Chapter Thirty-Nine
Clare's POV — A Decision in the Snow
The palace gates closed behind me as I stepped back into the quiet streets of Wilson.
Snow had begun falling again, covering the stone roads with a soft white layer. The winter air felt colder than usual, but my mind was still busy thinking about everything that had happened inside the royal court.
The King had listened to my suggestion.
The case between the three brothers had been solved.
And then I had sung before the entire hall.
It still felt strange to think about.
But the Queen's expression before I left the palace stayed in my mind the most.
Cold.
Unpleasant.
Almost as if my presence itself had irritated her.
I shook the thought away and walked toward the town square.
Instead of going home immediately, I decided to visit a few old friends first. It had been months since I had last seen them.
The small café near the square was warm and lively despite the winter cold outside.
"Clare!"
Several familiar faces turned toward me the moment I stepped inside.
"You're finally back!"
I laughed as they pulled me to their table.
We spoke about everything—school memories, winter festivals, and how different life felt after leaving Wilson.
For a short while, the conversation felt light and joyful.
But then one of them sighed quietly.
"You're lucky you're studying in France."
I frowned slightly.
"Why would you say that?"
Another girl leaned forward.
"Because women here can't study law anymore."
My smile disappeared.
"What do you mean?"
"The Queen issued an order," she explained.
"Women are no longer allowed to study law in Wilson."
For a moment I thought she was joking.
"That can't be real."
But their expressions were serious.
"It happened last month," another friend said.
"The royal court approved it."
The table fell silent.
I felt something heavy settle in my chest.
All the nights I had spent studying.
All the dreams I had for the future.
And now someone had decided women didn't deserve the same chance.
I stood up slowly.
"I should go home."
My friends watched me leave, unsure of what to say.
The streets of Wilson felt much quieter as I walked back toward my house.
Snow continued falling softly around me.
When I reached home, my mother was sitting near the fireplace, reading quietly.
She looked up and smiled.
"You're back early."
I removed my coat slowly and sat across from her.
"Mother… is it true?"
She looked confused.
"What is?"
"That women are not allowed to study law anymore."
Her expression changed immediately.
So it was true.
She sighed softly.
"Yes. The Queen signed the order."
"Why?"
"No one really knows."
The room grew quiet.
The fire crackled softly between us.
Finally my mother spoke again.
"You're lucky you study in France."
I looked at her.
The same words my friends had said earlier.
"Mother," I said slowly, "what if more women could study there too?"
She raised an eyebrow.
"In France?"
"Yes."
The idea had been forming in my mind since I left the café.
"What if the women of Wilson left?"
My mother stared at me.
"All of them?"
"If the Queen believes women don't need education," I said quietly, "then the kingdom should see what life is like without women."
She didn't answer immediately.
Instead she studied my face carefully.
Then she gave a small smile.
"That would certainly make them notice."
I stood up and walked to the window.
Outside, snow covered the sleeping town.
"France allows women to study law," I said.
"So we go there."
My mother finally closed her book.
"And when will this happen?"
I turned back toward her.
"Tonight."
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