QUEEN’S GARDEN, BUCKINGHAM PALACE, LONDON
T he Queen wouldn’t tell Margaret her new plan, and she enjoyed how it drove the Duchess crazy.
“Tell me, Margaret. Aren’t the world’s presidents having a meeting in the United Nations Office at Geneva?”
“Yes, tomorrow afternoon. Why?”
“I want to attend it.”
“But you declined the invitation earlier.”
“That was when I was concerned with stopping Carolus from ending the world.”
“What’s changed? His plague is still going to end the world. We haven’t found a cure.”
“You won’t understand, Margaret. You know why? Because you’re ugly.”
“It’s dumb people who usually don’t understand.” Margaret folded her arms.
The Queen knew how much Margaret hated her but couldn’t oppose her, not before they found the keys. She enjoyed such suppression a lot, even better than painting white roses red.
“Well, then we’re about to change that,” the Queen said. “Once this plague is over, teachers should tell students that it’s ugly people who don’t understand, and that dumb people only look horrible. Now back to what I was saying.”
“All ears, My Queen.”
“Get me on a plane to Geneva to meet up with the presidents of the world tomorrow. Remind me, what was the meeting about?”
“The plague, of course.” Margaret sighed. “The world’s only concern at the moment. They’re looking for a solution.”
“Of course, I knew that, Margaret. Did you think I was dumb—I mean ugly like you?” The Queen grinned.
“And what about Carolus, if I may ask?”
“He’s coming with me.” The Queen prided herself. “Those presidents of the world have no idea what I have prepared for them. It’s so amazing I feel taller already!”