Meanwhile, the members of Awakening Manor had already planned to post large banners in the streets after dark.
Each one would bear the same message: Fight to the end.
That afternoon, my father and Ronald returned, limping.
My father’s face was a mix of emotions, while Ronald looked utterly defeated.
“Emily, I couldn’t protect you. I failed,” Ronald said, his voice heavy with guilt.
I quickly helped him sit down and called for someone to tend to his wounds.
I had thought they’d given up on me, but it turns out that during the three days they were missing, my father and Ronald had been pleading with the king. They had knelt outside the palace for three days straight, only fainting from exhaustion this morning, which finally led the king to send them away.
“It’s okay. I still have time,” I told my brother.
My father called me to his study. His face was as pale as a ghost.
“Emily, I’ve done everything I can. I know you feel it’s unfair, but changing the law is nearly impossible. If it ever comes to that.”
I cut him off. “If it really comes to that, I’ll do as you say.”
He nodded, letting out a long sigh. “Don’t tell Ronald.”
“I won’t,” I replied.
The seventh day came.