I didn’t like where she was going with this. “Yes…?”
“The thing is, I don’t want to anymore.”
My head dropped and I groaned. “For Shidteus’s sake. Someone has to take it.”
“Hear me out. Ever since I started interning at your company, I realized I love business. I love the hustle and bustle of the office, and making decisions that won’t impact a whole country, and being able to work without the high level of politics involved. I love being in your company and working. It’s made me realize I would hate being queen. No one supports me here, no one’s tried to curry favor with me—not like they have with you and Royce. If I did somehow ascend the throne, I would constantly have to battle to prove my worth. It would just be a headache. It’s not worth it to me.”
I ran both hands into my hair and gripped it. Hard enough to hurt. “Heleeeeeena.”
“Sorry. It’s the truth, though. But after everything I’ve seen over the past few months, I think it’s really quite clear. You should be king.”
Royce thrust a hand into the air. “Seconded!”
Vuheia smite it, what the hell?! Why were they being so difficult? They were the ones born into the line of succession!
Edwin lifted a hand, an apology in his eyes. “Thirded.”
Betrayal burned through me. I’d hated being king. Hated it with every fiber of my being because it had cost me everything. I pictured putting the crown back on my head and swallowed down the bile attempting to rise. I couldn’t believe Edwin, of all people, would say such a thing to me. He knew everything, after all! I protested immediately. “Edwin! You know I loathe the idea.”
“I know. Sorry. I realize it’s not something you want again, but there’s a few reasons I think you should.”
Part of me wanted to shut him down, but I was wise enough to know better. If Edwin had reasons for something, they were usually on point. I’d be a fool to not hear him out, at the very least.
Even if I’d rather be thrown into the sea than take the throne again.
“First, I’ve read through your notebook too many times to count, and while I’m sure you can do some of your Tasks as a prince, you can’t do all. To replicate the same victories that won you Paradise in your last life, I believe you’ll need the power and authority of a king.”
“Surely with the cooperation of a sibling, I can still get them done.”
He made a noncommittal hum. “My second reason is, while you’ve made great arguments about putting Helena on the throne, you’ve not actually convinced anyone. Do you realize we get petitions—daily—from the citizens stating they want you as king?”
I flopped back in my chair, staring at the ceiling. The ceiling, at least, wasn’t being an ass.
“James, youcare.” Edwin’s voice was gentle, soft. “It’s been such a long time since the country had a leader who did. I do not doubt Princess Helena would do a good job—”
“Why, thank you, Edwin.”
“—but it’s also not her passion. When someone puts their heart behind it, the work is done so much better. You love leading people. You’re exceptional at it. People all around you have observed this, and they want you as their king. Honestly, I agree with them.”
I eyed him belligerently. My frustration was so great, I might sleep on the sofa tonight. Frankly, I was past the point of caring if this would be for the greater good. The greater good could be shoved where the sun didn’t shine and then rotated. I was not doing this again. NO. I didn’t care what I was offered, what the punishment was, I wasn’t doing it.
“Dearest.” Edwin softened his tone further, placing a hand on my arm. “I know being on the throne was traumatic in the worst of ways, but I don’t believe it will be the same this time. For one thing, you won’t be forced to marry that woman.”
Just mentioning her made me quiver on the inside and sent my already unsettled stomach to roiling. I did take his point, though. “You really think I could avoid her?”
“I’ll put a stop to it,” Helena promised me, smile hungry for blood. “Royce will help.”
“Damn straight I will.”
“He’s right in that we’ll have your back,” Helena promised, still with an eerie smile. “We didn’t in your first life, from what you said, but we will this time. No political marriages for you. If anyone even suggests you marry someone aside from Edwin, I’ll have their liver.”
She was so ferocious in this oath, my lips twitched into a reluctant smile. “I’ll hold you to it.”
“I know you will. You helped me avoid trauma, James. I’ll do the same for you. But I agree with Edwin, sorry. I really think you should be king.”
“I’d like to point out,” I said to the air, “that I can’t. You remember, right? I put a clause into my adoption so theycan’tmake me king?”
Royce shook his head before I finished speaking. “It won’t stop our parents, you know this.”
