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Fire bubbles in my veins as I listen to Gianna’s plan.
Since I broke things off with Creed, I’ve remained indifferent. Like Jameson, I already had my strike of lightning. I wasn’t holding out for a second one, so why fight this?
But using Adam’s death to justify our engagement leaves a sour taste in my mind.
I can’t help but think Adam would hate being used like that.
I also can’t help but wonder what he would think of this situation in general, especially after the risk he took for me. He was fully aware he’d be fired when I didn’t turn up at the King’s Day gala. Yet, he didn’t care.
He was willing to make that sacrifice. For me.
Is this really how I’m going to repay him? By returning to the status quo? Allowing the establishment to dictate the rules? Decide my future?
I can practically hear him screaming at me from the great beyond, telling me he didn’t die so I could spend the rest of my life trapped in the same prison he tried to free me from.
I’d allowed my grandmother and the rest of the royal household to manipulate me into believing I was at fault. That I should stick to the original plan, despite my indiscretions, especially once Creed was no longer an option.
But this was never about choosing between Jameson and Creed.
It was about learning to choose myself.
Now that the smoke’s cleared, I finally see that.
“No,” I say firmly, interrupting Gianna as she discusses plans for a lavish engagement party next week.
Everyone looks my way, a hush falling over the room.
“What did you say, Esme?” my grandmother asks.
Placing my hands on the edge of the table, I slowly stand. “I said, no.” I glower at her, almost willing her to fight me on this.
“What exactly do you object to, ma’am?” Gianna interjects. “Is it the Fire and Ice theme? I assure you, it’s quite popular. I—”
“It’s not the theme,” I throw Gianna’s way before looking back at my grandmother, doing my best to control my pounding heart.
I refuse to show her so much as a hint of weakness. Not when I’m just a lowly pawn on a quest to capture the queen herself.
“It’s this entire scenario. I’m… Well, I’m done with it.”
“I don’t think so.” My grandmother waves me off. “Need I remind you of your duty to the crown?”
“No need at all. You’ve reminded me of my so-called ‘duty to the crown’ at every turn. Let me ask you something, though. What would the public think of this duty to the crown if they learned you fabricated our entire relationship? That you lied to the public?” I glance at Jameson, remembering the story he shared about Callie. “And that Henry Gates threatened to defund the charities Jameson supports. You may not care about any backlash on Mr. Gates, but could you imagine what people would say if they thought you contributed to the idea of making hungry children starve? Throwing pregnant women out onto the street? Forcing refugees to return to war-torn countries where they awaited certain death?”
Pacing the length of the room, I tap my chin, my resolve and confidence increasing with every second. “Now, I don’t have any fancy graphs or polls, but I’d venture to guess the responses would trend pretty far into the negative category.” I fix my attention on Gianna. “What do you think?”
She pinches her lips into a tight line. “I believe you’re correct.”
“Right. Then what would the public think if they learned a certain missing woman, who Jameson admitted to have been in a relationship with, disappeared around the same time Silas Archer paid Henry Gates a visit to discuss a possible arrangement between Jameson and me?”
“What are you insinuating, ma’am?” Silas asks from his normal spot on the opposite end of the table, his eyes as cold as ever.
“Oh, I’m not insinuating anything. Merely stating the facts. I’ll allow the public to draw their own conclusions from that little coincidence.” A slow smirk crawls on my mouth. “But it’s not exactly a great scenario, especially in this age of social media and clickbait. All it takes is one article to go viral and who knows? The next referendum to turn the monarch into more of a ceremonial role may just pass. And everyone in this room would lose their power and influence. I’m certain no one wants that.”
Feeling quite proud of myself, I place my hands on my hips as everyone exchanges nervous glances, unsure how to respond.
Even Jameson appears surprised by this turn of events, his furrowed brow focused on Gianna. It strikes me as odd. I can’t remember them ever talking much, other than in these meetings. As I watch them, I can’t shake the feeling they’re in the midst of a silent conversation.
“What do you want?” Silas asks finally, forcing my attention away from them.
