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“Konstantin would have gone into combat, though?”
“Yes.”
“Being royal has a lot of unseen expectations.”
“Especially for a ruling royal family.”
“You do realize that it is medieval to have ruling authority based solely on the circumstances of your birth.”
He gave her a look that couldn’t be termed anything but indulgent. “It is also twenty-first century. We are hardly the only royal ruling family in the world.”
Okay, so he had a point. “Even so, I don’t understand why your brother, who seems to be a very progressive thinker, hasn’t instituted a constitutional monarchy.”
“You might be surprised to know that my father considered doing so.”
“Wow.” That was surprising.
With uncanny prescience, Dima stopped talking again, and seconds later, the waiter approached to clear away their starter. Another of the waitstaff placed their lunches before them before stepping away without a word.
Dima took a bite of the soba noodles mixed with vegetables and chewed appreciatively. “That is good,” he said after swallowing.
Jenna agreed, having tried it herself and loving the umami seasoning with a hint of lemongrass. “It’s a mix of Vietnamese and Japanese flavors.”
They ate in silence for a moment or two before Jenna asked about the surprising revelation Dima had made.
“It was before my birth. I had no part in the decision.”
Though clearly it was something that had been talked about years later, or Dima wouldn’t know about it. “But His Highness told you about it.”
“Do you realize that my father is the only person in my family you consistently use formal address with?”
She shrugged. “I think he prefers it.”
“Perhaps.” Dima took a sip of his seltzer water. “In answer to your question, yes, Father told my brothers and me about it.”
“Why didn’t he do follow through? He wouldn’t have considered it if he didn’t think it was a good idea.”
“You are right, but ultimately, Father and his advisors determined that the potential for instability to Mirrus was too great.”
“Of course, they did.” Her cynicism leaked into her voice, but Jenna had seen too many men, and women too, if she was being honest, refuse to let go of the power they had grown accustomed to wielding.
“You sound dismissive. I assure you, both he and, later, my brother examined the issue very closely.”
“But holding on to power was easier.”
“Holding on to power, as you term it, nearly cost my father his life. It was the main reason my eldest brother’s first marriage was an unhappy one. The personal cost of maintaining the ruling monarchy has been great to my family, but ultimately the good of Mirrus must come first.”
“The good as you define it.”
“Yes.”
She respected that he didn’t try to dress up his agreement. One of the things she liked about Dima was that he didn’t apologize for his beliefs.
He was a good man, but yes, a very arrogant one as well.
“I could never be part of making choices for other people without their say-so.”
“Mirrus is no dictatorship. My brother holds court, listening to our citizens and their concerns for one entire day each week. Furthermore, unlike a dictatorship, our citizens have the ability to emigrate whenever they wish, and because of our diplomatic ties with other countries, options for many to settle in.”
