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Kitty had been awake for ages by the time Leo
reappeared in her vestibule. It was
strange to see him in something other than his guard’s uniform, but his
unremarkable yet rugged outdoor gear no doubt made more sense for their
mission.
Neither of them spoke on their
way to the stables. A sleepy attendant
brought Mars out to them before shuffling off to the warmth of the office. Kitty could swear Mars gave her a
disapproving, sidelong look; she frowned at him in return. Why could no one understand what she was
trying to do?
As if reading her thoughts, Leo said, “You are still
certain, Miss Katharine?”
“I am.”
“You are very brave.”
“This isn’t about bravery,” Kitty said, because she
knew how brave she wasn’t; she felt sure that any moment now she would
throw up. “This is about taking
responsibility. My father indirectly
brought this onto your people, and as his daughter I’m the only one who can fix
it. So that’s just what I’m going to
do.”
“While I admire your sense of duty, this conflict was
many years in the making. Had not the
Minister led the movement, someone else would have.”
“Maybe, but that isn’t how it worked out. Oh, and just so you know,” Kitty told Leo,
her voice shaking slightly, “I’ve left a note in my room for the King in case
something goes wrong. I told the King it
was all my fault and that I basically blackmailed you into helping me. I’m sure he’ll believe it.”
His expression severe, Leo answered, “It makes no
difference, Miss Katharine. If something
goes wrong the King will not care whose fault it was. Now let us go, before he notices my absence.”
