“Ramsey, apologies for waking you up this early.”
He held up a hand to stay me. “I was already up, Your Highness. No one got much sleep last night, including you, it seems.”
“Heh. You’re not wrong. Tea, muffins?”
“I’ll take both with thanks.” He sat and served himself, but his eyes were on me. “Your Highness, I think it best if this is a blunt conversation.”
“I don’t have any energy in me to decode political speak, so please.”
“King Patrick islivid. This is, by far, the worst thing Lord Victor has ever done—politically speaking—and the quagmire it’s landed us in might well become a bomb if not handled right. Worse, he’s wholly unapologetic and seems to think becoming engaged to Princess Valentina has landed him back in good graces.”
I stared at Ramsey and felt my common sense break a little. I’d suspected Victor would think something of the sort, but I still didn’t see the logic. “I’m sorry, how does that even make sense?”
“His parents have lectured him so many times on making commitments and following through with them, and also on making the right political alliances—I honestly think he was trying to please them by choosing her as a wife.”
“By seducing a girl not yet of age and dragging her here without even a proper betrothal agreement? When he’s already in trouble for underage partners and has been exiled?”
“Yes, precisely what Queen Beatrice said. From the look on his face, Lord Victor was wholly surprised she wasn’t happy with him.”
I slumped farther into my chair. “I swear to any god listening, he has the intelligence level of cabbage water.”
Ramsey choked on his tea, laughing.
“Sorry, old man, poorly timed.”
He waved that off, still laughing. “You’re not wrong.”
“At least his stupidity isn’t catching. I have to take what silver linings I can. Ramsey, was it King Patrick’s intention last night during the announcement to declare me crown prince?”
“Caught that, did you? Yes. I am sorry I didn’t give you more of a heads-up. I myself didn’t realize their plan until some ten minutes before their entrance.”
“Shit.” I sighed, dropping my head into my hand. “It’s like they can’t hear what I’m saying to them.”
“This gets worse,” Ramsey warned. “They fully intend on making you crown prince still, something they told Lord Victor last night. He was both horrified and livid. I think he expected to make a triumphant return with Princess Valentina on his arm, but hearing he’d instead screwed up—again—and his position was forever lost to him, with no ability to reclaim his place in the royal family? He threw the worst tantrum I’ve ever seen. He’s been locked into his rooms for the rest of the week until his parents can decide what to do with him.”
“I’m not surprised.” I had a feeling Ramsey was leading up to something else, though.
“After Victor was carted away, Queen Beatrice suggested to King Patrick that they transfer the engagement over to you.”
I slumped farther and wished I’d awoken Edwin after all. I needed his steadying presence. I wanted to cry, throw a fit, and possibly escape. My plan B was looking like the only ray of hope right now. Only Edwin and my duty to my people kept me seated, but it was a damn near thing. Bile rose in my throat, so hard and heavy I had to drain the rest of my tea to clear mythroat enough to speak. The muffins I’d just eaten now sat like lead and I wished I’d not eaten them.
“I personally don’t think it wise,” Ramsey tacked on, “and said as much when asked for my opinion. Not only would they be marrying you to a young teenager, but she also thought it a good idea to make such a journey here, without any guarantee of a welcome. This tells me what her judgement is like. She wouldn’t make a good queen.”
No, she’d make a fucking horrible one, which I knew. “Godsdammit, please tell me King Patrick wasn’t agreeable.”
“He seemed quite torn on the whole matter. He wants to avoid the backlash and political mess of the engagement but isn’t sure how to gracefully extract himself. We’re not even sure if her parents know she is here, so really, his first step is to verify matters. He seems to see you as some sort of sacrificial offering in the name of political peace.”
“I see the problem, but I’m not going to be the sacrifice in order to rescue Victor from his mistakes.”
“Nor do I think you should. It’s neither fair nor wise. I do not think the young woman a proper candidate for your spouse and”—Ramsey’s eyes cut to the closed door, as if indicating the bedroom beyond—“frankly, Edwin is a far superior choice. Even if you fall, he’ll manage this country swimmingly.”
For the first time this morning, a genuine smile lit up my face. Finally! Someone who agreed with me. “He would. It’s not even in question.”
“No, it is not. The more we see Edwin in action, the more everyone who works here agrees with that assessment. The younger ones keep referring to you as apower couple.” Ramsey sipped his tea, eyes amused but also steady on mine. “I know you do not want the throne, Your Highness. You’ve said it often enough I believe you. But this old man would feel better if you and Edwin were on the throne. I could retire peacefully then.”
“I’m not saying you’re wrong, but…” I blew out a gusty sigh, not sure how to explain it without explaining absolutely everything. “Right now, taking the position of crown prince feels like a method to fix all the parenting mistakes that created Victor in the first place. And I’m loath to do so.”
“I quite understand. All said, my advice is this: Marry Edwin before they can force you to marry the foolish child.”
