“One.”
The silence stretched. Aldric shook his head. “One.”
“One.”
“You want second interviews with one candidate,” Helena said flatly. “Lord Finn.”
“He was the only one I could actually talk to.” Darragh returned to the table, bracing his hands on the back of his chair. “He’s the only one who said anything interesting or that made sense. He was the only person who wasn’t thinking about what might impress me or secure a political advantage for themselves.”
“He told you he was unsuitable for the position!” Aldric’s voice rose. “Multiple times!”
“And I appreciated his honesty.”
“Your Majesty.” Helena’s tone shifted to the one she’d used when Darragh was younger and being particularly stubborn about something. “You need a consort who can help you host the summit. Someone who understands protocol, who can navigate court politics, who won’t accidentally insult visiting dignitaries.”
“Finn wouldn’t insult anyone. He’s too honest for that.”
“That’s precisely the problem,” Thomas muttered.
Darragh shot him a look. “You want me to marry someone who lies?”
“We want you to marry someone who understands diplomacy,” Aldric said. “A person who knows when to speak and when to remain silent. Someone who won’t tell the Brevarian ambassador that his trade proposal is idiotic.”
“Even if it is?”
“Especially if it is!” Aldric’s face was getting redder by the minute. “Your Majesty, please. The summit is in six months. We need someone who can handle the social aspects, someone who makes Safe Harbor look refined and sophisticated.”
“Someone, someone, someone. Why?” Darragh pulled out his chair and sat down, fixing each adviser with a steady look. “Why do we need to look refined? Why do we need to pretend we’re something we’re not?”
“Because perception matters,” Helena said quietly. “You know this.”
“Finn said the same thing. And then he said we should focus on being effective instead of performing refinement.” Darragh leaned forward. “What if he’s right? What if trying to be something we’re not is exactly why the other kingdoms don’t take us seriously?”
“That’s a very romantic notion,” Aldric said. “But the reality is that appearances do matter. Fair or not, the other kingdoms judge us based on court protocols and social graces.”
“Then they’re judging the wrong things.”
“That doesn’t change the fact that they’re judging.” Helena’s voice was firm but not unkind. “Darragh, we’re not saying Lord Finn is a bad person. We’re saying he’s not equipped for this role.”
“Neither was I, when I became king.” Darragh met her eyes. “My father died suddenly. I was thirty. I’d trained for leadership, sure, but I’d never expected to take the throne for another twenty years. And you know what? I figured it out. I learned what I needed to learn, and I ignored the rest.”
“You had advisers to guide you,” Thomas pointed out.
“And Finn would have the same. He’d have all of you, plus me, and every resource the castle offers.” Darragh drummed his fingers on the table. “He’s smart. He picks things up quickly. Did you notice how he understood the governance structure just from talking to villagers?”
“Book learning and practical application are different things,” Aldric said.
“It’s a good thing I need someone practical then.” Darragh smiled, but there was steel underneath it. “You’ve been tellingme for two years that I should get married. That I need a consort who can soften my rough edges, make me look more settled, and help me host the summit. Well, I’m telling you now Finn is the only candidate who’s made me want to actually try it.”
The advisers exchanged worried glances.
“Your Majesty,” Helena said carefully. “Are you perhaps...attracted to Lord Finn?”
“What if I am?” Darragh kept his voice level. “Again. You’re not listening. I made it clear that the only person I would marry would have to interest me. I wanted someone I could have actual conversations with - not someone who just agreed with every word coming out of my mouth. You know I’m looking for someone genuine, and Finn is all those things. For goodness’ sake, marriage is for life. Do you want me to be bored for the rest of my existence? I honestly don’t think I’d be bored with Finn.”
“He’s also completely inexperienced in court life,” Thomas said. “Your Majesty, even if you’re attracted to him, that doesn’t mean he’s suitable for the role.”
“Why not? My parents were a love match. They figured it out.” Darragh stood again, too restless to sit still. “My father picked my mother because he couldn’t stop thinking about her. Because she made him laugh. Because she challenged him. And they built one of the strongest royal partnerships Safe Harbor has ever seen.”
