She sank back into her chair, huffing a breath. “I’m so relieved. Thank you. That’s precisely the point I’ve argued and failed to get across to Mother.”
“I heard this man is the son of her friend?”
“Yes, you’re correct. Mother’s wrapped up in the romance of it all, tying our families together by marriage so she’ll be related to her friend. She completely ignores the fact that he’s a fucking idiot.”
I’d never heard Helena swear and was immediately charmed. She wasn’t holding anything back now. “I was warned about him before the adoption and have in fact been researching him on my own. I’ve found some truly disturbing things, starting with him having multiple bastard children.”
Helena nearly dropped her glass. “He what?!”
“Didn’t know that, I see? I’ll give you the report so you can read it later, but he’s got at least three kids, the youngest being about six months old. Lord Gillespie is also incredibly gullible and, I believe, in cahoots with Victor in all the wrong ways. It’s why I’m very, very glad you are actively trying to break the engagement. I will do everything I can to help, and quickly. You do not deserve to suffer because Mother has Ideas.”
“I agree completely. I’m not naïve, I know I’ll be saddled with a political marriage, but I refuse to marry such garbage.”
“Quite honestly, I don’t believe in political marriages. They usually end with mistakes.”
Royce blinked at me from behind his glasses. “What a refreshing opinion.”
“Is that why you put the clause in your adoption contract?” Helena watched me like a hawk. “The one saying you couldn’t be forced into a marriage.”
“Yes, definitely. I sold your mother on the idea that it was to stop the naysayers from thinking I’d marry you to cement my line of succession, so she didn’t argue with me about it. But honestly speaking, I refuse to sacrifice my personal happiness because your parents want to reach some political goal. I’m worth more than that. So are you. And you, Royce.”
Both siblings beamed. They really didn’t look much alike on the surface until they smiled like that, then the relationship became obvious.
“Quite right. I’m a princess; I’m not marrying some idiot lout to meet my mother’s goals.” Helena nodded firmly. “I look forward to your help, James.”
“I think you and I should also have a meeting to talk this through, come up with a strategy to break the engagement. That said…I think we should form a pact. Your Mother, bless her heart, might like matchmaking, but she’s proven to be very bad at it. If she tries to match any of us, the other two should step in to prevent it from happening.”
Royce lifted his glass immediately. “I’m in.”
Helena and I clinked glasses with him, and I smiled. I’d secured both allies and a sibling bond in the space of a luncheon. This had gone better than I’d imagined.
I ate lunch with them, talked of what they needed, and they reciprocated by asking me what I needed in return. I did wantsome support on a few minor matters, mostly to help me form a better relationship with them.
We lost Royce after the food was eaten, as he was eager to get back and prepare for his meeting with me, and I let him go without an argument.
The very second he was out of earshot, Helena locked her attention on me.
“James. You say you do not want the throne. Nor do you think Victor should be on it. Who do you think should be king? Royce?”
“Ha, no. Not even Royce would want that. No, I think you should be on the throne.”
For a moment, Helena was utterly speechless. Her jaw dangled for a full second before she managed to snap it back into place. “Me?!”
“You’re more capable than your brothers.” I smiled, hoping she could tell I meant it. “Royce is smart, but he’s not people savvy, nor does he want the headache of politics. He’d rather be in his lab. I think no one’s taken you seriously because of your gender, and that’s their mistake. One’s sexual organs have no bearing on their intelligence or capabilities. It’s stupid to think otherwise. You’re clever with people, have good sense, and I think you’d make a good queen. Someone needs to give you the chance. I’m in full support of you.”
Helena’s eyes grew bright with unshed tears. “James. I could hug you.”
“I don’t mind.” I held out both arms in invitation.
She promptly got up and threw both arms around my shoulders. I hugged her back tightly, grinning against her shoulder. Phew, I had convinced her that I really was on her side. Especially in regard to this. I’d seen how she was treated, how she was dismissed by her own parents, and I wanted her to know that at least one person saw her true potential andworth. I’d made the first step here, but I’d reinforce it whenever possible.
Leaning back, she gave me a smile before retaking her seat. “I’m now glad my parents adopted you.”
“My mission in life is to make them regret it.” I winked and got a gamine grin in return. “That said, Helena, I know people aren’t taking you seriously or training you on how to be a good ruler. So, I make you this offer—want me to teach you?”
She didn’t even hesitate. “Yes.”
“I thought that’d be your answer. Excellent. Start with me tomorrow? I wasn’t just appeasing Royce—I do think he’s on to something that’ll be helpful to the whole country. Marketed right, we can also make a mint off the cure by selling it to other countries. It’ll be a good mini project for you to help me manage. Something to show you the ropes as you get your feet under you.”
