I faltered. “James has said he wants to make me co-ruler, but I don’t…I don’t know? I do not want to be consort in some ways, as that will limit how much I can help him, and I don’t want to leave the full burden of ruling on James. But I wasn’t educated on how to be king—”
Ramsey snorted. “My young monarch, you spent fifteen years learning how the palace operates from the ground up. You are more qualified than Queen Beatrice was when she first took the throne.”
If anyone would know, this man would. “How bad were those early days?”
“Bad. It’s why her role was whittled down to what she now does. Or used to do, I should say. Hosting alone was not the proper role of queen before. It was adjusted to what she could reliably handle.”
Well, that said a lot, didn’t it?
Ramsey softened a little and leaned in, a small smile gracing his face. “Edwin, if I could handpick a man to rule this country, it wouldn’t be anyone from the royal family, not even King James. I’d pick you. King James is formidable and does a good job, but you understand the nuts and bolts of how a country is run. Because you’re a commoner by blood, people will more readily turn to you for help. They’re not going to be as intimidated. Those outside the palace who don’t know you might not understand why King James chose you as his co-ruler. But those of us who do know you understand it perfectly. Do not second-guess yourself. You are far more qualified than any monarch who has come before you.”
My eyes grew misty. I hadn’t known he thought so highly of me and respected me this much. He’d touched my heart. I respected Ramsey a great deal, and he’d been a mentor as I’d grown into my role as a palace secretary, so if he had faith in me, then I should believe in myself.
Silly doubts, you needed to leave. I had things to do and no time to doubt myself.
“You said what I needed to hear. Thank you, Ramsey. I suppose I felt overwhelmed.”
“By rights, you should be. Not everyone is married and made king in the same hour!”
I released a pained laugh. “Yes, quite. Well, what will you do now your charge has retired?”
“Retire,” he answered bluntly. Pulling an envelope from his pocket, he handed it to me. “In fact, I came in part to give my resignation. It’s long overdue.”
“Indeed, so it is, but I’m still very sorry to see you go.”
“Thank you. I still want to attend your coronation.”
“I’ll make sure you have the best seat,” I promised him. “Will you leave by end of next week as well? I assume you want to stay long enough to transfer the work.”
“I will.”
The door opened again, and this time it was James and Knight Commander Harland who strode in. James spied Ramsey and greeted him warmly.
“Hello, Ramsey. I trust you’re here for a good reason? Not because something untoward has happened?”
“I’m tendering my resignation,” he explained.
“Ah. Well, I can’t say I’m surprised, but I am sorry to see you go.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty. I do wish to attend the coronation.”
“I’ve promised him the best seat,” I threw in.
“As you should.” James extended his hand, shaking Ramsey’s. “Thank you for your service. I know it wasn’t easy.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty. Also, I must relay that everyone who has heard the news of your marriage and ascension to the throne cheered. Many people have volunteered to be your new staff. And King Edwin’s, of course. I will spend the rest of the week transferring things over to your office, as well as anything that needs to be dealt with, and am happy to reorganize the staff before I go.”
“I will happily take your assistance.”
Commander Harland came closer to my desk and asked, “Do you have specific knights you like?”
For a full second, his question sounded nonsensical to me. Why did it matter if I had knights I liked? Then it hit me—I was a monarch now. Consort or king, didn’t matter, I had to be protected.
Which meant I now had my own knights.
Or would, once I picked them out.
“You’ll need at least a dozen,” James said.
