"And today I will dispense justice. Jude Duarte, do you deny you murdered Prince Balekin, Ambassador of the Undersea and brother of the High King?"
I am not sure what he wants me to say. Would it help to deny it? If so, surely he would not put it to me in such a way - a way that makes it clear that he believes I did kill Balekin. Cardan has had a plan all along. All I can do is trust that he has a plan now.
"I do not deny that we had a duel and that I won it," I say, my voice coming out more uncertain than I'd like.
All of the eyes of the Folk are on me, and for a moment, as I look out at their pitiless faces, I feel Madoc's absence keenly. Orlagh's smile is full of sharp teeth.
"Hear my judgement," Cardan says, authority ringing in his voice. "I exile Jude Duarte to the mortal world. Until and unless she is pardoned by the crown, let her not step one foot in Faerie or forfeit her life."
I gasp. "But you can't do that!"
He looks at me for a long moment, but his gaze is mild, as though he's expecting me to be fine with exile. As though I am nothing more than one of his petitioners. As though I am nothing at all. "Of course I can," he replies.
"But I am the Queen of Faerie," I shout.
Then I crack it. I am the crown.
Everyone around me begins to laugh. It stings. Why would he do this? But I need to try.
"I pardon myself!" I yell._________________________
The bolded text that is most of this chapter belongs to Holly Black, so does the characters.
I'm rereading TWK at the moment, and I started thinking, what if Jude solves the meaning of Cardan's words? What if she pardons herself then and there? This is a 'fanfic' about that.
YOU ARE READING
The Wicked King and His Clever Queen
FantasyThe Wicked king ending different, what if Jude cracks the meaning behind Cardan's words?