Chapter 3
Three
James
Dinner that night was a private affair with my new family, away from the nobility, so I could meet my new siblings.
Again.
I sat on King Patrick’s right, toying with my soup spoon as I took everyone’s measure. I’d been so nervous the first time I’d met them, wanting to start off on the right foot, I couldn’t really recall much of this dinner. Now that I knew everyone, I should be able to read them better.
King Patrick looked quite fine this evening, his dark brown hair brushed away from his face and resting on his collar, close-cropped beard freshly oiled.
He’d shed the outer mantle he wore during official business and left only the suit coat, far more relaxed for this family dinner.
I remembered him looking much older, but currently he’d be not quite sixty, so of course he’d appear younger.
Directly across from me sat Victor, who superficially looked a great deal like his mother, with the same thick black hair, blue eyes, and pale skin.
If you looked carefully, however, you’d see the signs of how his lifestyle already wreaked his destruction.
He was thin from not eating enough, and even cosmetics couldn’t hide the dark circles under his bloodshot eyes.
Likely from too much of whatever substance he’d spent the better part of the day imbibing. Could be alcohol or drugs, who knew?
He also glared at me as if I were to blame for every wrong thing happening in his life. That much hadn’t changed. Victor had looked at me like I was a thief and scumbag until the day he’d died.
Ignoring him for the moment, I glanced at Royce, who sat next to him.
He’d also inherited his mother’s dark hair, but his eyes were more of a golden brown, skin pale from spending all his time indoors researching things.
Royce was very much the academic and truly gifted with medicine.
I’d rely on him for his expertise later.
He seemed curious about me but not cautious.
Then again, Royce didn’t have an ambitious bone in his body.
Helena sat next to me, appraising me from the corner of her eye even as I studied her. I’d always been partial to her. She was quick of wit, and our personalities mixed well, which made me sad to think I’d not helped protect her from her horrid husband.
She, out of all the children, looked the most like her mother, just a few inches taller.
Her raven hair hung in a loose waterfall curl over one shoulder, blue eyes contoured with a hint of eye powder, and the deep blue dress brought out her complexion very well.
With her political sense and intelligence, I had high hopes for her.
Now, how did I encourage her misogynistic parents to see past gender and recognize their daughter’s talent?
I would love an answer, because I had no clue.
Queen Beatrice, who sat at the other end of the table, beamed at me. “James, how do you like your staff?”
“They’re splendid,” I answered truthfully. “You gave me the best of the best.”
She seemed pleased by my answer. “I certainly tried. Do tell me if you want to switch anyone out, though.”
I knew these people better than some friends and immediately waved this away. “They’re all very competent, so I don’t imagine that’ll be necessary. Did the revisions for the contract go through?”
“Yes. Galbraith made the adjustments, and Patrick and I approved them just before dinner.”
Victor stopped stabbing at his steak and gave me a squinty-eyed look. “What revisions?”
“Two stipulations. One stating I can’t inherit the throne and the other about not being given an arranged match of any sort.”
He froze, eyes as wide as startled prey. “Why would you even think to add those in?”
“It’s just to quell rumors, dear,” his mother said, soothing him. “People love to gossip, you know how it goes. They assumed we brought James in because we wanted to make him king—”
Victor slammed his knife down on the table, making everything jump and rattle. “Why would they think that when I’m here? I’ll be the next king!”
Actually, you’ll be the next royal corpse. In about, oh, a year? I blandly lifted my knife and fork and cut into my steak.
Queen Beatrice put on her polished court smile and moved the conversation along. “Once the adoption has gone through, I really must turn my attention to finding good partners for my sons. James, I know you said no arranged marriage for you, but I’m sure you wouldn’t mind—”
“I mind,” I interrupted firmly. “I do not need help in the romantic department, nor do I wish for it. I already have someone I wish to court. You can leave me be on this, please.”
Her face fell. “Oh. Already?”
I gave her an exasperated look. My life didn’t begin in this palace, Queen Beatrice.
Victor snorted and went back to stabbing his steak. “It’s not like anyone will want to marry an adopted prince, anyway.”
King Patrick cleared his throat and gave his son a reproving look. “If either of my sons were worth their weight, I wouldn’t need to adopt a third son to do their work.”
