Chapter 1 #2
But it also seemed like it would be a crime against the gods’ best work if he ever lost his looks. His strong jaw and plump lips that made women jealous. His piercing light blue eyes that were the perfect shade against the amethyst streaks in his hair that void dragons had.
Even how he wore his hair short and no-nonsense, perfectly sticking up like he didn’t care.
“I am the only one to give you and the soon-to-be Queen’s Guard orders going forward. I don’t know who tried to install themselves as regent in a matter of hours, but it’s expressly against our laws.” I swallowed a snort when several people went tense.
Did they think I wouldn’t know that?
Oh, some people were in for a rude awakening.
“But maybe there was a reason Mother and Father wanted you to learn the law and the handling of the laws so well?”
Probably. My dragon was right. Maybe there was more to all the schooling they sent me off to besides trying to hide how different I was.
Maybe.
“Lock the throne room and station guards here with strict orders that anyone else who tries to hold a meeting here against my parents’ explicit rules and wishes is committing treason hours after their deaths, and I will enforce the punishment without hesitation in their honor even if they’re gone,” I ordered Benson.
“Yes, Your Highness,” he accepted, relief thick in his eyes.
I met the elder’s pissed-off gaze. “I will forgive you this one time after your years of loyal service, assuming you didn’t want things to fall into chaos while I was out of the country, but I’m here now. You are no longer needed to try and step outside of your role. I know mine.”
He dipped his head to me. “Thank you for understanding my intentions, Your Highness. I simply wished to handle as much as possible while you had a chance to accept your new reality and grieve.”
“Grief and most emotions are a luxury royals aren’t allowed, Elder,” I said, echoing what my father had told me and others many times.
“I know my duty and will do it.” I focused on Benson again.
“I want a meeting with you and all the castle managers. Protocols need to be put into place, and I want an update on the investigation into the crash.”
“That’s not needed, Princess,” a different elder said quietly, something extra in his voice. “We’ve heard the recordings from the pilots that the weather was bad, but the king commanded they fly on still because he could not risk disappointing you after your fight.”
Benson swore under his breath, and it took all I had to not crack my armor.
I slowly looked at the elder with his death in my eyes. “I don’t know what point you just tried to score there, but it was marked in a way you won’t like. This was not the company in which you should ever have repeated privileged information you had about the king’s words. Ever.”
“Sagan, he just meant that—” Elira started to say.
I locked in on her. “I am Princess Sagan or Your Highness to you. You will stop this, Elira, or be banished from the castle. And yes, I can do that.”
Tears filled her eyes. “I know you don’t think of me as a sister, but I loved your parents and hoped this could bring us closer to—”
“Lots of people loved my parents,” I interrupted her. “Millions.”
“I’m more than that,” she choked out.
“Yes, you’re one of the hundreds of wards my parents have protected and taken care of.
” It was hard not to smirk when she flinched.
“But now more than ever, we all need to keep to their rules and wishes. If they wanted you to be an adopted daughter of the royal family, they would have, Elira. They didn’t.
Do not abuse their kindness and memory again. ”
“Yes, Princess Sagan,” she rasped, playing the victim.
Like always.
Getting her out is a priority before she turns things around into a cliché that I’m bullying her and distracts from real issues.
I glanced back at the elders. “And whatever privilege you had where you were allowed to speak for my parents died with them as is the law. I called to smooth things over with the dean of my college and was informed someone already had.” I stared them down in turn.
“None of you has the right or permission to speak for me.
“Do not make that error in judgment again and disrespect my parents and their laws.” I felt better when a few flinched. “This is a difficult and tumultuous time. It is not the time for too many cooks in the kitchen. The proper chef is here, and I will handle all matters as needed.”
“Yes, of course, Princess, but—” one started to say.
I locked my gaze on him. “I’m not a child and I know when to ask for help or advice.
” I gestured to Benson. “As I did, but others ordered him away. That’s undermining my parents and me, and most would consider it treason.
Do not overstep again. Everyone will have to adjust, and we will find our new normal after my parents are properly mourned.
“I will forgive all of this as an attempt to help me, but I will not forgive it again as it’s overstepping the authority anyone has and undermines mine. And that is unacceptable at a time everyone will be watching us and how the nation handles this change in leadership.”
“Understood, Your Highness,” Benson and the guards said loudly… While a few elders mumbled it and Elira sniffled something.
I met the gaze of the elder I was most worried about, Elder Hardin, my mother always hating him. “I will not forgive it again. No matter your good intentions or the child you might still see me as, I am no longer her, and I’m your future queen. Respect that and all my parents have built.”
Steam practically came out of his ears as he understood the rest of that sentence even if I didn’t say it.
Or lose everything you have and I will do it without a second thought.
I swallowed a snort. I’d do it gladly because I’d have a reason to.