Page 23 of Betraying Korth

“We—” The rest of the sentence died before being voiced. Had my thoughts been written on my face? “We are doing as well as can be expected.”

We lapsed into silence again. A pelican soared overhead and dove into the water, rising moments later with a fish clasped in its large beak.

Korth sighed heavily. “My attempts at romance are falling woefully short.”

“What woeful wooing, you mean?” I teased. “How alliteratively delightful. What would you wish to discuss that would make you feel successful in wooing me?” I gave his hand a gentle squeeze.

“I just don’t know much about your values and opinions on things yet.”

“Then ask me. Without the paper,” I added with a slight wink.

We turned to head back to the castle as Korth pondered, and this time instead of splashing our way through the shallow surf, we strolled through the granulated sand that rose and fell in small mounds, soft enough that with each footstep, we sank into the sand and left a trail everywhere we went. The sound of the wind whispering through the palm fronds on trees lining the beach was overpowered by the incessant rolling waves that chased each other toward land.

I watched the waves, mesmerized by how the crest of each wave boasted a foaming white cap that rolled along the peak of each swell before it eventually lost height and faded from view as it slowed and returned to the ocean. Some of the white foam lasted much longer than others, propelled by the ocean’s ebbing and flowing, yet all eventually lost momentum and disappeared.

Were lies like that? Some lasted longer than others, depending on the circumstances and individuals involved. How long would my lies manage to stay afloat before the truth came out?

“How about I start,” I suggested after Korth remained silent. “If you were scared to do something, but doing it would benefit your people, would you still do it?”

Korth considered my question for several long moments before nodding, bobbing his head up and down in a way that reminded me of the fishing lures sailors used. “Of course. Bravery doesn’t mean a lack of fear. It means facing your fear even when it’s hard. Especially when it’s hard,” he amended thoughtfully. “If my people needed to be protected, that is motivation strong enough to eclipse any fear.”

“I agree completely. Duty to their people should always come first for a ruler. See? We’re already agreeing on so much more than bridges and dumbwaiters.” Sand kicked up behind me, often sticking to my calves as I kept pace with Korth. My thoughts returned to Ebora’s corrupt government and I began chewing on my tongue. “What should become of a leader who doesn’t share such values?”

“They shouldn’t be the ruler if they don’t have the kingdom’s best interests at heart.”

“Who would be in charge of removing them?” The relentless wind tugged at my hair, blowing it in all directions at once. Gerta would have a job untangling it once we got back, and I didn’t look forward to the painful unsnarling process.

“If they recognize that they are no longer the best person for the job, they should step down, and ruling would default to the next in line for the throne.”

“What if they refused to step down? A ruler who doesn’t have the kingdom’s best interests at heart wouldn’t be eager to relinquish power so readily. Who would be in charge of dethroning them?”

“So many hypotheticals. Are you planning to dethrone me and my parents?” The corner of Korth’s mouth twitched upward.

“There have been rumors of an uprising in Ebora is all,” I said smoothly. “I’m merely concerned for my father in my absence.”

“You would only have need to fear if he was unjust.”

“Not everyone agrees with what is just. You do what is best for your people, but I’m sure you still receive complaints.”

“Every day,” he sighed.

“And yet, even though it may upset others, you still do what you think is right.”

“Of course. Real leaders dare to speak the truth. If I lived in constant fear of upsetting others, I wouldn’t have the strength to do what needs done.”

“What would you do if you found out that…that Berkway’s king was corrupt and he refused to step down?”

Korth shook his head. “It isn’t my business to get involved if it doesn’t affect my people.”

“So you would allow their people to suffer?”

“We would offer sanctuary to them.”

“How could they get here if they were oppressed and unable to leave?” Some of the frustration I felt seeped into my tone.

“All of this is theoretical,” Korth protested. “There’s no need to get worked up over something that isn’t happening.”

“Just because we aren’t aware doesn’t mean it isn’t happening,” I said quietly. “I don’t want to reach the end of my life and discover that I was so afraid to stand up for justice that I apathetically stood by and let evil take over.”

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