Beatrice flinched, eyes anywhere but up. “I realize I made an error with Helena’s match, but—”
“It’s not just Helena’s match you bumbled. You did the same for Royce. Victor went through three engagements, two of them only a month apart, and two of those three were canceled because of something the brides did. You made matches for some of your ladies-in-waiting and every single one of those matches ended in a divorce. Out of the fourteen matches you’ve had your hand in, fourteen of them have failed. You’re literally zero on the tally. Why you keep trying at something you clearlyhave no talent for is insanity. Either way, you will not take on the role, and I do not give you the power over me. I have itin writingthat you cannot even suggest a spouse to me.”
“Not even Helena?” Beatrice all of a sudden looked cocky, like she had me.
I stared at her, my mind suddenly detached from the circus I’d been pulled into. Did she not remember the clause I’d put into my adoption contract was partly toavoidmarrying Helena?
Beatrice seemed to think she’d perfectly executed agotchamoment because she beamed. “If you could marry Helena, then it would be a different matter, am I right? I know you were worried about that when you first came in, but you’ve gotten to know her now, and you’re quite close with her. You’ve taken her under your wing for a reason, training her to be a good wife for you, so I know I’m right.”
All I had done to help my sister was because of that foolhardy reason? The disgust that swamped me made me so nauseous I regretted ever eating this morning. How could anyone look at Helena and not see her true worth? How dare Beatrice even think I looked at Helena with such lecherous intentions?!
I leaned farther in, my face a foot from hers, and in the foulest language I could dredge up against a woman, I let my feelings bare. “Listen, you beslubbering, beetle-headed moldwrap, I do not have incestuous feelings for myown godsdamn sister.”
She pressed her back into the chair, shaking, eyes wide with terror.
Good.
“I realize you’re insatiable when it comes to stupidity—you certainly eat enough shit and wallow in it—but I draw the line here. You willnotmess with my personal life. Not in any way. You willnottouch Edwin or Helena or Royce. Why?Because they are mine to protect.”
Her breath shook, hands twisting into her dressing gown, and I could feel everyone else in the room stir, not sure if they should intervene and pull me out of here.
“I-I was just—”
“You can fucking stop.” I cut through her excuse without remorse. “Beatrice, your plans are always all ass and no forehead. You don’t ever think things through. It’s why the rest of us don’t trust your judgement.Helena? You want me to marry my own fucking sister? Did you completely forget I’m gay?”
“That’s enough!” Beatrice pushed herself back upright, color high in her cheeks. “I am still your queen! If you want to remain prince, then you’ll show me respect and allow my order to go through!”
“No, Beatrice. That’s not how this works. If you want me to remain prince, you’ll respect the boundary I’ve set.”
Her jaw dropped, the disbelief clear in her expression.
“Remember this: I didn’t want to be prince to begin with. I was talked into it. My plan B is walking out of here completely, putting myself into exile, and never having to deal with you or politics again. Right now, you’re making plan B very, very alluring. Is that what you want?”
“You’d really walk out of here?” Her disbelief hung in the air, palpable. “You’d give up being prince?”
“Right now? In a heartbeat. Only the weight of the many people counting upon me is staying my hand. Remember that the next time you get another one of your so-called bright ideas. It isn’t wanted, and you’re already dancing on thin ice. I don’t have much patience for anything else you try, because I’m tired of cleaning up your messes.” I finally straightened and found some equilibrium. “Do not try this again. Zinos help you, you won’t like my response if you do.”
Turning sharply on a heel, I took myself out. Captain Rowan was again on my heels and seemed relieved the altercation hadn’t come to blows.
I’d never struck a woman, but Vuheia strengthen me, Beatrice tried my patience sometimes.
“It’s clear where Victor gets it from,” I growled under my breath as I moved.
“In terms of what? Entitlement, stupidity…?”
“All of the above.”
Captain Rowan was silent for a time before asking, “Do you really have a plan B?”
“When do I not have one?”
“Fair point. It’s just…the idea of you leaving rather terrifies me. So many of the projects bettering this country are under your control. If you left, who would take them up again?”
No one. That was the problem. No one would be willing. Helena would honor them, but no one would allow her to do so. She didn’t have any political weight in the court. That stayed my hand more than anything.
But it might come down to me selfishly putting myself first.
Forty-nine
