Chapter 18
Sagan
I decided to go for broke to handle several of my problems at once. I knew no one would like it—on my side or against me—but my gut told me it was the right move.
Or it would blow up in my face.
But I didn’t like any of my other options. I really didn’t, and after being backed in a corner already and forced into this ridiculous idea of seventeen suitors… I was losing sight of the chessboard in front of me.
It was time to admit that. I wasn’t raised at court, the castle, or even the capital, and my adversaries all had that advantage.
So it was time to use the advantages I had.
It was time to stop playing so much fucking defense.
Treena was beside herself when she heard what I was doing and the strings I was pulling. She begged me to wait until Darren arrived and to talk to him about it, but I knew he would talk me out of it.
Which was why I’d jumped on it Thursday morning before he arrived for dinner.
Onyx interrupted at one point and handed me what looked like a keychain.
He told me if anything else happened with Kole to press the button and he’d handle it.
I had no idea what that meant, but I muttered a thank-you and simply slipped it into my pocket before focusing back on what I’d been working on.
Handle what? Kole should be packed up and out of the castle already, right? I ended things and told him to leave with his friends.
What was there to handle?
I shook it off and focused on where my head needed to be.
I was a bit shocked that it was so easy to set everything up, but it turned out the person I wanted was already in the capital.
And every news station was tripping over themselves to get any sort of interview or quote from me about… Anything.
Anything really.
So they made it happen and fast before I could change my mind.
Or anyone talked me out of it like others wanted.
Especially because I wanted it live.
All of my plans went out the window when I realized something important once the intro was done.
“It seems I owe you an apology,” I told the news correspondent, June. We were sitting in one of the formal sitting rooms that had been on camera before—one designated for this sort of thing.
Her eyes flashed shock and she was at a loss for words.
Everyone in the room couldn’t hide their surprise either. Her assistant, the two cameramen, Treena, and Myriam all stood there with a range of shocked expressions.
I let out a slow breath. “You don’t want to be here.” I shook my head when she opened her mouth. “No, I’m not starting this on a lie—with lies when I wanted to do this to be transparent and start my rule off on the right foot. And I would never—I apologize. I never considered…”
Treena sighed from off camera.
“Never considered what, Your Highness?” June hedged.
I chuckled darkly. “This is already going so well. What a way to start this.”
“Your desire to be honest and respectful of all people is your greatest attribute and weakness, Sagan,” Treena said. “It always has been.”
I gave a half shrug and focused on June. “I will sound like the spoiled princess some accused me of, but I never considered you wouldn’t want the interview. I never considered you wouldn’t want to be here.”
She licked her lips as too much danced in her eyes. “I appreciate what you’re thinking, Your Highness, but you are able to say—”
Anything I wanted. But she couldn’t.
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, but you’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 me as 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 focused and 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 them under 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.”
“No, not when a large portion of them tried to throw a coup the day after my parents died and force me to mate people of their choosing so I was controlled,” I told her, spilling the beans.
“The Alphas have all confirmed me after reviewing the evidence that all the elders knew of the plot and didn’t warn me.
It’s why I’ll be doing away with the elder system. ”
One of the cameramen couldn’t cover his reaction and started choking.
I shot him an amused look. “You should have been there when I learned they were extorting me with four mates they would puppet and then planned to raise my child as their puppet to control the future king.”
“You have to be joking,” June whispered.