are at our best and hide when we feel inadequate. Today, I truly wished to hide because I felt unworthy to speak to you all. So, I did what all young people do when they are scared—I called my mother.”
This time, more than a few people laughed, making me smile more.
“And to my dismay, my mother was not as terrified or worried as I was. She simply told me, either you will fail, or you will not, but either way, you will survive. It sounds wise, but it was not the advice I wanted. So, I spoke to the king, as my father is no longer alive.”
There were a few soft mutters behind me, but I ignored them.
“And he told me that the secret is to lean on your strengths when you can and others when you cannot—also very wise but also did not give me much hope.”
Again, a few snickers.
“So, what was I to do? How was I to give this speech? It was a question that haunted me right until I walked in here. Then I heard a group of you humming a song as you waited to be seated. Music has always been my refuge, so I asked the Duchess of Elmburgh what it was you were humming, and she said the university pledge, which is conveniently on the back of your order service. I found that gave me comfort.” I replied before singing the words.
Oh, I do know what awaits us when we enter.
Oh, I do know what awaits us when we leave.
Here and now is where we stand.
Here and now is what we have.
Glimpses of wisdom,
Echoes of dreams,
Words from our fathers and their fathers,
Hopes from our mothers and their mothers,
I was startled when one by one, they all started to stand. But again, I was reassured as they sang the words with me.
We stand on them so they may stand on us.
I stand beside you so you may lean on me.
Forward together!
Forward together!
United, we are!
Harshest days,
Cruelest nights.
United, we are!
Stumble and fall a thousand times.
Discouraged or downtrodden
United, we are!
I stood silently, stunned at what I was witnessing as everyone who was sitting stood, as everyone who was standing stood taller to sing with her. Cheerfully and loudly as if we were not in parliament but in the middle of a pub. I turned, and even Iskandar spoke the words.
“Weeping Joyfully.
Mind in mind.
Heart in heart.
Fearless and eager.
To rise,
United, we are!
Oh, I do know what awaits us when we enter.
Oh, I do know what awaits us when we leave.
But united, I know we are!”
Finished. They all cheered despite the fact that Odette was not finished. I missed a few of her next words because of it, but finally, they quieted down so I could hear.
“I say to you all today—you will fail at times, and it will feel miserable. Fear will grip you, and you will stumble or freeze. But do not stop, do not give up because, as my mother told me, and I tell you—you will survive it—for I have survived this by doing what our king told me to do, relying on not only my strength to get me through but also yours. Be kind. Be brave. Go forward into whatever awaits you with courage and hope, for you have many more good days ahead of you. With that, I say thank you to the president of the Royal University and all of you. It is my honor to have spoken to you today, and I look forward to standing united with you wherever and whenever you allow me to.”
I did not know which cheers I heard first—the students’ or everyone else’s in the building. I did not know why I was so still, so unable to grasp what was going on, but I was. Watching them all, I was stunned.
“Congratulations, Your Highness,” Horvath said as he shook my hand. “She has won their hearts...at least for today.”
That was it.
That was why I was stunned.
They loved her.
I was so used to being the only one—well, except for her mother and her fans—to see greatness in her that I often felt like I was defending her, trying to force everyone else to see what I saw, and now they did. Even if it was just for today, this moment, they saw Odette as I did. It wasn’t just a graduation speech. It meant much more than that.
“Thank you. I shall confer your words to her,” I said, nodding to Balduin and Iskandar for us to leave.