Page 24 of Throne Off Course

“I would think there’d be support for modernizing such an outdated requirement.”

“In private conversations? Certainly.” His laugh was soft and bitter. “But publicly supporting me is another matter entirely.”

“Why?” she asked, though she suspected she already knew the answer.

Alexander met her gaze directly, and for once, all royal pretense had vanished. “Because no one is certain my mother won’t continue to wield considerable power once I’m king. Making an enemy of the Queen is politically unwise if they believe she’ll still influence policy after my coronation.” Hepaused. “And my mother has made her expectations regarding Genevieve abundantly clear.”

“So you’re caught,” Emilia said, the realization settling over her.

“Precisely.” He picked up another document, though his attention was clearly elsewhere. “The wedding is set for next summer. Lady Genevieve’s family has already agreed to the timeline. After that…” He trailed off.

“There won’t be time for projects like this,” she finished for him, gesturing to the archives around them.

A wry smile touched his lips. “When you put it that way, it sounds rather trivial, doesn’t it?”

“Not trivial,” Emilia countered. “History matters. How we present it matters.”

Alexander’s expression softened slightly. “That’s what I told myself. That I wanted to have a hand in shaping this before duty consumes everything else.”

“And your mother allows this delay?”

“Reluctantly,” he admitted. “She reminds me weekly of my obligations. But the date is set now.” He looked around the room, at the books and papers surrounding them. “My… freedom has an expiration date.”

In the quiet that followed, Emilia studied him with new understanding. He wasn’t just another royal trapped by duty. He was the question mark. The unknown variable in Caledonia’s future.

And for the first time, she wasn’t sure if that terrified her, or if she liked it.

15

Love is Irrelevant in a Monarchy

The polished mahogany doors of the Queen’s office loomed before Alexander, as imposing as the woman herself. He took a quick breath to steady himself before stepping inside.

Queen Eleanor sat behind her desk, the embodiment of controlled authority. Her posture was impeccable, her hands folded neatly, her gaze cool and assessing. There was no warmth in the way she looked at him—only expectation.

Alexander had spent much of his life in this room. He had sat across from her at this very desk as a child, receiving lessons on diplomacy, power, and control. But this wasn’t a lesson. This was a decree.

“You wished to see me, Mother?” His voice remained measured, though his mind still buzzed from his conversation with Emilia.

She gestured to the chair across from her, a flick of her wrist that carried the weight of command. “Sit.”

He obeyed, but made no effort to hide the tension in his posture. The Queen observed him for a long moment before speaking, her tone as smooth as glass.

“In the fall, you will propose to Genevieve.”

Alexander froze, the only sound was the ticking of the grand clock on the far wall.

She said it so simply, so effortlessly, as if she were announcinga policy decision rather than dictating the course of his entire life.

“Everything is arranged,” she continued, as if his reaction was irrelevant. “The council supports the match, as do Genevieve’s family and ours. It is a logical decision, and you know as well as I do that the law is clear. You will be king, but you cannot rule alone.”

Alexander’s fingers curled against the armrests of his chair. “I don’t love her.”

The Queen’s expression hardened almost imperceptibly. “Love is irrelevant to the monarchy.”

“Is it?” Alexander leaned forward, his voice low but firm. “Why should I marry someone I don’t love? For what purpose? This law is archaic, Mother. It serves no real function in modern governance.”

“The law exists for stability,” she replied coolly. “For continuity. For the good of Caledonia.”