Something in Anshi softened. She seemed to realize that Ren meant every word he was saying. Even more importantly, the language he’d used acknowledged Wen’s independence. I suspected he’d be the king who finally let go of the subject state, who fought his own councilors to make it happen.
“Very well.” Anshi bowed her head, tucking the seal into her pocket. “I shall report to the governor and send his response.”
Ren dipped his head in respect. “Thank you, Miss Anshi.”
The governor’s assistant nodded and looked at me. “Perhaps we’ll meet again.”
“Perhaps we will,” I said, not entirely dreading the idea. For a while, we’d been enemies, then allies. Given time, we could even become friends.
With one final nod, Anshi slipped out the side entrance of the courtyard and disappeared.
After she’d gone, Ren released a long sigh. “That woman terrifies me.”
“Does she?” I turned to look at him.
“Of course. You two are rather alike in temperament.”
“You don’t seem very afraid of me.”
“How are you so certain I’m not?” He motioned at the staff in my hand. “If not for that, I would’ve run from you long ago.”
I tilted my head. “I never abused my powers with you.”
“Like hell you didn’t. I’ve never seen anyone speak to royalty the way you do.”
“Perhaps if you’d behaved more like royalty, I’d have spoken more respectfully.”
He opened his mouth to protest, then seemed to think better of it. After a pause, he leaned closer to stare directly into my eyes, a secretive smile touching his lips. “What about earlier? Did I behave like royalty then?”
I knew what moment he referred to—when he’d finally declared his decision to be heir. It was what I’d asked of him for so long. And, it seemed, it was also something he now wanted for himself.
But in truth, he’d always wanted it, as my father surmised. He’d only needed the courage to say it.
“Yes.” I smiled. “You were very much like royalty then. That’s why I’m confident you’ll make a wonderful king, Ren. We’re all trusting in you.”
I expected him to laugh or continue to tease. Instead, his eyes widened, and his cheeks turned pink. “Your sincerity is no fun,” he mumbled.
I smirked. “It’s not my fault you can’t take a compliment.”
He laughed, and then his expression softened as he gazed down at me. My pulsed tripped over the intensity of his stare. “Siying,” he started, “what we discussed at your home. I—”
“Your Highness.”
We both jumped at the voice, turning to see one of the ministers standing beside us. Concern etched lines into his forehead and around his mouth.
“Prince Renshu.” He glanced back at the other officials. They bowed their heads when Ren looked their way. “We must get you to the royal physician. Once you’re recovered, there are documents for you to read and papers to sign. With your father still in bed—”
“I wish to see him,” Ren interrupted. “My father. There is much I need to talk to him about, including my intention to become crown prince.”
I studied him, thinking of Liqin’s confession to the poisoning of his mother. Certainly, Ren had a million questions about that too.
“Of course, Your Highness. There’s also the matter of the royal seal. Since you’ve given it away to the enemy—”
“An ally, not enemy,” Ren corrected.
The minister grimaced but nodded. “My apologies. Since it’s with your ally, we’ll need to discuss how to make your claim to the throne official—”
“My father first.”
