Oh, the palace intrigue surrounding Princess Damaris. You don't know her yet, but you will. She's getting her own book. Enjoy this scene of the young royals of Lorvena; Edward, Jaclyn 'Jack', and George.
“Evening, your highnesses,” Les said as he bowed in front of them. “I am shocked that your parents could not grace us with their presence tonight.”
“They are sorry they could not join as well,” Edward said. “They had a call scheduled with Florine.”
“What about? If I may be so bold as to ask? You know I am friends with the king,” Les said.
“Regent,” Jack said, still holding her smile.
“What, my dear?” Les asked.
“He is not king because he was not, nor will he be crowned,” Jack said as she folded her hands in front of her body.
Edward knew that stance well. She was ready to fight. This was not the time or place to get into this discussion. Especially since no one knew the Princess of Florine was in Lorvena.
“Only because that Parliament does not want to skip over the Lost Princess. Speaking of Princess Damaris, have you heard from her? I hear she has disappeared,” Les said as he shoved his hands in his pockets.
Edward heard the unspoken statement. Damaris’s uncle knew she wasn’t in North Carolina. The man was scared and sending out his spies to figure out where the Princess was.
“Princess Damaris should be in the country within the month. It is her usual routine this time of the year,” George said. “It is tradition.”
“She should be with her people or at least give up her crown so someone else can lead the people. She is as weak as her parents were,” Les said as he backed up. “If you will excuse me, I see Prime Minster Alma, and I must speak with her.”
“You are excused,” Edward said as he watched Les walk away.
“The man’s a snake,” Jack said as she dropped her hands.
“He’s a spy,” George said as he shifted. “I trust you’ll inform Huck and Damaris of this conversation.”
Edward nodded as he watched Les approach the Prime Minister.
“I recorded the conversation,” Edward said as he pulled his hand out of his pocket.
“How did you know to record it?” Jack asked.
“I record all of Parliament’s conversations. I need to know who is on my side and who is not,” Edward said as he looked at his brother and sister. “After a conversation with Huck when our parents announced their abdication, he strongly encouraged me to find out who supports me and who does not. Supporting our parents is different than supporting me and my vision for the future of Lorvena.”
“That is the reason I’m happy you were firstborn. I couldn’t handle the deception,” Jack said, shaking her head.
“I could still abdicate, and you would be queen,” Edward said as he watched his sister’s face.
“You wouldn’t dare,” Jack said as she blinked at him. “I don’t want to be queen.”
“But you would do it if I did give up the throne,” Edward said as he placed his hand on her shoulder.
She looked away before cutting her eyes back at him. “I would because I love this country. But, and I stressed this, you will be a far better king of Lorvena than I would be queen. You love this country and people far more than I do. You were raised to be king.”
