FIRST TRY
Maxence
Maxence inhaled, still stunned.
With the mass murder and Max’s kidnapping, Prince Jules had set the plot in motion to take the throne, and then his daughter, Marie-Therese, had double-crossed him.
It was all quite surreal.
Over a billion euros was at stake, yes, but the damage, the suffering, thedeaths.
It wasn’t worth it. What kind of a person would think that money was worth the murder and chaos of last night?
Maxence grieved.
And now, he had to begin to pick up the shattered pieces of Monaco.
His heartbeat thudded in his ears, but he folded his hands and gazed steadily at the crowd, his mind grinding through the options.
If he called for the arrest of Marie-Therese, Jules, and the others who had been complicit in treason, Maxence would look like the ringleader of a violent counter-coup. The citizens of Monaco would not know who to believe was the rightful sovereign.
But, not punishing coup conspirators always led to more attempts at insurrection, and more violent ones, until the traitors overthrew the lawful government. If the instigators are not punished, a failed coup becomes a practice run.
Every choice Max could think of would lead to anarchy.
His uncle’s words came back to him,Listen to what the people tell you.
Maxence announced, “As the acting sovereign of Monaco, I will direct the police to arrest Matryona Sokolov and Kir Sokolov. Any other arrests for the murders at the Sea Change Gala will be contingent upon their testimony and other evidence.”
Slowly and methodically, butsoon.
Murmurs scurried in the hushed room.
Maxence drew a deep breath in through his nose, holding himself upright and very straight. “The roll call vote will resume. The motion is whether I am to be disqualified from the line of succession because I am not present at this meeting. Ms. Clark, please continue to record the vote.”
A man’s voice called from the side of the room, “I object to the continuing of the roll call vote. According to our bylaws, the previous vote is binding.”
Alexandre stepped forward. “I object to your objection, Prince Louis. I called for a roll call vote at the correct time.I demand it now.”
Arguing broke out in patches amongst the crowd. Voices rose. Fingers began to wag.
Maxence rubbed his temple, shocked at the behavior of the nobles in the room. The Council of Nobles was supposed to be a civilized method of direct election, not a free-for-all like this.
Maxence nodded toward Alex. “Duc Alexandre de Valentinois made the legal motion for a roll call vote during the first round of voting. It should have been done then, but we are rectifying the situation now. Also, I remind you that you are implicated in this, Uncle Louis. Unless you are entirely innocent and this is all an unlikely misunderstanding,I would advise you don’t say anything else that might incriminate you.”
Louis Grimaldi looked at his phone, looked back up at Maxence, and looked back at his phone again as he stepped backward.
As well he should.
Maxence announced to the crowd, “We will now continue with the roll call vote.”
Thirty more voices stated their titles and names and voted, “Nay.”
And with that, Maxence was reinstated as the heir apparent to the throne of Monaco.
He nearly sagged with relief, but that wouldn’t do for such an occasion.
And the election wasn’t over.
