Page 30 of The Reluctant Queen
“He’s nearly seventy,” Nekash whined. “Can’t he just die already?”
Ehmet said, “I think he's already seventy.”
“Either way, he’s not dead yet, and he’s been rallying friends to his side,” their mother bemoaned. “If he gathers enough votes...”
“The crown needs to stay in this family.”
“Heispart of the family.” Ehmet was intent on needling his brother for no reason other than because it was fun.
“You know what I mean,Dad.”
Their late father had also enjoyed poking the bear by playing dumb. Either that or slicing the bear’s head off in an obnoxious show of power. Ehmet didn’t have much in common with the man, except their shared love of pestering Nekash.
“Your point is well taken, son.” The dowager queen picked at her chicken.
Both Ehmet and Nekash looked to her, to see which son she referred to, but she wasn’t paying them any attention. “Yusuf’s claim is weak, but with enough money, which he has, he may be able to buy or blackmail himself additional support.”
“This is true.” Ehmet steepled his fingers, having finished his supper moments before.
“I have my spies watching the issue. You need some of your own, you know.”
“Issues?”
Nekash sputtered.
His mother’s mouth grew thin. “Spies, Ehmet. You’re the bloody king. I haveminefrom my time on the throne.”
“Do they not also work for me?” He cocked a brow.
She sighed. “They do.However, when I die, which will happen eventually, you’ll want your own team, cultivated, handpickedby you.”
He dipped his chin. She wasn’t wrong.
“It’s time to solidify your reign, yourline.You need a wife.”
There it is.“Yes, I know, Mum.” He sighed, running a hand through his hair.
Across the table, Nekash chuckled into his drink. The prince didn’t have to endure these sorts of conversations, not yet and perhaps not ever, depending on the needs of their realm. As such, he found them endlessly entertaining.
“I know youknow,Ehmet. But I don’t mean at some far distant date. I mean now. Put a stop to Yusuf, take a bride and make a child. You’ve come back empty handed from the symposium—”
“It wasthreedays.”
She shrugged. “Your brother’s birthday is in a month’s time, the perfect occasion for a house party. Perhaps...a week-long affair?” Their mother pushed on as Ehmet topped up his glass of wine. “We will extend invitations to all eligible ladies in the realm...forbothof you to choose from, of course.” She clarified this after seeing the melodramatic pout on Nekash’s face.
Ehmet rolled his eyes.
“You’re the birthday boy. You think I would leave you out of this?”
Nekash shrugged petulantly.
“Your present is that you don’t have to choose a wife by the end of things,” she replied dryly.
“You mean to tell me you’re not interested in finding a bride?” Ehmet asked his brother with thinly veiled sarcasm.
“Bride, no. Bedmate? Yes. That’s why I keep my ladies in waiting.”
The dowager rolled her eyes.
