do this, though I cannot know what she has told him.
Alice is ushered to my side, and she bristles at the careless treatment but stays silent.
"Lord Andrew has disappeared," the King comments, almost conversationally. "So you see I have reason to doubt that you were unassisted in this scheme."
"Well, having endured your justice personally, I can see why he has run away," I say spitefully. "He was probably scared out of his wits that you would make up some story and behead him."
The King's brow furrows, and he waves the guards away from this near-treasonous speech. They hesitate, but Edward insists, and they leave us alone.
"You speak boldly, Alisyn," the King murmurs.
I shrug. "I am Queen."
Edward's face transforms into complete rage. "You are Queen no longer!" His vehemence surprises me, but my face only flushes with anger.
"You know very well that I am more of a monarch than you have ever been," I mutter murderously. "You cannot, you dare not suggest I do not rule this country by right. You and I both know that I never gave up my power willingly."
My tone convinces him that there is no arguing. After a chilly silence, he shrugs. "You can believe that if you wish. This fact does not change anything." It changes everything, but I let it go for now.
"So," he continues, "I find it very hard to believe that Lord Philip would not accompany you."
"I am sure he would have," I answer, "but I have not seen him since you cast me--" his eyes glitter dangerously, and I amend my words to oblige him-- "since I changed residences."
He looks about to smile at my bitter euphemism, but quickly he controls himself. I continue, my voice imperceptibly raising with sarcasm and anger.
"I was hoping to meet him at the ball; I was not aware that he had left court. It gets very lonely, especially when one is used to plenty and suddenly is forced to live on nothing. So how can you blame me for wanting to dress up and talk to someone of my own class again?"
My sarcasm and spite and anger makes him laugh, despite himself. "Ah, Alisyn," he sighs, "you haven't changed at all."
If only I had. Because he has changed drastically, and I feel so left behind.
He takes my hands, but I use all my will not to react.
"Am I really supposed to believe that you went to all that trouble for some innocent entertainment?"
I shrug again. "If you wish it. But I really do miss Lord Philip. If you know where he's gone, please, tell me."
My husband shakes his head sadly, as if my plight actually grieves him. "I am afraid that is not possible. I doubt you will be seeing him again. If we find him, he will not remain in a cell for very long."
"You wouldn't execute him!" I gasp, pulling my hands from his in shock.
"He committed treason," Edward says rationally. "He betrayed his country by betraying me."
"I did not know it was treason to support one's true ruler when everyone else, even her husband, has forsaken her!" I snap, close to tears.
"That is enough!" he yells, matching my anger. "I am King, without dispute. You are a fallen queen, you are nothing more than a commoner now!"
"My power is my right! You cannot take power from an anointed queen! It is my sacred right!" Our voices are escalating into absolutely unroyal volumes.
"We will see! We will see if this sacred power you hold so dear convinces anyone of your majesty when your head is on the block!"
I gasp indignantly, without a reply. His daring is beyond belief. How could he even suggest...?
After a few moments, he calms down and turns to Alice. "What do you have to say to your sister? I know you have not seen her in weeks...at least, that is what you say."
Lady Alice turns to me, her tragic face strong under disappointment. She glares at Edward as if he is intruding, but then speaks sadly to me.
"Sister," she says. "I dearly wish you would not have taken this course. Whatever your motives--what did you expect to gain? What could you reap from this reckless move other than heartache for everyone who loves you?"
"But, Sister--!" I gasp, my face a mask of hurt.
"No!" Alice shakes her head. "It is terrible that this has happened, and I grieve for you daily. But there is no going back now. By trying to reclaim the past, you only make moving forward harder. Edward is not a terrible King. Everyone is happy. I fear you have been selfish, Alisyn."
I am speechless at my sister's betrayal. Silent tears cross her cheeks, and finally Edward leads her out of the cell without a word, leaving me all alone.
I smile. We have played our parts perfectly.
And yet our heated argument runs through my mind. It has gone better than I had hoped...and yet I can take little comfort from this.
 LadyAlisyn · Mon Jul 06, 2009 @ 04:21am · 0 Comments |
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