Page 31 of The Princess of Nothing
“I agree.”
“My father wants Edgar to be on the throne.”
“Obviously.” I pressed my fingernails into my knees. “Anything else you know that’s actually news?”
“Edgar can be controlled to a point. We can appoint who we want as chancellor and have a foothold in Magaelor.”
I clenched my jaw but didn’t interrupt.
“Where Xenos sees an opportunity, I see a problem,” he explained. “Edgar, no matter how much he is on our side, is still a monarch in his own right, and some of his ideas do not align with ours.”
“I’m surprised to hear that,” I admitted earnestly. “I presumed your father and my cousin had a lot in common.”
“The problem is Edgar will not always be able to be controlled. Xenos may not see it as an immediate issue, but I like to look ahead.”
“Undermining your own father, hmm.” I arched an eyebrow. “Not very prince-ly.”
He shrugged. “You’re the last person he’d listen to, and I’ve sent the rest of the servants away. I have nothing to hide from you. I wanted to be honest. In fact, you’re a big part of my plan.” His smile made me uneasy.
“Which is?”
“I know a way to bring our kingdoms together!” he exclaimed, looking pleased with himself. “I’ve discussed this with the king, and after some deliberation, he has agreed. I believe it to be in both of our interests, allowing you to live and rule and remain queen.”
My eyes widened. “How?” I clung to a childish hope that he was going to let me leave, but nothing was ever so easy. “What do you want in return?”
“I would like to take you as my wife, making you the next queen of Berovia.”
Shock erased any lingering questions on my tongue.
“You would be queen, and naturally, I will be king of Magaelor.”
I blinked several times, then curled my bottom lip behind my teeth. He was serious, and while I admired the idea in the abstract, it only benefited him greatly. He was simply a prince now, so by marrying him, I would give him both a throne and control over Magaelor. He would be king consort, but ultimately, he would have more power than me when it came to the council at court. King trumps queen every time in the eyes of men. I’d be handing my kingdom to Berovia. Our magic would be stripped from us. I’d be queen of Berovia, but that didn’t mean much. Who knew how long it would be before Xenos died, especially now that he had the Ring of Immortalem. I didn’t need to ask. I already knew. He thought Magaelor would be more willing to accept Berovia if their rightful monarch married one. It was the biggest show of support I could give.
“I would also expect the full rights to the crown,” he stated. “Naturally.”
I let out a tense breath. Of course he’d ask for that. It made him king, not a consort. If we didn’t have a child, and I died, Magaelor would be his. The line of succession would forever be changed. It would only be a matter of time until they’d try to get rid of me once they got what they wanted, but to refuse the marriage offer was a death sentence. I had to sound interested if I had any chance of getting out of there. I offered the only answer I could.
“May I think on it?”
“Yes.” His eyes lit up. “I’ll have a scholar bring you the contract to look over. You have two days, per King Xenos’s instruction. However...” He licked his lips. “I imagine you already know the alternative.”
I nodded. “I do.”
He placed the box next to me. “It’s a ring.”
I stared at the unopened package. “Now I have no reason to open it.”
“It’s green, like your eyes.”
“My eyes are blue.”
“Oh. Right.” He scratched the back of his head. “Then, well, emeralds are beautiful. Like you.”
I cleared my throat. “Let’s not embarrass ourselves by feigning flattery. This is purely a political proposition.”
“I’m glad you’re coming around.” He looked at the window. “It’s getting late. I must go. Xenos is holding a banquet for the duchess of—you don’t care.” He let out a clipped laugh. “Good night.”
