Chapter 33

Hadrian and Alina emerged onto the gravel path and into the last of the afternoon sunshine.Alina was finding it hard to breathe.

Alina whispered angrily"This isn't fair,I don't know what the King thinks I can do, but it isn't fair to throw me out there and expect me to just … make things happen."

Hadrian without looking at her replied "I know hi hard for you,but thr King wants to see you.As time goes by he is getting more and more anxious with rumors about West Ravka."

Alina stared at him,she could tell it was true after all she herself heard some of those rumors.

Hadrian glanced down at Alina and said "Do you really believe I brought you all this way to make a fool out of you? Out of both of us?"

Alina simply replied"No,And it's completely out of your hands now, isn't it?"

Hadrianhe nodded as they made their way through the dark wooded tunnel of branches.

Alina was really anxious and was speculating a lot of things,which were too stupid.

As they made their way through the grounds and were climbing the white marble steps to the Grand Palace.They moved through a spacious entry hall into a long corridor lined with mirrors and ornamented in gold,

Alina couldn't help, but thinkthought how different this place was from the Little Palace.

Everywhere she looked,she saw marble and gold, soaring walls of white and palest blue, gleaming chandeliers, liveried footmen, polished parquet floors laid out in elaborate geometric designs. It wasn't without beauty, but there was something exhausting about the extravagance of it all.She had always assumed that Ravka's hungry peasants and poorly supplied soldiers were the result of the Shadow Fold. But as she walked by a tree of jade embellished with diamond leaves, she wasn't so sure.Sure she heard Hadrian and Lord Sirius have been improving the life of many people,but this was slightly disturbing to her that the King was living in so much extravagance,while the poor suffered.

Hadrian as reading her projected thoughts said"Yes,it is like you guess the King doesn't care the poor,he only cares about beauty and wealth and most stories you heard about his Kind and wise image are fake.The truth is poor gets poorer and rich gets richer."

Alina frowned at that and muttered"But you are different, you trying to help everyone."

Hadrian smiled and at her naive thoughts,but nodded.As they walked to the throne room,which was three stories high, every window sparkling with gold double eagles. A long, pale blue carpet ran the length of the room to where the members of the court milled about a raised throne. Many of the men wore military dress, black trousers and white coats laden with medals and ribbons. The women sparkled in gowns of liquid silk with little puffed sleeves and low necklines. Flanking the carpeted aisle, the Grisha stood arranged in their separate orders.

A hush fell as every face turned to Hadrian and Alina.General Kirigan was there waiting for Hadrian and Alina,he joined them too.They walked slowly toward the golden throne. As they drew closer, the King sat up straighter, tense with excitement. He looked to be in his forties, slender and round shouldered with big watery eyes and a pale mustache. He wore full military dress, a thin sword at his side, his narrow chest covered with medals. Beside him on the raised dais stood a man with a long, dark beard. He wore priest's robes, but a gold double eagle was emblazoned on his chest. The Hadrian gave Alina's arm a gentle squeeze to warn her to stop.

General Kirigan with slight bow said"Your highness, moi tsar,Alina Starkov,another Sun Summoner."

A rush of murmurs came from the crowd.Alina wasn't sure if she should bow or curtsy. Ana Kuya had insisted that all the orphans know how to greet the Duke's few noble guests, but somehow, it didn't feel right to curtsy in army-issue trousers. The King saved Alina from making a blunder when he waved us forward impatiently saying"Come, come! Bring her to me."

They walked to the base of the dais. The King scrutinized Alina frowned, and his lower lip jutted out slightly and said"She's very plain."

Alina flushed and bit my tongue as she wanted to say the King wasn't much to look at either. He was practically chinless, and close up,she could see the broken blood vessels in his nose.