Chapter 3There was a big crowd outside the Palace, but as Xenia waved to them she realised that perhaps only one in three was responding.
The rest, who were mostly men, stood with their arms crossed and a surly expression on their faces.
She wanted to ask the King what was wrong with them, but she knew that she would not make her voice heard and the next moment they had entered the gold-tipped gates guarded by soldiers.
There seemed to be an unnecessary amount of them at the gates and in the courtyard, besides being stationed up the long flight of steps leading to the front door.
They looked very smart in their red tunics and dark blue trousers and the Officers with gold epaulettes on their shoulders and wearing their medals were most impressive.
Xenia and the King walked up the red-c
