“We were, sir,” I tell him.
He turns to Mama. “Lady Rugova, I’m hoping that you might agree to sit on an advisory board, I’m putting together, to ensure that hospitality employees have access to any resources they need, during this time of transition, and that they’re subject to fair work practices.”
Mama stares at him, like he’s started speaking Pig Latin. “Oh—yes, sir. Of course. Anything you wish.”
My eyebrows creep up my forehead. Mama is going to have to work? An advisory board is a world away from scrubbing floors, but it wasn’t the way things were done in old Paravel.
And he’s concerned about menial workers. I think I like our new King.
I turn to him with a smile. “What about me, sir? What can I do?”
He eyes me, thoughtfully. “I don’t know, Lady Wraye. What can you do?”
“Not a great deal, as I left school at sixteen.” I think for a moment, remembering the newspapers that have been stacked on our table every day, filled with empty words and gossip. Maybe I can undo some of the damage Mama has caused. “I’ve noticed that there hasn’t been a lot of official communication with the press, except for the Royal Commission being announced. Maybe I could help with that? We could get the papers interested in the good work the First Families are doing for the people of Paravel.”
King Anson smiles. “A press office. A good idea. We should have one of those. I’ll talk to Remus, and you can both expect letters from me very soon.”
Even I find myself smiling and curtsying too much as we back out of the room.
I clutch Mama’s arm in delight as we make our way out of the building. “Not only does King Anson think about the people of Paravel and what they need, but he listened to us as well. I never dreamed that anyone in charge could care about his people like that. He does care, doesn’t he? I wasn’t just imagining it?”
But nothing is going to distract Mama on this most wonderful of days. Her expression is rapturous. “We’re to have our house and fortune restored. The Rugovas truly are a First Family, once more. We can hold our heads up, wherever we go.”
I turn to Mama, channeling my severest Devrim-like frown. “Promise me you’ll take your new position seriously. We’re going to earn what is given to us by the King, and not just attend parties and lie about on sofas all day.”
Mama thrusts her chapped hands at me. “I do remember what it’s like to work hard, thank you very much. Before the People’s Republic, I was deeply involved in charity work.” She wrinkles her nose. “Though, why I’m to sit on an advisory board for unskilled workers, I can’t imagine.”
I think I can. King Anson hopes she’ll understand those who work in the same job that she used to and know what they need. I wonder how many other members of the First Families he’s asked to contribute to the country. I hope all of them. I’ll have to ask Devrim what he thinks about this when I see him next.
My heart sinks when I remember that, when I do see him next, he won’t want to speak to me.
I blink quickly and turn to Mama. “You were always telling me that there were things about being a chambermaid that you would change for the better. Now’s your chance.”
Mama thinks about that for a moment. “True, darling.” She smiles hesitantly as if suddenly realizing I’m no longer angry with her.
I look away quickly, because while some of the heat has gone out of me, I’m still not happy with her about what she did to Devrim.
The next morning, we both receive embossed letters on thick cream paper. Mama has two, one regarding signing the new deed for the house, and another from the King’s office. Mine is from the King’s office, as well.Dear Lady Wraye Rugova,
Thank you for coming to the palace yesterday. A press office at the palace would be ideal, and I would like you to lead it. Might I suggest that you intern at a large company, one with an established relationship with the press, to learn how these things are done?
Barbican Manufacturing is expecting you at lunchtime today. Please ask for Miss Callisto Longe at the front desk.
Yours sincerely,
Anson RMy eyes widen as I read the letter over. This sounds like King Anson wants me to learn how a press office works, and then run one. That’s more than a little daunting. I could be terrible at it.
The R after his name is written with a curly flourish. “R? Why Anson R?”
“R is for Rex. King, in Latin,” Mama says. She sniffs and tucks her letter back into its envelope. “I’m to attend the first advisory board meeting today, and tomorrow, we’re to visit and speak with the staff at Hotel Ivera. This letter says nothing at all about being paid for my work.”