Both Victor and Royce flushed. Since it was true, there wasn’t much I could say. Let’s just move this conversation along…
I turned to Helena. “Would you do me the honor of helping me meet everyone? There’s very few of the aristocracy I can put a name and face to.”
Her head jerked back, but she smiled politely. “I’d be delighted. I’m surprised, however. I know you’re very active in social circles.”
“Yes, but those circles haven’t truly included aristocracy and were for business reasons, after all. My first five years in business, I found myself too busy to even socialize, so now I’m at a loss on who is who.”
Lies. I knew everyone at this point, but I shouldn’t know anyone at all. Having Helena introduce me would kill two birds with one stone—I could re-meet people and spend more time with her, which hopefully would facilitate a stronger relationship.
“I see. Well, I’m quite glad to do so.” Her expression grew wistful. “What’s it like, building a business?”
“Well, thankfully, I didn’t build one from the ground up. I expanded an established business, which was hard enough. I spent an ungodly amount of time in the office to get everything off the ground. It was thrilling, seeing the success of my ventures. Fulfilling in a way that’s hard to explain.”
Her wistfulness turned to sadness. “I suppose it’s something I’ll never experience.”
Before I could encourage her, King Patrick stepped in. “Helena, you’re a princess. Your duties lie elsewhere.”
She nodded silently and went back to eating.
I couldn’t strangle her parents, as much as I wished otherwise. Stop sidelining the poor girl. She’s the only child you have with any common sense about ruling! “I’m afraid I disagree. Just marrying and having children is the least of what my new sister is capable of, I’m sure.”
Helena looked up in surprise and then a true smile took over her face. “You mean that?”
“I do.”
Clearly, I would need to get her alone before I could have any kind of meaningful conversation with her. Royce as well. Perhaps a luncheon with just the siblings. Naturally, I did not include Victor in this invitation.
Queen Beatrice snorted in disagreement but said nothing, instead shifting us to another topic.
The conversation continued to be lighthearted, with nothing substantial added. Eventually, dinner ended, and a wave of relief swept through me. There were several things I wanted to do tonight, thinking being one of them, and it looked like I was finally done with the social obligations—
King Patrick lifted a staying hand. “James, speak with me for a moment.”
I side-eyed the door in longing—I had clearly thought too soon—before pasting on a smile. “Of course. What is it?”
He twisted in his chair to face me more directly, and even though his children and wife had left the room, he oddly kept his voice low, as if even the walls had ears.
“I’m very glad you agreed to this proposition of mine.
I always disliked how my uncle treated his bastard children.
Adopting you in feels like a way to make up for it. ”
Rich, considering he let his son father children irresponsibly and wouldn’t acknowledge them.
I also knew there was no point in saying so aloud.
I had tried in the first life, to no good end.
One of the first things I’d done upon becoming king was to set up funds and housing for those illegitimate children.
King Patrick spoke flowery words he didn’t mean.
Still, I smiled like I believed him. “I’m happy to have a family once more, since, as you know, mine are all in the grave.”
“Yes, that’s very unfortunate, but don’t think of it as having lost all your family. You’re still my cousin and now my son, are you not?”
“You know it sounds strange when you say it like that, right?”
He softly chuckled. “True, even though it’s fact. But be at home here, James.”
“I shall.” And this time, I would make it a home to suit me, not the other way around. “Also, please have my back if Mother starts having grand ideas of marrying me off. I was quite candid with her earlier.”
King Patrick’s face scrunched up. “I’ll do my best. She enjoys matchmaking. Why, I do not know, as she’s yet to be successful. Still, you’ve done us a great favor by agreeing to join the family and take on so many responsibilities. The least we can do is honor the promises you’ve asked for.”
Yes, that truly was the least of what you could do. Let’s see if you could manage it. “Speaking of work, I have quite a lot to learn and much to do tomorrow. I think I’ll turn in early.”
“Of course, of course. Rest well. And reach out to me if you need help. I don’t intend to throw you into the deep end.”
“I will. Good night. Father.”
King Patrick chuckled again at the sarcasm and waved me on. Well, at least he appreciated the joke.
I went on my merry way, not sure if tonight’s dinner had been a success or not. At least I knew where I stood currently with the family, and it wasn’t too much of a surprise.
But truly, I must have a private luncheon with Helena and Royce. There were things I needed from them, and things I must do for them, to better all of our futures. Although how I’d go about some of it, I wasn’t quite sure.
Definitely time for a good, long think.