“Only a few things,” she drawled before turning and pointedly looking at Treena.
“A few,” I agreed, my tone amused. “No fluff pieces, even if it won’t always be live. Things are too chaotic for that and we both know it. We do what we think is best and what is best for Thovudin or you stop at any time. No pressure or caring what your network says.”
Her eyes flashed shock again. “You really want me.”
“Yes, your integrity is well known. I won’t do this unless I know I’ll be treated fairly and the people get the true message. You would call me before you let someone at your station twist the words or interview. You’ve done it before. No games when we’re in such worrisome times. This isn’t the time to worry about ratings and clicks.
“People’s lives are affected by the stability of the leadership and what happens next. I won’t let anyone get in the way of that. It’s why I’m airing all of this. Some would want me to cave to the elders over something like how the coronation plays out. But what is next? What signal does that give them? To keep pushing?
“Who to manipulate next? That I will fold over something small, so I always will?” I blew out a slow breath. “I cannot know the minds of my parents, but we all know they were smart. The recession would have been so much worse if my father hadn’t taken such bold measures many told him were insane to consider.”
“I was one of them and I was wrong,” she admitted. “I was very wrong, and I’ve publicly apologized for my harsh criticism.”
“I know. It’s why you’re sitting there as opposed to many who gave brush-offs or never addressed it,” I told her honestly. “But while he was dealing with all of that and saving so many of our people from losing everything and starving, the elders were sucking our family dry and laughing about it. Undermining him at every turn.
“My father kept me out ofrangeof some of that so they couldn’t touch me—so I wasn’t corrupted by this outdated system. I saw how other monarchies run and their governments. I saw firsthand what works and what doesn’t. I saw from the outside of Thovudin what works and whatneeds workwhile studying everything about our beautiful nation I needed to.”
She was quiet for at least a full minute. “I’m in, Your Highness. If nothing else, I owe it to your father because I was one of the people overly critical about how he sent you off, and I never considered it could have been for the benefit of Thovudin.”
I gave a slight nod. “As a daughter, I hated it too. I’m not going to lie about that. I also won’t disparage my parents because I constantly hear how much they loved me and praised me. But as a leader… I see the benefits to the future of Thovudin.IfI’m supported as I should be and given the chance. If people stop selfishly grabbing for power.”
“I’d say you have quite the battle ahead of you because power is very seductive.”
I studied her for several moments before shaking my head. “I don’t know how to reply to that. I’m not sure I can ever be objective, or maybe I am as cold as people think because I never wanted power. I wanted to do the best I could. I wanted to make my parents and people proud, but I’ve always had power being the heir to the throne.
“So can I not understand because of that and I had it already? Or was I always outside the power struggles?” I glanced at Treena when she sighed. “What am I missing? I’m missing something, aren’t I?” I chuckled when she rolled her eyes at me. “Yes, right, live interview. Probably one of those times you tell me I won’t understand being an only child.”
She tapped her nose, but I wasn’t sure that was what it truly was. Either way, it was a bit of amusement to a very tense topic and interview because the others seemed to chuckle it off as well.
We talked a bit longer but wrapped it up shortly after. I handled what I mostly wanted to and my goals. I didn’t want it to drag on any longer than needed.
I was shocked when June made it clear once the camera was off that I needed a media coordinator and face. She had some recommendations and offered to forward me contacts or asked where they could send resumes.
“She’s not wrong,” Treena said quietly.
No, she wasn’t, and I certainly wasn’t going to use whoever my father did foranythingafter all the piles of issues I’d found.
Plus, most of them had made it clear they wouldn’t ruintheirreputations working for me after they served someone as amazing as him. Lovely, right?
Darren must have been informed and watched it on his flight over because he only had eyes for me the moment he arrived at the castle. I didn’t even bother trying to play it off and went right to Father’s study with him.
“It wasn’t the way I would have played this, but you did wonderfully,” he praised as he hugged me. “You’re doing great, Sagan.”
“Thank you,” I accepted as I sank into his hug.
“But let us advise you. Please? Stop trying to handle it all on your own. Enough, Sagan!”
I sighed and nodded, deciding to tell him what I’d learned about Kole and the fact he was still in the castle. I was beyond glad when Darren looked ready to explode.
“Let me talk to Vex. Do you have any idea why Rhys wanted to end it suddenly?” he asked.
I blinked at him and felt stupid. “No, I have no idea.”
He blew out a harsh breath. “Okay, I know you—okay, let me talk to Vex and we’ll go from there.”
Fair enough. Time to let the adults be the adults… Of my love life.
Awesome.
