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wrong.”
    The King barely heard a word of their back and forth. His mind was filled with black thoughts, and it took all of his courtly skill not to show his grief, but to instead keep his face frozen in an expression of mild disinterest. Fortunately, he had many long years of practice at this so he wore the look quite naturally. “I am inclined to agree with the Lord Protector in conclusion, if not reasoning,” he finally opined. “With all due respect to you, Lady Rapunzel, and to your fair sister, Lord Protector, it sounds like the Princess is guilty of little more than being a poor hostess and badly overstepping her station. I think jealousy—­yes, Lord Protector,” he said, forestalling Will’s nascent protest—­“jealousy rather than ambition is the likely culprit behind Princess Gwendolyn’s behavior.”
    Rapunzel tried to keep her face respectful, but the King could see that she did not agree with his conclusion. Visibly gathering herself, she said, “Your Majesty, I hate to be contrary, but . . .”
    â€œBut you’re going to be anyway,” he replied, and admired the lady’s resolve on the subject.
    â€œYes, Your Majesty, I am,” she said with a hint of rebellion in her tone.
    The King held up his hand, cutting her off. “Lady Rapunzel, I understand that Princess Gwendolyn can be cold and haughty, and I know better than most that her temper can be downright nasty, particularly when she feels she has been slighted, but it is my opinion that you and Lady Elizabeth have overreacted.”
    Will, who had been listening to the debate in silence, now dropped the finger he had been chewing—­a nasty habit he needed to be broken of—­and leaned forward. “Sire, are you absolutely sure there is no danger? I do not worry about myself, but I do not want Liz placed in any harm.”
    The King paused, surprised to hear Will speak at all. He saw the color rush to the lad’s cheeks as he realized that he was, in effect, contradicting his monarch. Lady Rapunzel used the moment to renew her assault. “Indeed, Your Majesty, Will should be with his sister. Besides, you and Prince Charming should be able to handle the Princess.”
    The King felt the warmth drain from his face, and Rapunzel’s voice trailed off as she recognized that she had said something very wrong. An awkward silence followed, and no one seemed to wish to be the first to break it.
    Finally, Lady Rapunzel spoke, but in a much softer tone. “Where is your son, the Prince, Your Majesty? I should have thought he would be at your side.”
    Where was Edward? He felt old and tired, and responded in a voice that seemed to come to him from very far away. “Prince Charming is no more.”
    Lady Rapunzel gasped in shock, and tears welled in her eyes. “The Prince? No! Forgive me, had I known . . . I am terribly sorry . . .”
    She reached out for him, and the King watched himself first clasp and then pat her hand before releasing it, but he could not feel the touch. Some courtly reflex made him respond. “You could not know, as it was only a day hence that I . . . I . . .” killed him , he finished silently. Only a deep sigh marked the thought. “It doesn’t matter. The fact is that the Prince will not return. Yet another reason I need the Lord Protector with me at the castle. You will take the news of his safe return to Lady Elizabeth at your family’s country estate and bring her back to Castle White. Now, if you will allow me, I am tired and need to rest.”
    Lady Rapunzel took the dismissal with remarkable grace. Without hesitation, she lifted the red hood back over her hair and replied, “Of course, you must be exhausted, Your Majesty. If, however, I may beg your indulgence, Your Grace. I have been trapped in this beastly carriage for two days, and would dearly like to ride a while in the