"What?!" Lincoln asks in outrage while the other men look dumbfounded
"Not 'what' it's 'pardon me'" I say and Lincoln looks like he might just jump over the table to strangle me
Noah says "Pardon me, Your Grace it's just that everyone is a bit confused"
"And where exactly is the confusion?" I ask innocently
Elliot pipes up "You cannot sit the throne, Your Grace. You are a woman"
I raise an eyebrow and I'm about to say something but glance at Simon when he says "Her Grace may be right" everyone looks at him in surprise "Sophia was the king's wife and she's Romero Junior's mother. I'm sure she can handle the kingdom until her son comes of age"
Mm, no wonder Romero made Simon his right hand. I might just like him.
Might.
Lincoln says "As Elliot said, she's a woman. There is no way in hell the people of Ronder will take her seriously"
"Then I guess I'll just have to make them take me seriously." I stand up and straighten my dress "Simon call on the people to come to the castle tomorrow for our decision." I glance around the table "You're dismissed"
Nobody moves still looking shocked before Simon stands up and says "Did Her Grace stutter?"
They all look at him like he just said the silliest thing before standing up and leaving and the guard closes the door behind them, leaving the room in silence. I sit back down and lightly tap my nails on the table before asking softly "Do you think I did the right thing?"
Hayden says from a few feet behind me "It may not have been the right thing but it's the smartest one"
Hayden Vitello. He's been my knight ever since I got married to Romero. His job is to serve and protect me but over the years of him working for me, he has become my best friend. Whenever I think of the best things Romero has ever given me, it always comes down to three. Romero Junior. Raya. And Hayden.
I glance at him, seeing him stare straight ahead even though we're alone. His blue eyes seems a bit lighter now because of the sun that's shining through the window, his buzz cut looks fresh as always while he stands with his hands clasped behind his back
"Besides me being a woman, why else is it not the right thing?"
He glances at me and his eyes soften a fraction "You're way too soft, kind and wear your heart on your sleeves. I reckon the men are afraid the kingdom might eat you alive"
"I doubt the men give a shit about me" I say dryly
His lips twitch "Perhaps"
The room falls in comfortable silence as we stare at each other before I stand up "I want to find the person responsible for Romero's death"
He raises an eyebrow "That's a rather bold thing to be looking for, my queen"
"And yet that's exactly what I'll be doing"
He's quiet for a moment before nodding "I am your servant always and shall help you"
I nod "Thank you, Hayden" I reach a hand out to pat his arm but he takes a step back.
Right. No touching.
He stares straight ahead with a clenched jaw and I turn around to leave, with him walking a few steps behind me.