Page 94 of Throne Off Course

Alexander let him have the deflection. He then stood up and started to pace in thought. “I still don’t know what to do.”

Sebastian stood and gave him a hard look. “Alexander, you’re going to be king. That means that you don’t have to play by their rules, you have a chance to make your own rules.” He turned, something vulnerable still lingering in his eyes. “If you actually want something, then for once in your life, start acting like it. Before it’s too late.”

He tossed back his drink and walked out, leaving Alexander with the crushing weight of truth.

Sebastian had barely made it three steps down the hall when Alexander called after him.

“Wait. You’re right.”

Sebastian blinked. “Did I just hear royal self-awareness? Or am I really just that drunk?”

“If I keep playing by their rules, I’ll lose Emilia and my self-respect with her.”

Sebastian leaned against the doorframe, trying to hide his surprise. “This is historic. I need a moment to savor it.”

Alexander shook his head, a faint smile tugging at his mouth. “I need a new strategy and I think I need your help.” He met Sebastian’s gaze, a new understanding between them. “Are you in?”

Sebastian stood up straighter. “Finally. I was tired of the prince-mopes-while-his-life-falls-apart montage.”

“First,” Alexander said, “we need to sway opinion with Parliament, but also with the public. We’re probably also going to need some kind of leverage with my mother.”

Mischief glinted in Sebastian’s eyes. “Sounds vaguely treasonous. I love it. Continue.”

Alexander nodded. “And I want Harper involved.”

Sebastian groaned. “Of course you do.”

“She’s Emilia’s friend, she’ll want to help,” Alexander pointed out. “And let’s be honest—if we don’t bring her in, she’s probably going to stir up her own trouble anyway.”

Sebastian huffed in exasperation as if the weight of the world rested solely on his shoulders. “Fantastic. Another round of ‘Harper Sinclair Knows Best.’ Remind me to take notes.”

Alexander gave him a knowing look. “You enjoy it.”

Sebastian’s mouth twitched. “I enjoy the battle. There’s a difference.”

“So just to clarify… are we going full scorched earth?”

Alexander exhaled, his expression unreadable for a long moment. Then, finally, for the first time in a long time, he didn’t seem hesitant.

“If that’s what it takes,” he said, voice quiet but firm, “then yes.”

Sebastian grinned, rocking back on his heels. The prospect of action—of finally having some control over his own narrative—felt like the first real thing he’d had in days.

“Oh, now we’re talking. Let’s ruin some lives.”

44

This Is Probably a Bad Idea (Let’s Do It Anyway)

Sebastian had insisted on calling it a war council, which Harper found both ridiculous and deeply appropriate.

The three of them sat in Alexander’s private study, an old-world sort of room with towering bookshelves, a fireplace that had long since burned out, and an air of history that clashed spectacularly with the absolute disaster they were about to discuss.

Harper, legs crossed, arms folded, listened as they laid out everything. The payments. The letters. The affair. The fact that Sebastian—Lord Sebastian Hawthorne, Viscount of Edgecliffe, heir to one of the most powerful noble houses in the country—was actually the illegitimate son of the late King James Philip.

She didn’t speak for a long time, which, for Harper, was a big deal. Finally, she leaned back, slowly exhaling. “Well. Holy shit.”

Sebastian lifted his glass. “Cheers.”