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“Your Majesty,” I greet.
He stands and comes around to the front of his desk. “Diarmuid when we’re in private, Abigail,” he says with a smile.
He leans against the desk, and I relax. He doesn’t seem upset.
“Okay,” I say. “Then you have to call me Abi.”
He tips his head. “Torin calls you Abigail.”
I nod. “He’s the only one.”
“Ah. Then Abi it is.” He gestures to the chairs in front of him.
I take the closest one, crossing one leg over the other. “Are you upset about the scene at the pub last night?” I ask. I’m sure he’s seen the videos by now.
“That’s exactly what I was going to ask you,” he says.
I’m surprised, but I say honestly, “I’m not. Anymore. Actually, it’s kind of my fault he got to that point.”
Diarmuid nods. “I know how that feels. There are a few things he’s done where it’s been my fault he got to that point.”
I relax further and give him a smile. “I think you are one of the reasons he was drawn to me when we met.”
The king looks interested. “Is that right?”
“He’s used to being challenged by people who love him, and he knows, deep down, it’s a form of support and love—making sure he’s really up to the things we will demand from him. But he loves winning us over and proving himself.”
Diarmuid nods. “I think you’re exactly right.” He pauses, then says, “Linnea would have been an excellent queen.”
I lift a brow. “I agree.” What can I say? Linnea Olsen is awesome.
“But she would not have made Torin as great a king as you will.”
I’m astonished. I sit a little straighter. “Oh.”
“She would have done any number of great things. She would have led the country. She would have made good decisions. But you will make Torin do great things. You will help him lead the country. You will support him in his decisions. And he’ll do the same for you. With Linnea we would have had a great queen. With you, we will have a great queen and king.”
My heart is pounding. I swallow. “You don’t think Linnea would have helped Torin be great?”
“She would have advised him. Encouraged him. He might have even listened. But you will make him want to do it. You’ve helped him find purpose. Standing beside someone, as he would have with Linnea, is different from standing with someone, as he will with you.”
I suddenly feel stinging at the back of my eyes. I blink. “So you’re not worried about him leaving Cara?”
“No. His heart is here.” He smiles at me. “Because you are here.”
I sniff. “But I could leave. I’m an American.”
“You’re not going to leave Cara, Abi,” Diarmuid says confidently.
I’m not going to leave, but I don’t know how he knows that. “You’re sure?”
“Of course, I’m sure. You know he’s going to be a great king. You want that for him. Because you love him. And he needs to be here to do that. So you’ll stay.”
I swallow hard. Then simply nod. Because he’s right.
“You believe he’s going to be a great king, too,” I say.
“I do.”
