Page 133 of Hawthorne

“Anyway, it’s too late to change that now…”

“Your Majesty, these documents are certified. We can run some DNA tests of our own to confirm what’s in here–”

“I’m sure that won’t be necessary,” the king cuts his worker off, turning his attention back to me. “I am sure my brother wouldn’t lie in such a manner. I am even more certain Elizabeth Hawthorne wouldn’t let this happen if it wasn’t indisputable either.” Another short pause, so he can recover his breath.

With a light curling of his hands, he beckons me even closer. I oblige, bending closer to him.

His hand hovers over my head, and when he starts speaking again, the whole room is stunned into silence, “Camilla White, you’re now Princess Camilla of Severna, second in line and my apparent heir."

The power of his recognition echoes through the bedroom, making the eerie quietness that follows each word so heavy with the meaning of the situation. None of us understands how big this is.

I don’t, at least.Not yet.

“Joshua,” he rasps. “Call for the counsellor and the Parliament and send for all documentation. I’ll sign off whatever they need to make this a smooth and secret transition.”

“Secret?” I can’t help but cut in.

“Oh, yes…” He sighs. “I only want the world to know on Coronation Day.”

“But, Your Majesty, the coronation will only happen a year after–”

“No,” the king cuts in. “It needs to be different this time. She will be Crowned right away.” A short break for some breathing. “Instead of giving everyone else power over who to choose, I’d rather leave it to someoneIchoose.”

“The Parliament will–”

“If those documents are irrefutable, they will oblige. You know our Constitution better than anyone. Sheisthe next in line.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.” Joshua bows before leaving the room.

As soon as he leaves, a young lady—a nurse—enters.

“I just wish I could see that witch’s reaction when you’re being Crowned.”

Witch? Oh...Oh!

“You mean the Duke’s mother?”

He doesn’t answer but smiles wickedly. The mischief in his eyes is still clear even through his fragile condition.

“Are you sure you want this? It’s going to be lonely and very often ruthless…”

“I have been lonely my entire life, Your Majesty. This will be no different.”

He smiles lazily as his eyes flutter, craving to close. His hold on my hand slackens, and the nurse rushes to us again, picking up the king’s hand and placing it on his chest.

She smoothly ushers us out of the room, locking the door behind her. That is when Joshua shows up again, ready to direct us out of the palace. We follow as he takes the lead through the grand building.

I have no idea where I am going.

“The king needs rest,” he starts, not even bothering to look at us. “I’ll direct you to the rooms you’ll be staying in–”

Stay here?

That thought hadn’t even crossed my mind before.

“Oh, no,” I refuse. There’s no way I’ll stay here. “I’ve paid for a hotel, and–”

He stops, cutting me off when I almost crash against his back. The king’s right-hand turns and looks me in the eye, scoffing, “Right. Because the princess will be staying at some gauche hotel while she waits for the succession process to be done.”

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