Aurelia Read Online Free PDF Page B

will affect you."
    "He would know," the man replied, "if we had somebody to speak our piece at the palace. As it is, we can't control our own future."
    understanding flickered through Aurelia's heart. The man had a point, one far stronger than the weight of his own purse. "I'll share your concerns," she said. "you have my word. The people deserve a voice at the palace."
    mumbles of approval rippled through the square. Good, she thought, maybe now they will disband in peace. A new silence descended, broken only by the rustle of a petticoat as daria stepped from the crowd and moved to her friend's side in support. Aurelia let out a slow breath.
    Then a disturbance bubbled at the back of the crowd. people shifted, grumbling protests. A black cap forged its way forward, ripping a seam through the wave of bodies. Closer and closer it sped. Then a shout.
    Harsh steel flared; four swords flashed. Voices raised in rekindled anger. The silence whipped into fury, and strong hands forced Aurelia to the ground.

Chapter Three
    CARNIVAL

    "WHAT Were YOU THINKING?" THE QUEEN'S COLD voice cut into Aurelia's heart. elise did not bother to stand or turn around to speak to her stepdaughter. Instead, icy blue eyes and a frigid stare reflected out of the vanity mirror. elise's pale neck showed bare below a tight knot of black hair, and her rigid back and shoulders remained frozen and erect against the white backdrop of the vanity table and dressing-room windows. "The guards tell me you almost caused a riot this morning."
    "They almost caused the riot," Aurelia protested from the doorway. she wanted to talk to her father. she did not want to defend herself to her stepmother. "If they had not drawn their swords, daria would have recognized the boy in the crowd, and the conflict would have ended."
    "What boy?" The queen picked up a jewelry box with a heart etched on the lid.
    "He was just a boy wearing a black cap. daria paid his father too much for an item she purchased in the market, and the boy's father sent his son to return the money. The man needn't have bothered, but it was the honorable thing to do. except the boy got caught behind the crowd; and when it quieted, he tried to come forward to give daria the money."
    "Thank heavens that girl has finally gone off with her new husband. I hope you select a more suitable lady's maid to replace her."
    Aurelia's temper flared. she had missed her friend's departure because of her stepmother's summons. "daria isn't to blame. If the guards had waited, the boy would have explained himself, and there wouldn't have been a problem; but they drew their swords and set off the entire crowd. The guards are the ones who ought to be reprimanded."
    "you're lucky more guards arrived when they did." elise arched her sharp eyebrows. "Or the episode could have been disastrous, not only for you, but for your father."
    "Let me see him. If what the protesters said was true, they had a good argument. Father should hear about it."
    "The city rabble cause enough problems without you helping them. They can't be expected to understand politics. but you, Aurelia, should have known better. your father does not have time to discuss this with you right now. He is preparing for an important guest. you may speak with him at the next council meeting." The queen removed an icicle necklace from the box. "In the meantime, you should remain within the palace."
    "but tonight is Carnival!"
    "Which you won't be attending." elise snapped the box shut.
    You certainly won't stop me. Aurelia whirled and stalked from the room.
    Ornate tapestries and gold filigree taunted her as she moved down the hallway. It angered her to think the queen's expensive taste had damaged her father's reputation in the city. The glossy furniture, walls of embroidered cloth, and paintings on the ceilings all reflected elise's own extravagance.
    At times Aurelia wished her father had never met elise. but that was not entirely fair. If Aurelia's own mother had never