I sink into it. “I’m sorry, I was under the impression that I’d be appearing in front of the High Court.”
He clears his throat before responding, “I suppose my wording was misleading. You will not be appearingin frontof the High Court today. You’ll meet the High Court but later.”
He pauses and places his hands on his desk before continuing. “I’m going to be upfront with you, Mae. I’ve brought you here to give you some…well, life-changing news.”
I don’t say anything for a minute, my mind reeling at what the news could possibly be. “What’s going on?”
“Before we talk about why you’re here, I want to tell you who I am.”
I refrain from ordering him to just tell me the news already. My stomach churns at all the possibilities. Life-changing news? I must do a good job at hiding my irritation at the cliffhanger because he continues without pause.
His expression is now somber as he stares at me across from the desk.
“I have held the position of Chief Advisor for the last twenty-five years and therefore, I was able to serve King Silas for his entire reign. It has been my duty and honor to serve the royal family during their reign. Although I knew King Silas in an official capacity, we considered each other friends.”
He pauses and sits up straight in his chair. He clasps his hands together and looks directly into my eyes. I brace myself, trying to prepare myself for whatever news he called me here for. He takes a breath before continuing.
“Mae, your father was King Silas.”
My jaw starts to drop, but I snap it shut.
My father was the High King.
Of all the things in the kingdom, I was not expecting him to say…that. I can’t speak for a moment.
“My father was…High King Silas? Wh—How?” I finally stutter.
Ivan nods slowly. His entire body is rigid as he watches me process the news.
“But…why didn’t he ever come find me?” I ask. But what I really want to ask iswhy didn’t he want me?
His eyes soften as his gaze turns sympathetic.
“Your father…had a complicated response when he learned about you. Initially, he didn’t believe that you were truly his.” He winces but continues, “As you got older, he wanted to make sure you had the choice between being involved in the court or living a normal life.”
“What do you mean?” I ask.
“Your father grew up in the court. He never wanted that for his children. With Princess Etta, he didn’t have a choice. But with you, he did.”
“But I didn’t have a choice. I never knew,” I counter.
Ivan’s gaze narrows. “What do you mean?”
“What doyoumean?”
He shifts in his seat. “Well, we reached out to Willa several times. Your father wanted to meet you, but it was our understanding that you weren’t interested.”
I stare at him in silence for a moment as my brain processes the words but struggles to find a way to understand them. “You did?”
He nods in confirmation. Before I can ask him what he means, he continues, “I’m sorry, Mae. I know this is shocking. However, now that the entire royal family has been murdered, you’re the last known heir to the throne.”
A heaviness seems to come over him, his body deflating at the mention of the three lives stolen. Sorrow laces his following words. “Mae, this means you’re the High Princess and the future High Queen of the Woodland Kingdom.”
I can’t speak. I can’t think. I can’t move.
Chapter 3
Ivan’s gaze doesn’t strayfrom mine as he waits for me to respond.
