Page 15 of The Rejected King
She cleared her throat and raised her chin. “I’m a professional.”
“I don’t doubt that.”
Emree didn’t like the humor that lingered behind his eyes. It didn’t help her resolve to maintain a working relationship.
“Beyond being a professional, tell me something else about you.”
Perhaps it was a good idea that the king knew something else about her. They needed something more than the Morreck Inn to talk about. “I like to read,” she offered, glancing at his bookshelves. “I hope you don’t mind, but I noticed your collection of books. What you have here is amazing. I would be thrilled if my collection was as good as yours.”
The king pushed away from his desk, walking to the shelves. He placed his hands in his pockets. “Do you collect books, Miss Dutson?”
“Yes, but nothing like this.” She gestured to the books. “Look at all of these pre-Desolation titles. They’re incredible.”
“Do you want to borrow something?”
Emree reared her head back. “I couldn’t. They’re way too valuable. What if I ruined one?”
“Miss Dutson, these books survived the destruction of Desolation. I think they’ll survive a few days with you...as long as you promise not to throw them at anyone.”
“Never,” she said, holding back her smile.
The king reached up, grabbing a black book. The front cover was gone, but Emree could see the book title on the spine.
“Start with this one,” he said, handing it to her. “It’s one of my personal favorites.”
She read the title out loud. “The Hunger Games. Sounds intriguing.”
“Very,” he agreed. “I want a full report when you’re done.”
She nodded, looking down at the book. For some reason, she hadn’t pictured the king as the type of person who valued and read books. The vision equally surprised Emree and scared her. What was she supposed to do with that information? Because currently, that information was imprinted on her heart in the place that kept a running list of reasons the king was likable.
She swallowed, hoping to move on. “So, the newswriters briefing...”
“Yes, the briefing.” He walked back to his chair behind his desk, sitting down.
“I know the newswriters briefing is supposed to be about the Promenade, but when I spoke with Queen Arillia yesterday, she told me the Promenade has two goals. The first, to find you a wife. And the second, to help your image. We should focus on your image tomorrow in the briefing by having you talk a little bit about the Council of Essentials. Let the newswriters know about some of your successes. For instance, the queen mother mentioned your idea of transporters.”
King Davin nodded. “Sure. I can talk about that if you think I should.”
“Anything positive helps.”
King Davin rested his elbows casually against his desk. “Because I’m so unpopular?”
Emree hated to be so direct, but surely the king already knew all of this. The king’s failures and unpopularity were widely talked about among the people. Emree had been too young at the time of the king’s election to vote, but since Fennish Kemp had been a good friend and she had worked on his campaign, Emree doubted she would’ve voted for King Davin. However, her new job as Promenade director had made her the king’s biggest champion. Strengthening his reputation would be at the front of every decision she made.
“Yes. Right now, your approval rating is only at thirteen percent—”
“Thirteen?” The king grimaced. “My approval rating hasn’t even hit puberty yet.”
Emree paused, not knowing how to respond. She hadn’t expected the king to joke about his lack of popularity or to compare his approval rating to puberty.
“That’s terrible,” he continued. “Are we sure we don’t have it all wrong? Could a low number be good?”
Emree shook her head. “I don’t think so.” The king’s face pulled into a frown, so she tried to soften the blow. “But I’m sure it’s higher than that. Don’t believe everything you read in the newswriters.”
“Yes, I’ve learned that the hard way,” he said.
Emree caught the slightest hint of bitterness in his voice.
