“I think we should enact your plan early, Alexander,” Gabriel said. “Make the Council positions public and electable ones.”
Alex shook his head. “I did think about that, Papa, but you’d get the brunt of the hate, and I’d still have to deal with it later. I do agree we should do something. What about making their salaries and other information public? That we could do in a few months, after we’veshifted Nate and Marcello’s positions, and that could distract the Council until after the coronation.”
“Do you want to leak it?” Nate asked.
“No. We’ll be upfront about it, or Papa will when he announces it. Even though your two positions won’t qualify, we’ll still share the information for transparency.”
Marcello gave a terrifying smile. “I can’t wait to see what those assholes do once they see the disparities in pay.”
Gabriel huffed a laugh. “I think it’ll be more shocking when the public sees you and Nathaniel only receive one dollar in pay per month, and you donate that to charity, effectively doing the job for free.”
“We wouldn’t take the dollar if we weren’t legally required to take some monetary salary,” Nate added, and Marcello nodded. “We have plenty of our own funds and don’t need a palace salary.”
“Dinner is served, Your Majesty,” the butler announced.
Once they were settled in the dining room, conversation turned towards the coronation.
Alex shook his head. “You’re not all going to bow and curtsy one-by-one. It would take forever.”
“It’s not like we’re looking forward to it either, brother dear, but it must be done,” Nate said. “Though I’d prefer to do it by couple or family at least so I can be there with Charlotte.”
Charlie nodded. “Charles will also still be pretty young so, depending on how long the ceremony lasts, I’ll need to come back for a feeding.”
“And I’d rather not leave Liliana to curtsy on her own,” Lorenzo said, Lily nodding beside him.
Liliana leaned over and grabbed her father’s arm. “I can do it, Papa!”
“I know you can, but we should do it as a family.”
Rebecca tilted her head. “Hmmm. Even in families, it would take time. Maybe there should be just one big bow and curtsy at the end.”
“It would certainly save time, and be less…pomp,” Alex agreed.
Genevieve shook her head. “That could work for everyone else, but your father and I will l need to bow and curtsy before you and Rebecca. Though we could do it together.”
“Let’s see how I feel closer to the day,” Gabriel said. “Though that may be the best solution.”
“What about me?” Anda asked. “Should I sit separately from all of you since I’m not technically part of the family?”
“The hell you aren’t,” Ethan replied with a bite of anger. “Who said you aren’t family?”
“Language, Ethan.”
“Sorry, Mama. But if one of my idiot brothers said something?—”
“No one said anything,” Anda said, soothing Ethan by taking his hand and giving it a kiss. “But the public might wonder if I’m there with the rest of you.”
“Then they’ll be wondering about me too,” Lily added.
Eddie raised a hand. “And me.”
Rio nodded. “And me.”
“Things are different with you three. At least you’re all engaged to your partners.” Genevieve gave Ethan a pointed look.
Ethan rolled his eyes. “You don’t need to be married to be in a committed relationship. We’ll get engaged if or whenwe’reready, not when you or the public think we should. And,” he continued as his mother opened her mouth to speak. “She’ll sit beside me, where she belongs.”
“Some on the Council might feel that?—”
