The Footsteps to Freedom

Chapter 11

"Father, I was thinking," Alice started. "Did you ever think about giving financial support to the people who need it?"

The royal family, along with Gregory, was sitting in the throne room right after breakfast. The king cleared his voice before he spoke. "Yes actually, I did consider it."

"Then why didn't you offer it?" Alice pondered.

"It wouldn't work out. The cons outweigh the pros," he answered.

"How so?" Alice asked.

"You are still too young to understand this," King Henry brushed off the topic.

Alice was going to reply, when a loud knock came from the door. A man entered and he quickly made his way over to the king. He whispered something in the king's ear, and the king became angry. "Take it away from him!" he ordered. The man bowed and raced out of the room.

The king then turned to Alice. "What were you doing in the dungeon yesterday?"

Alice's face reddened, while Gregory looked shocked. "I just wanted to talk to the man," Alice said quietly.

"About what?? There was nothing for you to talk to him about," the king said.

"I went to hear the rest of his story. You cannot make a judgment without hearing the whole story," Alice told him.

"Who is ruling the kingdom, me or you?" the king asked.

"You," Alice said. "But-."

"Exactly," he interrupted. "End of discussion. I can do whatever I think is right."

"But father, it is not fair!" Alice cried.

"It is very fair," he stated. "Now we have more important things to discuss. This is the end of that discussion. I hope you do not go back to the dungeon again, to speak to anyone! Are we clear?"

"Yes father," Alice said. Inside though, she was boiling. She wanted to speak out, but she knew it wasn't a good time. Her father was currently preparing to give a speech, since today was his 26th anniversary as king. Her mother was going to give a speech too, and Alice was to stand there and smile. Gregory would be at near her in case she needed to do something.

"It is almost eleven," Gregory stated. "We should get ready to go."

The king and queen stood by the balcony door, arm in arm. Alice was to walk out after them by a few seconds.

"Remember," Gregory whispered as he stood behind her. "Count five seconds before you go. Throw your shoulders back, hold your head up high, and smile. When everyone else claps, clap softly. While someone is speaking, look at that person, never once losing your smile. I will be at the balcony door in case I need to tell you anything, hidden from the world. Try not to mess up or do anything stupid. Any last questions?"

Alice glared at him but said nothing. She took a deep breath, and watched her parents go out. Then, she counted to five and slowly followed them. The crowd was cheering them on, and Alice waved to them, her fake smile on her face. Then, everyone quieted down as the king began his speech. It was a very long speech, and Alice was finding it hard to keep her fake smile plastered on her face. After maybe a half hour, he came to an end.

"I pray to God that he will lengthen my life so I will have the honor to be your king for many more years to come," he smiled. "Long live the king!"

Everyone began to clap, and Alice clapped politely as Gregory had instructed her to do. Then, everything happened at once. Two gunshots were fired, and a bullet landed on the window behind Alice, shattering it. The other was aimed for the king, but the guards were quick to surround him. Alice stood in her spot, stunned. As more gunshots filled the air, Alice felt Gregory grab her arm and pull her inside. Her mother and father had already been rushed inside, as pandemonium broke out in the crowd. People screamed, while others rushed away. Guards surrounded the building, trying to maintain order.