Part of Your World (Disney Twisted Tales) - Liz Braswell Page 0,67
ever-growing mass of humans. Triton had already lost a wife to them—and Ariel, a mother.
"Just...forget about Eric for a moment," she finally said. "You'll just have to take my word that my father and my kingdom come first. That's all I have to offer."
"I guess," Attina said uncomfortably. "It's strange to hear you talking like this, now that you can talk. 'Take my word' and everything. Like a queen."
"I was talkmg like that before I could speak again," Ariel reminded her sharply, signing the words as she spoke. "Were you listening?"
"Oh, yeah, of course," Attina said, unsettled and chastised. "I just meant, in general. The last time you could speak—aloud—you were all...'Guess what I found, Attina!' And 'Listen to this song, Attina'...and all those silly stories about what you saw or thought you saw."
"And then I lost my father, and my voice, and the boy I loved, and then you made me queen. I guess that will change a person."
"Yes, I guess so."
The two sisters regarded each other silently. Ariel had no idea what was going on in Attina's head, and that was strange. Some secret part of her hoped it was jealousy, that Attina was regretting her decision to make her littlest sister the queen, that she felt she should have taken the crown herself. Jealousy would have been simple—though sad—and easily dealt with.
Not so this quiet reassessment, this weighing and evaluating from her oldest and closest sister.
Ariel swished her tail.
I'm going to rest for a bit and then give an update to the council before I have to leave again. Sebastian, Flounder, I hope you join me. Her hands wanted to sign these things. "I brought you these apples," she said aloud, holding out the bag. Attina's eyes widened as she peeped mside. "When did you...how did you...?"
The king's daughter greedily grabbed one in both her hands, holding it before her face like she was afraid it would disappear. "There's enough for all of you. Us'' Ariel corrected quickly. Attina shot her a look, but it softened almost immediately. "Thanks. This is—thanks."
"I'm going to rest for a bit and then update the Queen's Council on what has happened before I have to leave again. Besides the usual agenda, I plan on opening discussion to possible strategies for rescuing our father, since currently I am at a bit of a loss—maybe heads older and wiser than mine can think of something. Sebastian, Flounder, please work with Klios and Threll to come up with an official announcement about the return of my voice. It's best if everyone else learns it at the same time. Cuts down on gossip and chatter. After it has gone out, jom me m the council."
She swam away, trailed by her friends, resisting the urge to look back at her sister.
I guess that will change a person.
Something mside of her tore a little.
But there were sharks to manage and taxes to go over.
Grimsby and Carlotta sat m the butler's private office having tea together. Carlotta was wedged in: it would have been even harder for her to fit if the door hadn't been left open "for modesty and propriety." Carlotta had tried not to laugh at that; the dear old Bretlandian gent was never going to change his ways, not at this age.
As chiefs of their respective staffs they often worked late together, revising lists for parties, making sure the right number of footmen were there to serv e, and coordinating what they needed to order. The chef usually came as well.
But this time it was just the two of them, and instead of beer or soup or tankards of wine—what most of the lower staff drank—they were having tea. Grimsby had invited her specifically for tea, prepared the Bretland way: in a proper tiny cup, with no more than two lumps of sugar for ladies.
Carlotta sipped it as slowly as she could, smce there was actually very little of the hot beverage m its adorably mmuscule vessel. Not her thing, really, but as far as tea went it wasn't bitter and even a little floral. Delicate, like the rose-patterned teacup. Funny how formal and fussy the old gent was!
But once the ceremony of pouring and serving was over, they sat in awkward silence.
"A bit...a bit surprising, isn't it," Grimsby eventually ventured.
"With the..." Carlotta moved her hand like a mermaid, back and forth through the water.
' 'Yes—prec isely—''
"And the..." She waved her hand, indicating everything else.