“Yuyan had a personal vendetta against the Jings and the royal family.” Ren held up his hands as I began to retort. “And like I said earlier, she was justified in some ways. But you must remember that she did wrong too. How can you be sure she didn’t misunderstand Liqin’s part in everything?”
I exhaled heavily. “I… guess I can’t. But the fact that your brother was here is still suspicious.”
Ren shrugged. “He was probably just here to maintain good relations between the Jings and my father. Maybe not the best choice, but well-intentioned as a dutiful son. Surely he wouldn’t have done more than that.”
“How canyoube so sure?” I challenged. “Prince Liqin has made some questionable decisions. Why not convince your father to makeyouhis heir instead? You’ve already got the seal, apparently.”
He blinked, taken aback by the question. “Because I can’t—I mean, I don’t want to.”
“That’s an incredibly selfish reason,” I said. “And we both know you’re not as selfish as you pretend to be.”
“Maybe I am.”
Surely he had to know howunsure he sounded.
“Nowyou’redishonest,” I said.
“Fine,” he said, burying his fingers in his hair. The truth spilled out in a rush. “But it’d be more selfish for me to want the throne. I’m much less qualified than my brother, who’s been diligently studying to become king since he could walk. I, on the other hand? I preferred reading novels and listening to the handmaidens gossip about their cousins. I can better paint a landscape than draft a royal decree. Even if I wanted the crown, I’d only run the kingdom into the ground and make everything worse.”
I pinched the bridge of my nose. “You’re being an absolute fool.”
Ren stared at me, once again thrown by my words. “Excuse me?”
“You say your brother is more qualified,” I continued, “but the duties of a king and knowledge of the law—those are all things that can be learned. What’s much harder to learn is genuine love for the people.” I tapped his chest, mimicking my father—along with a bit of his wisdom. “I can tell that you care, Your Highness. You were even willing to sacrifice your life for mine. With that kind of compassion, you could be a king who changes things for the better.”
“I…” He rolled his lips together, eyes growing distant. His hand clasped mine and squeezed. Then he dropped it—before I could start overthinking the heat of his grip. “No, no. I couldn’t. You’re kind to believe in me, but the fact of the matteris I don’t want to rule. And if I don’t want it, how could I ever be a good king?”
“Ren—”
“Please, Mistress Kang.” He glanced over at the townsfolk, who’d begun gathering near the mansion gate to leave. “Don’t attempt to change my mind. Just focus on honoring our original agreement, so I can help you save your father. That’s all that matters.”
I flinched at his mention of Baba. I’d decided long ago that I’d do anything to save him, even at the cost of others. So perhaps I didn’t have the right to lecture Ren on duty to the masses when I’d done very little myself in looking past my immediate family.
“Come,” Ren interrupted my thoughts. He leaped to his feet and extended a hand, smiling crookedly. “Everyone’s about ready to return home. We should be resuming our journey as well.”
I looked up at his face, so warm and wary at the same time. It brought to mind Liqin’s cunning in Yuyan’s memory. I didn’t like it.
But Ren wasn’t listening to reason, so I’d try again later.
“You’ll need a new Fu talisman,” I said.
Hetsked. “And here I was hoping you’d forget.”
“I didn’t forget. I just didn’t want to frighten the residents.”
His smile softened. “Then let’s wait until we’ve left town to perform the reanimation ritual.”
I opened my mouth to argue but knew he was right to be careful. Taking his hand, I muttered, “Very well, Your Highness.”
“By the way,” he said as he pulled me to my feet, “now that we’ve saved each other from horrible deaths, can I call youSiying? Mistress Kang feels too formal after everything we’ve been through.”
I considered the question, remembering the way Yuyan had used my name to trick me. But she’d been an enemy, and this was Ren. Ren, who had put my life before his. Whose goodness made the growing sunrise behind us pale in comparison.
“I suppose,” I said slowly.
He beamed. “And no more ‘Your Highnesses’ either. I much prefer you using my name, as you did earlier.”
I turned on my heel and began to walk off, so he wouldn’t see the smile I was trying so hard to bite back. Maintaining a cool voice, I said, “Fine.”
