“If I agree to this - if…” He held up a hand as all four advisers started to smile. “I’m still not marrying someone who bores me. I don’t care how good their family is or how perfect their manners are. If they can’t hold a conversation, if they just agree with everything I say, if they’re only interested in the crown, then it’s no deal.”
“Of course, Your Majesty.” Aldric was practically vibrating with excitement.
“And I’m not going through some ridiculous courtship ritual.” Darragh stood again, needing to move. “I don’t have time for elaborate dances and formal dinners and whatever other nonsense you’re probably planning.”
“We could arrange informal meetings,” Helena suggested. “Perhaps at the castle, but in a casual setting. Your study or the library. After the interview process, of course.”
“The courtyard even,” Thomas offered. “It’s pleasant in the afternoons.”
“Fine.” Darragh rubbed the back of his neck. “But I want it made clear - absolutely clear - that I’m looking for someone honest. Someone real. Not some polished noble who’s going to simper and curtsy and tell me what they think I want to hear.”
“We’ll include that in the announcement,” Marvin said quickly. “We’ll emphasize that you value honesty and genuine connection.”
“And intelligence.” Darragh pointed at Aldric. “I want someone smart. Someone who can keep up with conversations about trade agreements, shipbuilding, and politics. Not just someone who looks good at parties.”
“Intelligence, honesty, interesting personality.” Aldric was making notes. “Anything else?”
“Someone who won’t bore me,” Darragh repeated. “That’s the most important part. I can handle a lot of things, but I cannot handle being bored for the rest of my life.”
“I’d break the poor girl,” he added, more to himself than them. “Imagine six months of some delicate noble woman trying to change me, trying to make me more refined - I’d drive her crazy inside a week.”
“Perhaps it wouldn’t be a woman,” Helena said quietly.
The room went very still. Darragh turned to look at her, one eyebrow raised.
“The succession is secure,” she continued, meeting his gaze steadily. “Your nephew is your heir, and the laws are satisfied. And quite frankly, Your Majesty, you’ve never shown much interest in women beyond friendship.”
“Helena?” It wasn’t that Darragh was against the idea, but he needed to know why his advisers thought it was a good idea in the first place.
“I’m simply stating facts.” She lifted her chin. “If we’re truly looking for someone who won’t bore you, someone you could actually build a partnership with, perhaps we shouldn’t limit ourselves to half the single population.”
Darragh stared at her. Then, at the other three advisers, who were suddenly very interested in the floor, the ceiling, in other words, anywhere but at him.
“You’ve already discussed this,” he said flatly.
“We’ve...considered all options,” Aldric admitted.
“And you think I’d be better matched with a man.”
“We think you’d be better matched with someone who shares your interests,” Marvin corrected. “Someone who can talk about ships and trade. Someone who isn’t expecting a traditional royal marriage.”
“Someone who can handle your personality,” Thomas added, then he winced. “I think that came out wrong.”
“No, it didn’t.” Darragh surprised himself by laughing. “Actually, you’re right. I’d probably be a terrible husband to some proper noble lady. She’d spend her whole life trying to get me to act more kingly, and I’d spend mine making her miserable by refusing.”
He walked back to the window, watching the ships in the harbor. One was being guided into dock by the harbor master’s crew. It always fascinated him how those people always made the act look so easy.
“Fine,” he said. “Put out your call. Any eligible candidates from society families. I’ll meet them, talk to them, see if anyone can hold a conversation without boring me to tears.”
“Your Majesty…”
“But if this is another disaster like the last time, I’m never having this conversation again.” Darragh turned back to face them. “You get one more shot at this. Find me someone who won’t bore me, someone who can be honest, someone who isn’t going to expect me to be someone I’m not. If you can’t do that in the next couple of months - because I’m not dealing with wedding business and the planning for the summit at the same time - then we host the summit with me as a bachelor king, and everyone can think whatever they want about it.”
“We’ll find someone,” Aldric promised.
“You’d better.” Darragh sat back down and picked up his pen. “Now get out. I have actual work to do.”
The advisers filed out, and Darragh tried to focus on the trade agreement in front of him. But the words kept blurring together, his mind wandering to the impossible task he’d just agreed to.
