Chapter 7
Seven
Edwin
I stood well off to the side of the throne room, watching as my new boss signed the adoption paperwork, overseen by Supreme Judge Gideon Galbraith. The event was highly formal, with everyone in their best finery, the throne room at standing capacity only.
Being a person of no importance whatsoever, I had managed to secure a spot near the back doors, shoulder to shoulder with my colleagues.
Someone joined us, judging by the nudging of shoulders, and finally Ramsey arrived at my elbow.
He was a thin man, his posture stooped by age, hair dyed black and kept in a straight tail at the nape of his neck.
“All right?” I asked him with due concern.
Ramsey had worked with the queen since she was five years old.
He knew everything and was one of those people I depended on for solutions.
That said, the man should have retired five years ago, in my opinion.
I worried about him on days like this with a great deal of fussing going on.
“Phew.” He huffed for breath for a second. “I am now. You missed the show.”
“I am, as always, happy to have missed it.”
He snickered. “Too right there. We’ve enough drama on our plates without them adding more on, hmm?
Still, felt I should fill you in. Our crown prince was in a high duff earlier, going on and on about how his parents don’t trust him and this was just the first step in giving the throne to someone else. ”
I wasn’t surprised. Crown Prince Victor had been bemoaning and whining since the topic of adopting Prince James had been broached.
We all knew why Their Majesties didn’t trust him, too—the only thing Prince Victor seemed to be good at in life was racking up debts and getting women pregnant.
The man absolutely never worked. As a prince, he had a long list of duties, all of which he ignored.
He wouldn’t even show up to council meetings he was in charge of.
He would not be a good ruler, and even he seemed to be aware of it, but he didn’t want to give up his position.
Frankly, his position as prince was the only thing that kept him from debtor’s prison.
“I thought his mother was going to strangle him, and then Prince James swooped in with a copy of the adoption paperwork and showed it to Prince Victor. Specifically the clause that said he couldn’t be made king.
There’s quite the penalty attached—if anyone tries to force Prince James into taking the throne, the whole adoption becomes null and void, and Prince James can walk right out. ”
I’d never in my life seen someone so adamant about not being given more power.
Frankly, I found it strange, but it spoke well of Prince James’s character.
He was clearly not here for selfish reasons.
“He told us he wasn’t here to usurp the throne but to help whoever becomes the next monarch rule well. He apparently meant it.”
“Not a greedy man, that’s my take on him. He’s charming, for sure, and has a knack for putting people at ease.” Ramsey quirked a brow. “What’s your impression after working with him the past week?”
That he was stunningly beautiful. I’d never in my life seen a man possess that kind of rugged beauty.
The first time I’d laid eyes upon him, I’d had to stop and gather my scattered wits, as he’d quite knocked me breathless.
Today, especially, he looked breathtaking.
Caesar had put Prince James in a dark navy blue suit with the royal red and gold embroidered on his vest. The combination suited him very well.
The tailoring emphasized the strength of his legs and the broadness of his shoulders in all the right ways.
They’d done some sort of elaborate braid with his hair that ended in a sleek tail in the back to make room for the prince’s circlet, which had somehow softened his austere jawline.
It took conscious effort to not just stare at the man and drool.
I was not about to say that aloud.
“He’s charming, as you said. Incredibly quick-witted.
We presented all the new responsibilities he’d assume, and he had his head wrapped around all of them within an hour.
I can see how he’s made King’s Paper what it is.
His business acumen is acute. I’d expected someone who was more of a figurehead, if that makes sense? ”
“Good at speeches, bad at problem solving?” Ramsey almost stated it more than asked.
“Yes, precisely. But he’s not. He’s very good at solving problems, and he’s quick to make decisions.
Equally quick to listen if we tell him something’s not the best decision.
I’ve never met a more down-to-earth royal in my life.
He’s also the type to foresee problems—he’s actually taking a trip tomorrow to make sure the demon portal is resealed.
Said he doesn’t want it looming over our heads and would rather be safe than sorry. It’s…refreshing?”
