Page 81 of Undertow
I snorted. “I will handle your station.” I smiled when she raised an eyebrow. “I’m about to be queen. It does come with certain influence and power. I will make sure you’re not reprimanded for being honest after I apparently forced you to do this against your will. I’m horrified you were forced. Someone could have told me you weren’t interested.”
She was lost for words for a moment again but recovered fast. “I’m honestly touched you care that much, Your Highness.”
I frowned. “You’re one of my people, June. Of course I care. No one should be forced to do anything against their wishes ever. Even an interview—either of us. I could have done this with someone else. I asked for you. I understand telling a member of the royal family no isn’t easy, but I would have understood.”
“That begs the question why you wanted me?”
I smiled. “Because you don’t like me,butyou’re fair and the only one who doesn’t like me simply because I’m a woman. Our nation is much more sexist than most will admit, and many aren’t happy there’s not another king to rule and are treating meas if I’ll be queen regent for whatever male heir I’ll birth. They’re acting like I’ll be an interim queen.”
“It is rather unsettling,” she accepted.
I gave a nod of acknowledgment. “More than you know. But you’re a decorated and highly-established woman of morals and character in a male-dominated field. The only criticism about you is what they would praise in men. I wanted you because I knew you would be fair, but I cannot do this if you aren’t willing. I’m sorry you were forced to be here.”
Something soft filled her eyes. “I wasn’t forced like that, Your Highness. I could have refused. I could have quit. I accepted.”
“You don’t want to be here.”
She was quiet a few moments. “Honestly? No, I didn’t. I didn’t want a fluff piece that my director told me to come get and say how pretty you were and push exactly what you were talking about. I didn’t care to meet you after all I’ve heard about you, and that makes me part of the problem with our nation. For that, I’m sorry as well.”
I kept my composure but shock rocked me. “I can’t blame people for the rumors given my unorthodox upbringing. All I ask is that they give me a real chance and stop to listen to the truth now.”
“I’d like to hear it. Here of my own free will now that I know this isn’t a fluff piece and my own curiosity after talking with you.”
I cracked a smile. “Plus, the food is amazing at the castle. Most just want to come for the food.”
She chuckled and shook her head. “Not the cold-hearted princess we’ve all heard of then.”
I sighed. “I am. I can admit that. I can admit that I don’t have a magical laugh like Princess Treena and I’m colder than most. But so much of that is sexism. I would be focusedand driven if I was a man. I’m cold and flighty—a professional student as a woman instead of an academic and a well-educated man.”
“I’ve faced the same. I do know some of the whispers are because your mother was known for being so warm and caring,” she said gently.
“Yes, well, I was raised to be a ruler like my father. Hopefully, my mate can be the caring, loving one as she was for him,” I replied easily, ignoring when Treena snorted.
“Clearly, there is something on your mind and a reason I’m here if this was arranged fast and before the coronation. I assume you’re doing this against the advice of others with the tension I’m feeling in this room.”
I bit back a smirk. “This is why I wanted you. I prefer dealing with smart people when we’re all busy.” I was glad she took that as the intended compliment. “But to start, there’s a bit of a history lesson needed. Do you know how the founding of our nation happened?”
She studied me a moment. “I’m more into current events—which you know if you are familiar with my resume—and global politics. I’m assuming you don’t mean the legends of how the gods made dragons and our role in the world.”
“No, something much simpler and just about Thovudin,” I replied. “The stories in ancient texts that most don’t teach anymore about the warring tribes of dragons and how we almost decimated our nation before it had even begun.”
Her eyes flashed shock. “The story of how the De la Rosa family was chosen to lead.”
I bit back a grin. “Not a story as if fiction, but truly my family’s history. Neither of us was there, so I don’t take offense. But yes, that one dragon moved between the tribes and, with the blessing of the gods, showed the strength needed to unite themunder one leader. One to bring seventeen together in a future of peace.”
“I vaguely remember,” she muttered.
“After the original treaties and accords were signed, there were seventeen days of celebrations and feasts,” I told her. “Offerings to the gods and acts of service from the first king to pledge his devotion to his new role and people.”
The curiosity in her eyes was amusing. “Sounds nice.”
“It does,” I agreed. “And the original coronation was a huge feast on the last day with bounty from each area to show that while we had many types of dragons and tribes, we were one people united. The first king was crowned in plain white robes amongst the bounty of the land with his leaders and people showing what was important—not him.”
“That’s very different from the coronation now as I know it,” she hedged.
“It is, and I want to go back to the original celebration, but the high priest and elders won’t let me.” I chuckled darkly when her mouth fell open. “I know, funny, right? I was told it’s against tradition and I would anger the gods changing what I had no right to.”
“The elders have to confirm you to be queen though.”
