“Don’t blame your bodyguard,” Grimstad says. “He has good reason not to trust me and is doing his job. It’s late, so thank you for meeting with me.”
“You are here.” I wince at the inanity of that comment and try to clarify. “In Windgaard. And you were in Kirkstead and Breckenholt before that.”
Grimacing, Grimstad nods. “I know it looks questionable.”
“Hence the rules,” Elliot grumbles.
“But I assure you I have my own travel plans. If they coincide with yours, it means whoever planned your campaign knew the ideal path across Candora.”
That makes sense. Elliot will not like it, but I am choosing to trust Grimstad for now as I settle in the nearest chair, gesturing for Grimstadto do the same. “What is it you wanted to talk about so badly that you faced not only my brother but Mr. Reid as well?”
Grimstad smiles in a way that makes him look…nice. He is handsome in a way, yes, but mainly his countenance is an approachable one. “I like your brothers. I wish they would involve themselves more in the kingdom’s affairs, but I understand why they don’t. Government isn’t for everyone.”
“No, it is not,” I agree.
His gaze shifts to Elliot, his smile unchanged. “I like your new bodyguard as well, even if some people have questioned your decision to bring in an outsider.”
“Technically it was my mother’s decision.” I do not feel the need to tell him that I have come to approve of her choice. “Now, what is it you wanted to speak to me about?”
Clasping his hands on the table, Grimstad studies me for a moment. “I met up with an old friend tonight, and he said you were on his tour.”
Elliot swears behind me, mirroring the word that crossed through my mind. “Who was this friend?” he asks.
“Sig Halevik. Before you go thinking he’s causing trouble, he was delighted to have you along. But some of your questions stood out to him.”
With the way Mr. Halevik treated me the same as he did the other tourists with us, I thought for sure he was unaware of who I was and simply did his job by answering questions. Apparently he was paying more attention to me than I realized.
“Which questions?” I ask.
“Anything that had to do with your suitability for the throne.”
Heat blossoms on my cheeks. Throughout the tour, I told myself that I wanted to know more about Windgaard, and that was why I constantly interrupted Mr. Halevik’s presentation. But I kept asking questionsthat would give me a better idea of the people’s sentiments toward my situation rather than seeking historical facts. “I see I was not subtle.”
“I’m sure you were brilliantly subtle,” Grimstad argues with a shake of his head. “Halevik is simply more intelligent than people give him credit for.”
Who else will I underestimate on this campaign? “I still do not see why this required a conversation in the middle of the night,” I say somewhat brusquely. It is barely after ten, hardly the middle of the night, but this discussion has me on edge. I thought I had gained some ground, but perhaps my adventure today was merely another mistake.
Chuckling, Grimstad unclasps his hands and pulls them onto his lap, lowering his shoulders so he looks smaller. A calculated move on his part, I am sure, though I will not let him make me think anything but the truth when it comes to him. He is a dangerous opponent and currently threatens my entire way of life.
No, he is threatening the way of life for all of Candora.
“I know what you’re doing, Freya,” he says, his words soft.
“Her Highness,” Elliot growls.
“Your Highness,” Grimstad amends without any hint of irritation.
I narrow my eyes. “What am I doing?”
“Exactly the same as me. You’re trying to understand what your people need and how you can help them.” He does not say it as a flaw or an obstacle he must remove. He is simply stating fact.
“If I am?” I ask warily.
“Then I wish you all the best in your endeavors. This country needs change, and if you can bring it about, then…”
I barely dare to hope. “Then you will drop out of the running?”
He laughs, shoulders shaking as he gazes across the table at me. “I’m not letting you off that easily. I can also bring change, and if I’m what the people want, I think they should have that chance.”
