Chapter Forty-Five
Clare's POV -King's Judgment
The tension in the street had not disappeared after my argument with the Queen.
Women from Wilson still stood behind me, whispering nervously among themselves.
Then another royal carriage arrived.
The murmurs grew louder.
"The King…"
The door opened, and the King of Wilson stepped out calmly.
Unlike the Queen, his expression was thoughtful rather than angry.
He looked around the crowded street—at the women, at the guards, and finally at me.
"So," he said slowly.
"This is the matter causing chaos across my kingdom."
The Queen turned toward him immediately.
"These women abandoned their homes because of this girl's rebellion."
The King raised a hand gently.
"Let us hear the matter properly."
His gaze moved to me.
"You are Clare, correct?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"You encouraged the women of Wilson to leave?"
I took a breath.
"I encouraged them to study."
The King glanced at the Queen.
"My dear," he said calmly, "many neighboring countries allow women to study law."
"That does not mean Wilson must follow them," the Queen replied sharply.
The King folded his hands behind his back.
"Perhaps."
Then he looked at both of us.
"Let us hear justification from both sides."
The Queen stepped forward confidently.
"This girl has interfered with royal authority," she said. "She studies in France, yet she challenges the laws of Wilson."
Her eyes turned toward me.
"If you are studying in France," she said coldly, "why are you concerned about Wilson's laws?"
For a moment… I stayed silent.
Her question was not wrong.
But the women behind me waited for my answer.
Then an idea formed in my mind.
I lifted my head.
"Your Majesty," I said to the King.
"If I wished to study law in Wilson… would the Queen allow it?"
The Queen frowned.
The King looked at me with surprise.
Then suddenly he laughed softly.
"A clever argument."
He nodded thoughtfully.
"A good lawyer always speaks for justice."
His eyes sparkled with amusement.
"You may go very far, Clare."
The Queen's patience finally broke.
"This is ridiculous!" she snapped. "She is only a student!"
But after a moment, she forced herself to calm down.
They were not in Wilson.
They were in France.
Her authority here was limited.
Finally she spoke again, her voice controlled.
"Very well."
Everyone became quiet.
"I will cancel the law banning women from studying law."
A small wave of hope spread through the crowd.
But the Queen raised a finger.
"On one condition."
Her eyes locked onto mine.
"You will come to Wilson and study law there."
The street fell silent again.
The King raised an eyebrow.
The Queen continued calmly.
"If you care so much about Wilson's laws…"
"Then you will study law in Wilson itself."
I understood immediately.
This was not just a condition.
It was a challenge.
And the Queen had just moved the battle from France…
back to her own kingdom.
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