“To have someone anticipate problems and work for their solutions without being reminded of it three thousand times?” Ramsey snorted, eyes rolling expressively. “Indeed, very refreshing. That’s not all you think of him, though.”
“He’s a little weird,” I admitted. “He’s so personable, it almost feels like he’s flirting. I’m used to royalty being standoffish not…cuddly?”
Jo Ann stirred next to me and muttered, “Man’s about as dangerous as a teddy bear wrapped in cotton candy.”
I pointed down to her. “What she said. Except, well, Sir Collins accidentally startled him once and Prince James almost punched him in the throat. He apologized immediately, but…it was odd. We weren’t in any kind of danger, so I’m not sure why he reacted in such a way.
Should a businessman have warrior reflexes? ”
Ramsey gave us both an enigmatic quirk of his brow. “The Wilton Archery Competition, you know of it?”
I nodded slowly. I wasn’t huge into competition or sports, but everyone had heard of that one.
It was highly competitive, with every known country in the world sending their best archers to compete once a year.
Those who won could practically name their salary if they were hired on as a guard or hunter.
Ramsey pointed to Prince James, where he now stood next to the royal family, watching as the king and queen signed the papers.
“You’re looking at the champion. Five years running, no less, until they asked him to stop competing.”
Startled, I whipped my head around to look at Prince James with new eyes. He’d won five years in a row?! He must be an incredibly talented archer. All right, I’d revise my opinion of him.
“So…cuddly but dangerous,” Jo Ann muttered thoughtfully. “Huh. I didn’t see that coming. Explains the calluses on his hands, though.”
True, his hands were rough—not the soft and polished skin of a prince. Then again, our princes weren’t anything noteworthy, so that wasn’t much of a measuring stick.
The ceremony wrapped up, we all politely clapped, and then I scooted out the door to do a quick jog, wrapping around the massive throne room to the small side entrance leading into the antechamber just behind the dais.
Ramsey stayed in step with me the whole way, as we needed to be on call for anything the royals wished done.
Such was the responsibility I’d taken upon myself. With a massive pay bump.
I made it through the side door a full minute before the royal family retreated to the antechamber.
I gave them a polite bow and then stationed myself against the wall.
Part of me dearly wished for something to settle my stomach.
What with my nerves about meeting my new boss and all the work it had entailed, my damn stomach had been a jittery mess the past few weeks.
As much as I longed for some peppermint tea, I didn’t have time to fetch anything.
The second Prince James came into the room, he beelined for me, looking concerned for some reason, his hand already reaching into a pocket.
“Here,” he said without segue, pressing something into my hand. “I’ve got more on me, but that should last you a bit. I’ll get us out of here quick. We’ve too much to do for me to laze about anyway.”
I had no time to respond before he turned and went back to the family, speaking with the king directly. Instead, I turned my attention to the white cloth bag—a confectioner’s type of bag with a simple drawstring—in my hand. Opening it, I found medicinal peppermints.
I, uh…the hell? Had he deliberately gotten me these? But how the hell did he even know about my stomach issues? And why would he care?
Bewildered, I nevertheless took one and popped it into my mouth. The candy was good, more peppermint than sugar, and the relief settled in as I sucked on it.
The queen summoned Ramsey, so I just stood there, mentally calculating when I could have the next one. There were only four in the pouch, and I still had a good six hours to go before I could retire for the night.
Prince James somehow won free of everyone, though, after another ten minutes of chatting. He gave his new parents a hug, his siblings a wave, then headed for the door, waving me to him as he walked. I immediately fell into step with him, then moved so I was one step behind.
“No, don’t do that,” he said, urging me back into position with him. “I hate talking to people behind me. It’s so incredibly awkward. Walk at my side.”
I uneasily did as ordered. “Palace protocol dictates I stay at least a step behind.”
Prince James paused at the hall intersection and gave me his full attention. Slightly unnerving, I must admit, those brilliant green eyes penetrating, like he could see everything about me.