She strode across the throne room toward Maxence and Marie-Therese.
Chapter Twenty-One
PRINCESS MARIE-THERESE
Maxence
Near the dais, arguments broke out among the electors. Accusations of betrayal were thrown between friends and family members with rancor.
Prince Maxence Grimaldi watched his chance at the throne slip away.
He could leave Monaco forever.
Heshouldturn on his heel and walk right out of that throne room, free to marry Dree or take Holy Orders or change the world with his charity projects.
Thiswas what he’d always wanted.
This,right here.
But Marie-Therese would rule as a puppet for her father, Prince Jules, rubber-stamping his racist agenda and kleptocratic policies. She was vapid, morally bankrupt, with no scruples. Either they had planned this to rule together, or Jules would manipulate her, or she would party and graft her way to Monaco’s ruin.
The two of them would destroy Monaco and walk away with its wealth in their bank accounts.
Dammit, it should have beenanybodyother than Prince Jules or Lady Marie-Therese.
“Who the hell defected from your coalition?” he asked Alexandre. “I thought we had our votes tied up.”
Alex growled, “A few of my young guys fell off, but half of the nobles you assured me would stand with us voted for your disqualification as soon as Jules made the motion.”
Max glared at the crowd around them. “Something is going on.”
“Marie-Therese and Great Uncle Louis Grimaldi voted to disqualify you, among others. Amongmanyothers. It’s obvious now why Marie-Therese voted that way if she knew she was about to be nominated and elected, but Great Uncle Louis should have stuck with us. Not to mention Matheo, Ethan, and Nathan, and a half dozen more who said they’d vote for our candidate.”
Max shook his head, trying to make sense of it. “They were all ready to vote for Nico. He was going to take it in the first round. We should’ve been out of here in under an hour.”
Alexandre grimaced. “I don’t know how much you’ve heard about the casualties at the Sea Change Gala last night, but Nico didn’t make it. I’m sorry.”
“I heard.” Maxence cleared his throat, which had snapped shut.“And I saw.But they shouldn’t have changed their votes. They still should have voted for ourcandidate.”
“Butyouweren’t here.”
“I’m aware of that, but it shouldn’t have mattered. Everyone knows I will not accept a nomination or an election. I’ve made it abundantly clear.”
“Have you?” Alexandre asked, tilting his head.
“Yes.Of course, I have.”
“You’ve been working in the Prince’s office every day.”
“That’s where you do the country’s business.”
“And you’ve hosted the galas and receptions.”
“Those events were booked months or years ago. Someone needed to step into the role as the representative of the royal family.”
“You did it all splendidly. You’re quite popular.”
Maxence brushed the air to flick away Alex’s argument. “Monaco needed a caretaker, and so I stepped into the role. I made sure the olive oil flowed.”
