Page 27 of Royally Rivalled

Parker's scowl transformed into an almost-sweet smile. “Would you rather have the Security Council or the IAEA?”

“Security Council,” I answered.

“It’s not important. I suppose it could be good for you to adjust since you’re relatively new to this.”

Parker hadnoidea Briggs showed me the plan for the simulation yesterday or that I already had a scheme to transfer all the power back to the Security Council. He underestimated me, as usual. I didn’t need his approval but wanted to prove—for once and for all—that I was a formidable strategist rather than a damsel in a tower.

seventeen

PARKER

I refocusedon the IAEA duties. I'd apologised repeatedly for my bobbles and offered her the better assignment out of sympathy and regret for my words. I didn’t know why. She rejected my peace offering. Why? And what possessed me to keep licking her boots? Why did I feel the need toagainapologise for one little comment? It annoyed me. She got under my skin, something I loathed. I was conflicted the more I spoke with her. She could be entitled but was also clever. I blamed it on the fact that I found her fit. Imuststop thinking about that.Get it together, Parker!

The IAEA was critical to our simulation, so I got the top job. Since she never saw the synopsis, she didn’t know she’d chosen wrong. She would be bored all day while I enjoyed watching my students avert disaster. While my agency dealt with a nuclear crisis akin to Chornobyl, she managed procedural nonsense.

Midway, I received a message from one of the runners. It was time to announce to our students that there was a change of plans.

In the original script, no known insurgents or foreign actors were involved in the meltdown. We were working cooperatively to solve thecrisis when a note in beautiful script declared there was a change of plans.

The Security Council has reason to believe Russian hackers planted ransomware, which caused a meltdown. America and Britain are investigating.

A nuclear engineering student was shining awkwardly as he approached the problem. A failsafe failed, and the IAEA was too focused on procedure now. This would derail everything! Moreover, the IAEA’s task was to investigate things—any idiot here would know that! I suspected foul play.

Stepping into the hall, I sought the source of my pain. Marching to the door of the Security Council, I asked a runner to send Latte Girl out. She appeared, a satisfied look on her face.

“Yes?”

“Was this your note?” I waved the paper in the air.

Astrid crossed her arms. “Yes. This is what the students decided.”

“But you realise it fucks everything up for us, right? It changes things.”

“We're the grownups in charge, Parker, but they are resolving the situation, right?”

“But the IAEA should do the investigation. We must! Why would you get America and Britain going on this?—”

“Because it makes for dynamite political theatre, Parker! And it'stheirsimulation! Like I said?—”

I growled, “Astrid! This is ridiculous!”

“Maybe, but it's good fun, right?”

I wanted to shake her. The shit-eating grin on her face only added to it. She relished this! She loved torturing me—lived for it!

“Fucking hell.”

“You don't have a choice. The Security Council has the right?—”

“Yes, Astrid, I'm not daft. I know more than you?—”

“Don't pull rank here like I'm an idiot, Parker! Manage your situation. We're the grownups, remember? This isn’t personal. We’re co-workers, not besties. Respect me, and I will grant you the same.”

She left me holding the bag.

Beyond cross, I returned to my table. We shifted gears—everything exploded like a poorly-managed reactor. And while it made me pull my hair out, she was right. Itwasentertaining—far more than working through standard operating procedures. Maybe she was onto something? A change of circumstances forced collaboration between our groups and across the institution. She’d managed to do something good. I didn’t like her, but I could give credit where it was due.

I believed she had leadership potential, even if I’d never gush about it. I could respect her—as she said—but I didn't like her edging into my territory. These felt likemystudents. I'd invested so much time in this place. I appreciated my faculty mentors, the students I helped, and the many good memories I had with these nerdy MUN kids. She wanted to do the same. I couldn’t fault her. I also wished she would go away and let me have my last quiet year here—my last year of freedom and academic life.

---