Page 63 of Inheritance
No argument so far.
“What about the current leaders of each house, or soon to be ‘city-states’?” Adrien’s father asked, looking pensive.
“If you are currently in a place of leadership and wish to maintain it, I am okay with you doing so. However, once you have retired, a replacement will be chosen to lead each territory by my council,” she motioned to us. “We don’t want generational family leadership anymore. We want to make sure leaders are chosen fairly, based on applicants who will be voted on by citizens and a council who makes the final decision if conflict arises.”
“And we can decide to veto continuing to lead our kingdom and turn the reins over to someone else?” Ama’s father asked, and Ama’s eyes went wide, as if she had been trying to pretend he wasn’t there.
“Yes.”
Her father nodded, and I had a feeling that he planned on doing just that.
“For now, I will live with my—'' she hesitated slightly, a blush invading her cheeks as she grappled with what to call us in front of so many people, “council here in the capital while we get everything in order. We will eventually move somewhere else, but exactly where is undetermined.”
“You could build one along the mountain side,” Commander Pandora voiced, “between both kingdoms.”
Ama looked over at Luce, and they exchanged a look I didn’t understand before she nodded thoughtfully, “Something to think about, for sure.”
Her face grew softer, “I won’t lie to any of you. I am learning this step by step. I completely know that I don’t have all the knowledge I need to rule a realm, but I will do my damned best to lead it. I plan on surrounding myself with as many people as possible who have experience. Which brings me to my last point—”
“I would like to bring one additional individual onto my council.” She sat on the edge of the table. “First, Commander Pandora, if you are willing to accept, I would love for you to be my military advisor, when it comes to anything along those lines.”
Pandora stood and stared at Ama for a minute before smiling, “Of course, I would love to accept that.” They shared a smile before looking towards the rest of the crowd.
“This is just the beginning of a new era. We are making big changes, and I expect everyone, especially those in this room, to help me move this realm forward. I need you to listen to me with open hearts, but if there is anything you ever disagree with, I am willing to hear it. Which brings me to: does anyone have an objection to what I have said so far?”
“What is the first step moving forward?” Damien’s mother asked.
“We need to open up the borders between the territories and begin construction on the road between Impurus and Pura,” Ama said immediately. “We also need to elect new rulers to the territories that used to belong to the House of Sin and House of Runes. This isn’t going to be an easy transition, and I suspect we will be fought on it, but eventually people will realize how right this is.”
The meeting closed out a bit later, and as some of the others followed the group out into the foyer of the meeting hall, I stayed next to Ama. It didn’t surprise me that Lucifer did the same, although I had a feeling he was a bit more cautious since Ama’s father was walking towards his daughter before engulfing her in a hug.
I narrowed my eyes at the woman behind him, who had a soft look on her face while staring at Ama. I had no idea what the future of their relationship was, but whatever Ama decided, I was in support of it.
“I am so proud of you,” her father beamed, looking a bit misty eyed. Ama returned his hug before clearing her throat and stepping back.
“Thanks, Dad.”
“You did wonderful, Amare,” Her mother noted quietly with a gentle smile that reached her eyes. She truly did look so proud of her daughter.
Ama stared at her for a minute, inhaling before letting out an exhale, “You can call me, Ama.”
Well shit, that was a big step.
Her mother broke into a big smile, “Okay, Ama.”
Before Ama could say anything else, her father broke in, “Drayven, you and I need to talk later.”
Fuck.
Ama widened her eyes and gripped my arm, “Dad, he’s fine—”
“No, I’m not,” I leveled, “I know how I acted was inexcusable. I know I didn’t protect Ama as much as I should have. I was young, and I thought I was handling my emotions the only way I could. I plan on making that up to her for the rest of my life.”
Her father narrowed his eyes at me and made an amused sound, “I still want to talk later…and you.” His eyes moved to Lucifer, who was trying to look casual and failing.
“Me?” Luce asked, pointing at himself.
“My daughter?” Ama’s dad scoffed. “Really? That’s who you ended up falling for?”
