“Once I am king, I could make you my personal bodyguard.”
“I am already your personal bodyguard.”
Right.
“I think you should start a training program to teach others to be the Dýka. With the baby and all, we’re going to need more than one. Especially if we plan to have more kids.”
Vitki turned an interesting shade of green before slapping a hand over his mouth and racing back to the bathroom.
Yeah, maybe he should have kept that little bit to himself.
Before going into the bathroom to help Vitki, Ivo grabbed his cell phone and sent off a quick text to Stas, asking him to come to his rooms. By the time he heard a knock at the door, they were both dressed and in the living room. Vitki still looked a little pale, but he was moving around normally.
Vitki walked to the door. Ivo kept his smile to himself when Vitki pulled the edges of his collar up to hide the dragon ring and then opened the door. “Please, come in.”
Ivo waved to Stas when the man walked inside. “Hey, so, we need your help.”
“Of course, sire,” Stas replied. “How may I be of service?”
“I’ve decided to claim the throne, but I’m not sure how it’s done.”
“Well, a call is sent out to all dragons to return to the castle. It is required for all to attend, man, woman, and child. The ceremony is usually held in the throne room. Once everyone is assembled, a herald reads the leads, listing your family line with you as the last living royal heir.”
It was all Ivo could do to refrain from looking at Vitki. He was no longer the last living royal heir. Granted, the other one hadn’t been born yet, but still. There was another one.
“And then what?” Ivo asked.
“Once your lineage has been called out, you either claim the throne or abdicate it to the next eligible person.”
“And who would that be?”
“I’m afraid I don’t know. Maxmilián Vítkovský and your father were both only children, as you were. I would have to look at the royal genealogy records to pinpoint exactly who is next in line.”
“I don’t think that matters, as I am not abdicating.”
“Well, once you claim the throne, you are crowned, and then it is basically done except for the celebration. With everyone here, they are going to want to meet you. It is the one time commoners and gentry mingle freely.”
“It won’t be the last time. I’m doing away with the class system just as soon as I can figure out how to do it.”
“If I may be so bold, sire, you simply announce it and have it recorded in the record of laws. Your word is law. If you want something changed, you have that right.”
“Don’t people get to vote on it?”
“No.”
Well, hell.
“Guess this isn’t a democratic society, huh?”
“No, sir.”
“How long will it take to assemble everyone?” Ivo asked. “I want this done as soon as possible.”
“It usually takes months to accomplish everything, but we’ve been expecting your return for quite some time. Král Maxmilián prepared us before his death.”
Ivo slapped a hand over his face. In all the upheaval, he had totally spaced out Max. “We need to arrange the funeral for Max.”
“Of course, sire.”
