“Not anymore, remember? You were stripped of the name and titles.”
“You—” He sucked in a breath, seemingly to steady himself. “You can’t just make that man king, though. Our parents won’t allow it.”
“Your parents signed over all rights and power to me. They can squawk all they want, but they can’t do shit. Judge Galbraith signed off on Edwin being king as well. It’s not a matter ofI can’t make Edwin a monarch—he already is.”
I saw my words hit and then trickle through the rest of his alcohol-addled mind. It took a minute. Then he went very, very white.
All the fight seemed to drain out of him. His next words came out in a whisper. “They signed everything over to you?”
“All of it.”
“I… Why?”
“Because it was the only way I’d agree to be king.”
He seemed on the verge of tears. “They were willing to give up all power just to get you on the throne?”
I didn’t answer, as it was obvious enough and the final blow to his pride. Here Victor had been clawing at every opportunity to be named king, only to be denied and rejected, again and again. Facing off with the man his parents had practically begged to take the throne must be like a slap in the face.
With him so down like this, I might have an opportunity to possibly talk sense into him. Wild concept, I knew, but my gut said it might work.
“Victor, your parents are divorcing. Will be divorced by the end of today, in fact.”
It was like delivering a swift kick to a man already in the fetal position. Seriously, I felt like I was abusing him. Clearly, no one had informed him of much of anything. How had he even learned I was now king? Palace gossip? Likely the case. I hadn’t gotten around to dealing with him yet, that’d been on tomorrow’s do-list, but since he was here, I might as well address it.
“After the divorce is finalized, they’ll go their separate ways, to locations of their choosing. I’ll offer you the same deal they made with you, with some adjustments and caveats. You’re going into exile one way or another. At bare minimum, you are exiled from the capital. You can choose your vacation house—a folly, one of the manor houses, whatever—and I will deed it over to you. You may have it fully staffed with a set budget for the rest of your life. Or you can take one lump sum and live anywhere you like but never enter this country again. The caveat is we don’t know how Ascor is going to handle you absconding with their princess. If they demand you are imprisoned, I will comply. If they demand you marry her, you’ll be shipped to Ascor and banned from Zuskal. Lenville arrives today in Ascor, so hopefully we’ll hear their demands soon. If you go to them,you’ll be entirely at their mercy. Also, no matter what you do, Valentina has to leave as well, as she’s here without permission or escort. What say you?”
He came close enough to put both hands on the edge of my desk, leaning heavily as if the weight of this decision was too much to be borne without support. For a long moment, he didn’t say anything, his eyes on the floor and his head down so much I couldn’t see his expression.
Finally, he acquiesced with a small nod. “I’ll take the manor house. You must also pay off my debts.”
They weren’t small, so that was a considerable ask, but the debtors did have to be paid one way or another. They’d come after him once he left, so while some part of me winced, I agreed. “Fine. Do you have a location in mind?”
Another long pause before he finally lifted his head to look at me. “Did Father choose Baedcove?”
“He did not.” Baedcove Mansion was much farther south of here, practically on our southern border and right next to both a touristy city and a beach. It was a favorite vacation spot for the beach alone. I could always get another beach house. Frankly, if giving Victor this one victory was enough to get him to sign, then so be it. “Baedcove, thirty thousand gold a month, and fully staffed. Plus your debts here paid off.”
“Fine. Fine, I’ll sign. I…” He didn’t seem to know what else to say.
“I’ll deliver the agreement to your room before the end of the day. Keep in mind, it is provisional upon Ascor’s demands. Either way, start packing. And a list of your debts would not be amiss.”
“I’ll have my retainer give it to you.” Victor fully straightened and stared at me for a long moment. “I hate you. You know that.”
“I do.” The feeling wasn’t mutual because I rarely hated anyone. Well, I did Valentina, but she’d more than earned it. Victor had always been a stupid annoyance.
He snorted, no humor in the sound, just self-mockery. “I guess you won.”
“It wasn’t a competition, Victor. I didn’t want the throne.”
“But you still got it.” Victor shook his head and stumbled out, and unless my ears deceived me, a soft sob escaped his throat. He likely felt his world was collapsing in on him. I could only shake my head. He’d fucked everything up on his own; it wasn’t like anyone had done this to him.
Besides, many a person in this world would give their eyeteeth to have his bargain. A fully staffed house with a padded budget for the rest of your life? Just for breathing? They’d give more than their eyeteeth. And here he was, heartbroken.
That one was truly past saving.
Also, I felt like he’d capitulated too quickly. I didn’t trust it. I turned, motioning toward Stedman. “I need you to do two things.”
“Of course, Your Majesty.” He popped up and crossed to my desk.
