Page 12 of Learning to Rule

“I don’t understand.”

“I expect you’ve only been told a little bit about me. I’ve not always moved in these circles. I was brought up in a particularly poor area of Janastria where childhood poverty and lack of food is rife. I managed to get a scholarship to attend the same prestigious university as Clement. He was a paying student as his father is a successful businessman. We were on the same course and fell in love. When we married, I helped him forge ahead with his plans to become the leader of Janastria. I knew I’d be able to show him the reality of life for our poorer citizens. He’s the face of the prime minster, but in reality, we’re in it together and discuss all the important decisions. I’m happy to stay out of the limelight because it means I don’t have to deal with a pompous king who fancies himself as a god. Clement is skilled at dealing with that side of things.”

Mr. Hinchbottom coughs behind us.

“My apologies.” Hannah lowers her head. “I’ve said too much. Disregard my last statement. The rest, however, bare it in mind when you are faced with whatever the king throws at you over the next month.”

I don’t respond to Hannah. The king starts speaking from his throne, and I watch as he addresses Parliament. Again, I understand little of what is being said. I start looking around, and it hits me that many of the men in the room below are closer to the king’s age than Clement’s or Dalton’s.

“Clement must be a breath of fresh air,” I state, understanding hitting me.

“He is, but we need you on our side too. I’ve always thought Dalton would be a king like his father because it’s all he knows—well, that’s what I believed until he met you. I think you’re exactly what the royal family of Janastria needs. You’re exactly what the country needs.” Hannah looks over at me with a smile.

“Me, I’m no one.”

“Don’t ever think that. You’ve got a beautiful soul, and I can already see your influence on Dalton. It’s subtle, but I see it.”

“What do you mean?”

Mr. Hinchbottom coughs from behind us again. “Ladies, I believe your interaction is being observed. Maybe your attentions should be focused on the king.”

“Of course, I’m sorry,” I apologize, and we both fall silent.

I watch the king and listen to his words about planned reform in schools. I wonder if any of it will happen?

Eventually, my eyes drift to Dalton. He’s standing next to his father, the epitome of a dutiful son, but I can tell from the way his lips are pursed together he’s bored. I lower my gaze down his body, and when I see he’s standing in tree pose, I smirk as I recall Hannah Woodrow’s words. Maybe I am helping Dalton to learn a different way to rule after all.

Six

Dalton

Elodie falls asleep the second her head hits the pillow after we return from the ceremony to open Parliament. I know she’s exhausted from taking everything in and being pulled in all different directions since we landed in Janastria.

I change out of my formal clothes into a more casual outfit of jeans, shirt, and sweater. I’d love to put on a tracksuit and just chill out, but I know that can’t happen. My father would have a fit if he saw me that casually attired.

While Elodie dressed this morning, Hinchbootie gave me a pile of letters he’d found in the personal secretaries’ office. Some of them hadn’t been opened, but the few that had made for devastating reading. I’d stored them in my carved oak and gilded bedside cabinet while I attended the ceremony. Now the cabinet is almost vibrating with a need for me to deal with the correspondence.

I open the drawer quietly, so as not to disturb Elodie, and retrieve the stashed contents. Shutting it gently, I grip the letters tightly in my hand and tiptoe across the room to the bedroom door. I know it’ll creak when I open it, as most things do within the palace. It’s the age of the place. I open it carefully, but there’s the inevitable grind of ancient hinges. Elodie stirs in the bed, wrapping the blankets tighter around herself but doesn’t wake. She really is exhausted. I slip from the room and leave the door a little ajar so I don’t have to make the same noise, shutting it.

I quickly make my way through the palace to my father’s quarters. I know he’ll be working on state matters at this time of day. A guard stands outside his room as usual. I know when I become king I won’t want all this protection. I’d hate it. People are everywhere in the palace—there’s never any peace. The security cameras with the guards constantly watching them are enough to protect us. There’s no need for a man, who’s probably there more for show than actual protection, to be standing about all day dressed in a silly outfit doing nothing. My anger rises but I temper it down. I need to be calm to talk to my father.

I greet the guard with a smile, and he bows to me. “Can you ask His Majesty if I may have a moment of his time please? It won’t take long.”

“Of course, Your Highness.”

The guard knocks on the door, and my father calls him in, but I know I must wait until I’m specifically invited to enter. I make a mental note that if I ever have children, they’ll be allowed to run into my office whenever they want. I won’t make them wait outside as I’ve always had to, like I’m a naughty child waiting for punishment from his father.

The anger rises again. I do a few yoga breaths to calm myself.

Elodie is a godsend to me.

I love her.

A mental picture of her as my bride flashes through my brain. A vision in a spectacular white gown with a long flowing train behind her.

“You may enter, Your Highness.”

The guard’s voice breaks me away from my perfect daydream. I lament it briefly, but I know it won’t always be in my imagination—one day it’ll be a reality.

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