Page 29 of Once Upon a Royal Billionaire

Rhett stood with Emily, knowing she was about to lose her top. “That will not be necessary. We, as the crown, value Emily’s thoughts. And we take counsel from her wisdom, even if it differs from a defined stance of our cabinet.”

Kenworthy frowned.

Rhett tried to nudge Emily from the room, but she only took half a step before she whirled around to face Kenworthy. “You are half the problem with this current cabinet and crown. You and your policies.”

Rhett tried not to bristle at her comment, but he felt his own annoyance rising in the already tense room.

“Who runs this country?” Emily eyed the people on the screen, who stared back impassively, some with slight disapproving frowns.

Rhett could talk to them later. For now, he had to get Emily out of this room before she crossed the line of no return.

“How can you be so rigid in your policies, in your thoughts? Do you never listen to opposing opinions, never try to consider in what ways you might be wrong?” She turned back toward Rhett, and he was filled with relief until she whipped around again and he realized that she was simply pacing. They were in for quite a lengthy speech.

“Take your policy on the environment for example.”

Rhett leaned forward. She knew about their policies? And she took issue with one?

“Do you want to go down in history as the worst stewards of the Mediterranean that ever lived?”

“That’s a bit harsh, Em. There is more to consider than perhaps you’ve noticed.”

“Oh, I’ve noticed. And if anyone from the press asks me my take on the environmental issues facing this country, I’ll share my thoughts.”

Kenworthy’s frown deepened.

“And your policies on education and literacy.” She shook her head as though they were a great travesty.

Up until this moment, he’d thought they were making great strides in those areas. “Emily, thank you for your thoughts, but—”

“And while I’m at it, another policy I would definitely have a lot to speak about is that of the treatment of women in this country. You must realize that in every other forward-thinking nation in the world, women actually serve in leadership roles.”

Rhett studied his all-male cabinet. Then he dipped his head. “We’ll consider all your thoughts, but now I think it’s time for us to…” He pointed out the door.

“Oh, I have one more thing to say.”

Kenworthy clapped his hands together once. “But you’ve said so many things already. And we do have a lot of work to accomplish, so perhaps if you’re finished being prepped, we can move on to other things?”

Emily’s face turned white. Then her eyes flashed in anger. She whirled around and stomped out of the room.

“She’s not a good fit here, Rhett. Surely you see that.” Kenworthy shook his head. “Time has changed nothing.”

“Kenworthy, you overstep. You’ve always overstepped in this area. How can we answer questions about where we stand when we don’t know ourselves? The crown has one valuable commodity. Privacy. And I guard mine. And she’s right about our policies, as far as she understands them. She’s entitled to her opinions, and I value the sharing. I’m going to need you to tone it back or you will be dismissed.”

He stared, stony faced, until he at last nodded. “Yes, Your Majesty.”

When at last Rhett caught up with Emily, she had her phone to her ear and was headed to the stables.

He gave her some space. By the way she carried herself and gestured wildly as she talked, he could tell she was not happy. But as she neared the stables, the huge tree came into view. The swing still hung from its lowest branch and floated in the breeze.

She paused, turning to look at it.

He joined her.

She still talked into the phone. “Just keep her safe, Dad. Even if the school assures you they will tighten security, it might be time to bring in the tutors.”

There was a slight pause as she listened to her dad’s response. “I know she doesn’t want to do this. I know she loves her friends. I know she is just starting to figure out lunch time. Look, just tell her it won’t be forever.” She held her forehead with one hand.

Rhett didn’t know how she felt about him in that moment, and he didn’t know how he felt about her or the speech she just gave his cabinet, but he couldn’t stand seeing her in such worry and pain.

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