“For what? Being decorative?” Darragh shook his head. “Not one of them has challenged me on anything. No one has offered an opinion that differed from mine. They’re all so busy trying to be perfect that they’ve forgotten to be people.”
“Perhaps that will change,” Thomas said. “We have one more candidate today.”
“Let me guess. Another lord or lady who will compliment my hair and agree with everything I say?”
Aldric checked his notes. “Lord Finn, fifth son of the Earl of Winrone.”
“Fifth son?” Darragh raised an eyebrow. “That’s...unusual. Most of these candidates have been first or second children.”
“Yes, well.” Aldric cleared his throat. “His brother submitted the application. According to the file, Lord Finn himself was...reluctant to be considered.”
“Reluctant.” For the first time all day, Darragh felt a spark of interest. “How reluctant?”
“The notes say he believes himself completely unsuitable for royal life.” Helena read from her own papers. “He has no court experience, a limited knowledge of politics, and spent most of his adult life working with his hands rather than attending society functions.”
“He works with his hands?” Darragh sat up straighter. “Doing what?”
“General repairs, apparently. Helping tenants with various projects around the Winrone estate.” Aldric looked disapproving. “Quite unusual for someone of his rank.”
“Quite unusual for someone of his rank to be honest about his limitations, you mean.” Darragh felt the first real smile of the day cross his face. “All right. I’ll see him.”
“Your Majesty, perhaps we should review his file more thoroughly…”
“You said he thinks he’s unsuitable. That already makes him more self-aware than anyone I’ve met today.” Darragh gestured toward the door. “Bring him in. Let’s see if reluctance translates to honesty.”
Thomas and Helena exchanged glances, but Aldric nodded to the guards.
The doors opened.
Darragh leaned forward, curious despite himself. After numerous candidates who’d all blurred together into one massof compliments and careful political maneuvering, someone who didn’t want to be here might actually be interesting.
Please,he thought.Please let this one be different.
Chapter Four
The throne room was bigger than Finn expected. Not that he’d ever been in a throne room before, but still. The ceiling stretched up at least three stories, the walls were lined with expensive tapestries and the actual throne sat on a raised platform making the whole thing feel like a stage production.
Finn tugged at his collar. Jericho had insisted he wear formal attire, which meant Finn currently felt like a trussed chicken in clothing that fit perfectly but still somehow felt wrong. He was used to shirt sleeves and work trousers, not whatever his stiff jacket situation was.
Three advisers sat at a table to the left of the throne. Two men and a woman, all looking at him with varying degrees of skepticism. Fair enough. Finn was skeptical about the whole thing, too.
And on the throne itself...
Oh. Damn. The king is one fine-looking man close up.
King Darragh was bigger in person than Finn had imagined. Not taller - although Finn couldn’t judge height when the man was sitting - but broader. His shoulders filled out his formal jacket, suggesting actual physical work rather than just tailoring. His blond hair fell to his shoulders in waves that looked like they’d be soft to touch, and his face was tanned and weathered in a way that reminded Finn of the sailors who worked the docks at Winrone.
He also looked bored out of his mind. At least until his eyes met Finn’s. Then something shifted in his expression. Interest, maybe. Or possibly just curiosity about who the hell had walked into his throne room.
Finn executed what he hoped was an acceptable bow. Jericho had made him practice for two hours, but Finn had never been particularly graceful.
“Lord Finn.” One of the advisers - the older woman – greeted him. “Thank you for coming. I’m Helena, this is Thomas, and Aldric. We’re three members of His Majesty’s council.”
“Right.” Finn straightened. “Nice to meet you. And you, Your Majesty.”
King Darragh’s mouth twitched. “You can call me Darragh. This is an informal interview.”
“Informal.” Finn glanced at the throne, the advisers, and the guards by the door. “Sure. It’s a very casual atmosphere you have here.”
