Ходячий замок
Chapter 13
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Itwaslikeabaddream,Sophiethoughtasshewentintothesamelargeroom.SheseemedtohavenochoicebuttoblackenHowl’snameagain.Thetroublewas,whatwithallthathadhappened,andstagefrightagainintothebargain,hermidwasblankerthanever.TheKing,thistime,wasstandingatalargedeskinonecorner,ratheranxiouslymovingflagsaboutonamap.Helookedupandsaidpleasantly,“Theytellmetherewassomethingyouforgottosay.”
“Yes,”saidSophie.“Howlsayshe’llonlylookforPrinceJustinifyoupromisehimyourdaughter’shandinmarriage.”Whatputthatintomyhead?shethought.He’llhaveusbothexecuted!
TheKinggaveheraconcernedlook.“Mrs.Pendragon,youmustknowthat’soutofthequestion,”hesaid.“Icanseeyoumustbeveryworriedaboutyoursontosuggestit,butyoucan’tkeephimtiedtoyourapronstringsforever,youknow,andmymindismadeup.Pleasecomeandsitinthischair.Youseemtired.”
SophietotteredtothelowchairtheKingpointedtoandsankintoit,wonderingwhentheguardswouldarrivetoarresther.
TheKinglookedvaguelyaround.“Mydaughterwasherejustnow,”hesaid.ToSophie’sconsiderablesurprise,hebentdownandlookedunderthedesk.“Valeria,”hecalled.“Vallie,comeonout.Thisway,there’sagoodgirl.”
Therewasashufflingnoise.Afterasecond,PrincessValeriashuntedherselfoutfromunderthedeskinsittingposition,grinningbenignly.Shehadfourteeth.Butshewasnotoldenoughtohavegrownaproperheadofhair
