Page 24 of Take My Throne

“Still, the things he does don’t bring him any pleasure,” Isabella tells me. “But that’s what it takes to be head of House. Which is why he’s left Lucas in charge. Do not underestimate that boy. He can be absolutely ruthless if need be. That’s why your father likes him so much. He sees a lot of himself in Lucas. In many ways, he thinks of Lucas as more of an heir than you.”

“Well, duh.”

“But that’s only because Lucas knows how to play the game,” Isabella says. “If your father had asked him to shoot Claude Dauphin, he’d have done it in a heartbeat. And he’d probably have missed deliberately and no one would care. Ivy, haven’t you figured it out yet? This town is nothing but a game. The players dance around each other, but it’s all about appearances. Your father gave you good advice when he told you to relax. If you stop going around looking for reasons to be offended, you’ll have a much easier time of it.”

“If you say so.”

I don’t like to admit it, but I can see the wisdom in what Isabella is saying. I just hate the thought of sucking up to my father like that. I detest him, and that is never going to change.

Speak of the devil…

Lucas and my father come back to join us, a broad grin on both their faces.

“Isabella-–I want you to treat Lucas as you would me. His word is your command, understood?”

“Yes, sir.” Isabella nods.

“Ivy-–be a good girl for once?”

Isabella and I exchange a quick glance.

“I’ll do my best,” I say.

“That’s what I like to hear. Now I’ll be back before you know it, so don’t have too much fun while I’m gone.”

My father turns and gets into the back of the limo. Lucas puts his arm around me as we wave him off.

I inhale deeply, blowing the air out in one long, relieved stream. “Thank goodness that bastard’s gone and I don’t have to see his smug little face anymore.”

“Don’t let his guards hear you talking like that,” Lucas warns.

“I don’t care,” I say. “I’ve had enough. I tell you something, Lucas. You’re welcome to House Archaic. If I could, I’d walk away from it all today. I’m done with all these mind games.”

“Oh, boo hoo, Ivy,” Isabella sneers. “Next you’ll be saying you didn’t ask to be born. We all get it. You’ve got it tough. We all know your father’s treated you badly, but instead of focusing on what you don’t have, look at what you do. You’ve got more money than most people can ever dream of. You’ve got a husband who is kind, caring and considerate. Who wants nothing more than to make you happy if only you’d let him. I’ve told you how to handle your father. It’s not rocket science. But if you’re not even willing to help yourself, then I’m done. Be miserable, Ivy. That’s clearly what makes you happy.”

She stalks off, leaving me gaping after her.

“I hate to say it, Ivy, but she does have a point,” Lucas says, giving me a sheepish smile.

I glare at him and he steps back a little, putting his hands up in a gesture of surrender.

“Hear me out,” he says. “I don’t agree with what your father’s done to you, but you can turn it around. It’s like Isabella says. Play the game. Learn the rules and then bend them. Do that, and you could have the whole of King Town in your hand. Now, I’ve got to go and do something for your father, but I want you to think about what I’ve just said. If you want my help, you only have to ask and it’s yours. It’s time to stop feeling sorry for yourself and make a change.”

If only he knew what I’d been discussing earlier tonight. I am going to make a change all right. And by the time I’m done, this town will be reeling.

---