Page 8 of Redemption of a Prince

The knock on the office door surprised Zeke. “Enter,” he called.

His next youngest brother, the one who had been given Zeke’s birthright, walked in with a folder full of papers in hand. “Did you look at this contract with Auverignon?”

“No. Why would I? You’re point on that.” Something that irritated Zeke. He should have been in charge of so much more by now.

Gideon flipped about half of the pages over the top of the folder and handed it to Zeke. “What do you think about the section I marked?”

Zeke read the section starting where the sticky note indicated. He took his time reading the two-and-a-half pages long, taking it all in.

“It’s very weird,” he concurred.

Gid had taken a seat across from Zeke. He looked up from where he’d been typing on his phone. “What do you make of it?”

“That we’re expected to offer the monarch of Auverignon asylum if he or she ever requests it.” Ezekiel had never seen such a thing.

“And you know he will once his trial is over. He can’t walk away from the charges of misuse of government funds and whatever else he’s been charged with.” Gid shifted in his seat. “He wants to use us to avoid jail time.”

Zeke nodded his agreement. “I don’t know how he expects us to go for it.”

“Maybe he thinks I won’t notice. Father would never go for it, but Father only has to sign off on this. He likely expects I won’t realize that’s what it actually says and won’t tell Father.” Gid rested his elbows on the arms of the chair and leaned forward. “He thinks I won’t notice because I’m young.”

“I agree, but why are you showing it to me?”

“Papa isn’t feeling well.”

“Yes, but you and I both know I won’t be the one who succeeds him, so it doesn’t much matter what I think.” Zeke handed the folder back. “It’s all you.”

Gideon took the folder. “And I still have no idea why. Even if I’m the heir, we both know you’re better suited for it, and know more about it. Why can’t you be Papa’s heir?”

Zeke had sensed Gideon’s desire to ask for years, but even more so since he’d married the Trilunium heiress. “Because I can’t.”

He’d made choices when he was much younger. Choices that meant he could never be king.

With a sigh, Gideon stood. “Fine. But if you ever want to talk about it, you know where to find me. I think I could do a fine job as king someday.” He pointed at Zeke. “But I think you’d do better.”

Zeke leaned back in his seat and sighed as the door clicked shut behind his brother.

Before he had time to think about it any further, the door opened again.

Gideon’s head appeared back in his office. “By the way, we chose Kari’s new assistant for the Triliunium development. I think you might know her.”

Zeke’s stomach knotted. “Really?”

“Nicolette Major. Didn’t you hang out with her some in school?”

Trying to control his facial expression, Zeke nodded. “I know who she is.”

“We haven’t offered her the job yet. Is there any reason we shouldn’t?”

None that Ezekiel wanted to explain, so he simply shook his head. “Will the job be here or on-site?”

“A little of both, I’d imagine.” Gideon grinned. “Thanks.”

This time when the door closed, Zeke sent a message to his assistant that he wasn’t to be bothered until further notice, but also that he would be back shortly.

He used a back exit to leave the office and sneak down to the gardens. Walking through the maze to the spot where he found the most peace, Zeke sat on a bench and stared at the bare branches.

The day was unseasonably cold for June. Technically, it wouldn’t be winter for another week or so, but he could feel a definite nip in the air.

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