Chapter 12 #2
“I agree completely. I’m not na?ve, I know I’ll be saddled with a political marriage, but I refuse to marry such garbage.”
“Quite honestly, I don’t believe in political marriages. They usually end with mistakes.”
Royce blinked at me from behind his glasses. “What a refreshing opinion.”
“Is that why you put the clause in your adoption contract?” Helena watched me like a hawk. “The one saying you couldn’t be forced into a marriage.”
“Yes, definitely. I sold your mother on the idea that it was to stop the naysayers from thinking I’d marry you to cement my line of succession, so she didn’t argue with me about it.
But honestly speaking, I refuse to sacrifice my personal happiness because your parents want to reach some political goal.
I’m worth more than that. So are you. And you, Royce. ”
Both siblings beamed. They really didn’t look much alike on the surface until they smiled like that, then the relationship became obvious.
“Quite right. I’m a princess; I’m not marrying some idiot lout to meet my mother’s goals.” Helena nodded firmly. “I look forward to your help, James.”
“I think you and I should also have a meeting to talk this through, come up with a strategy to break the engagement. That said…I think we should form a pact. Your Mother, bless her heart, might like matchmaking, but she’s proven to be very bad at it.
If she tries to match any of us, the other two should step in to prevent it from happening. ”
Royce lifted his glass immediately. “I’m in.”
Helena and I clinked glasses with him, and I smiled. I’d secured both allies and a sibling bond in the space of a luncheon. This had gone better than I’d imagined.
I ate lunch with them, talked of what they needed, and they reciprocated by asking me what I needed in return. I did want some support on a few minor matters, mostly to help me form a better relationship with them.
We lost Royce after the food was eaten, as he was eager to get back and prepare for his meeting with me, and I let him go without an argument.
The very second he was out of earshot, Helena locked her attention on me.
“James. You say you do not want the throne. Nor do you think Victor should be on it. Who do you think should be king? Royce?”
“Ha, no. Not even Royce would want that. No, I think you should be on the throne.”
For a moment, Helena was utterly speechless. Her jaw dangled for a full second before she managed to snap it back into place. “Me?!”
“You’re more capable than your brothers.
” I smiled, hoping she could tell I meant it.
“Royce is smart, but he’s not people savvy, nor does he want the headache of politics.
He’d rather be in his lab. I think no one’s taken you seriously because of your gender, and that’s their mistake.
One’s sexual organs have no bearing on their intelligence or capabilities.
It’s stupid to think otherwise. You’re clever with people, have good sense, and I think you’d make a good queen.
Someone needs to give you the chance. I’m in full support of you. ”
Helena’s eyes grew bright with unshed tears. “James. I could hug you.”
“I don’t mind.” I held out both arms in invitation.
She promptly got up and threw both arms around my shoulders.
I hugged her back tightly, grinning against her shoulder.
Phew, I had convinced her that I really was on her side.
Especially in regard to this. I’d seen how she was treated, how she was dismissed by her own parents, and I wanted her to know that at least one person saw her true potential and worth.
I’d made the first step here, but I’d reinforce it whenever possible.
Leaning back, she gave me a smile before retaking her seat. “I’m now glad my parents adopted you.”
“My mission in life is to make them regret it.” I winked and got a gamine grin in return. “That said, Helena, I know people aren’t taking you seriously or training you on how to be a good ruler. So, I make you this offer—want me to teach you?”
She didn’t even hesitate. “Yes.”
“I thought that’d be your answer. Excellent.
Start with me tomorrow? I wasn’t just appeasing Royce—I do think he’s on to something that’ll be helpful to the whole country.
Marketed right, we can also make a mint off the cure by selling it to other countries.
It’ll be a good mini project for you to help me manage.
Something to show you the ropes as you get your feet under you. ”
“I’m all for it.” Helena’s head cocked to the side. “Did you really hear Royce out and immediately think of how to make a profit from the cure?”
I spread my hands almost apologetically. “I am a businessman first and foremost.”
“Well, I suppose that’s to be expected, then.”
“As for your own personal matter, do you have evidence against your fiancé?”
“Oh, a great deal. The man’s not even capable of forming complete sentences.”
“Bring all of it with you. It might take a while for us to find the crucial thing to overturn your engagement, but I want us to be actively working on it.”
“That I can definitely do.”
We chatted a bit more before I went back to work, and I knew Helena would start gathering up evidence the second she returned to her rooms. I wasted no time either, starting as soon as I returned to my office.
I stood at my desk at the front of the room, facing the line of desks arranged perpendicular to it, and clapped once to get everyone’s attention.
I waited until all heads came up and faced me. “Two things. First, Royce is searching for a cure for salence. I think this is a very worthy cause and want to support him. If there’s a budget we can allot to his research, I want to hear about it.”
Hartman immediately lifted his hand. “Health Fund. It’s designated for medical research and prevention and is barely touched.”
“Perfect. Pull the record for the account. I want to look it over before Royce comes in tomorrow. Also, someone cobble together a quick and dirty campaign to tell people how to prevent this disease once we know the steps. I want the information out as quickly as we can manage it.”
Roland lifted a hand this time. “We’ve got a campaign outline we use for situations like this.”
“Good, show me in a minute. Next thing I need done. I have promised Helena I will help her break her engagement.” When everyone looked relieved, I shrugged. “I can’t let either my sister or my country suffer because of that fool. I need more information we can use to break the engagement. Who—”
Stedman was out of his chair in a second flat. “Your Highness, please let me gather it.”
Stedman had missed his calling as a spy, so I was okay with this.
“All right, do it. Pull funds from my personal budget for expenses. I know for a fact Gillespie has three bastard children and is in bed—not literally, figuratively—with Victor, so start there. I’ll give you what information I have.
I want results, and I want them by the end of next month. Can you do that?”
“I will do my absolute best.” More honestly, Stedman tacked on, “It really shouldn’t be hard. He’s very obviously stupid.”
“Ha, can’t agree more. Okay, that’s my two tasks for you right now. Everyone support Stedman if you find something out. For now, back to work. Hartman, show me that record.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
I was making progress. I had time to make progress, too. I wouldn’t be scrambling after the fact to change things like I had in my first life.
Pleased with the events of today, I took my seat behind my desk. I, too, had work to do.