“I think what my son is trying to communicate is that there is no reason anything needs to change in our relationships. I assure you, there may be some difficult feelings to work through,but nothing we are not capable of. We’ve known each other since we were children, Stephan. Surely you can understand.”
That was probably the worst thing the king could have said to Lord Treveon. Sure enough, Luci could practically feel the heat from his fury through the door.
“Understand? Understand! Your son is spurningmydaughter for a servant! What is there to understand about that, Rupert?”
Luci wanted to die. Hanging for treason would be better at this point. She slid down the door and collapsed onto the floor in a stunned mess.
“What an idiot,” she said to no one in particular.
“Exactly what I told him,” Max said.
“I also told him that,” Lucien said, earning a small smack from Brielle, though it only made him chuckle.
“I told him too,” said Gladys. “Sorry, Luci.”
“It’s all right. It is a terrible choice, truly.” Luci murmured, wondering if she could become one with the floor.
“She will be your queen regardless of your wishes, so I suggest you watch your words very carefully, Lord Treveon,” Ira said.
“Light above, I am going to die,” Luci said, heart pounding furiously in her chest.
“This is the most romantic thing that's ever been done,” Brielle whispered.
Well, at least she was having a grand time of it. What an idiot he was. Declaring that he was going to marry her without even asking her. Creating a feud with his greatest supporters, all for a ridiculous sentiment. All without asking her. What if she didn’t want to be queen?
“What if I don’t want to be queen?” Luci asked no one in particular.
“Nonsense, you’ll be lovely at it,” Brielle said, before hushing her.
“I did try to tell him he should ask you first, but he said that you would try to be noble and run for the hills so no one had to make any sacrifices,” Gladys said.
“Which she was about to do before I stopped her,” Brielle said.
“Darling, you're perfect, but can you be quiet for a moment? I’m trying to listen.” Lucien said.
“Gross,” Max muttered.
This was all some sort of nightmare. Her worst fears are coming to fruition. All she ever knew was living for Brielle. Now that Brielle was healthier than Luci could ever be, Luci hardly knew what she wanted. Destroying a kingdom and being responsible for Civil war certainly wasn’t it.
“What if I don’t want to be queen?” she said with more conviction.
The shouting grew louder from the door, but Luci knew one thing. If she was forced into something she absolutely didn’t want, it. Good intentions or not, that was exactly what Ira was doing to her.
So Luci, now in control of her own fate, stood on her own two feet.
“Do you smell cinnamon?” Lucien asked.
Yes, she did. Without asking anyone to move, Luci walked two steps and opened the door. All four eavesdroppers fell on top of each other as the door opened, but Luci merely stepped over them.
Maybe she didn’t want to be queen.
The chamber was long and narrow. A fireplace burning right to the west of the room, while a table twelve seats long on both sides sat, but only a few were even sitting in them. Most were standing and staring at Luci and the four people scrambling to stand up. Portraits of Vencias' past hung all around the room, watching and judging silently. Above the fireplace was thelargest of portraits of all. The original Vencia. Responsible for the extinction of magic.
He was a menacing sort of man with a permanent sneer and a grizzly beard that covered his lips. Eyes dark enough brown that they might have been black. His hair was long and shaggy, reflecting the beast he was. He ruined so much, but she’d changed the course of his destruction.
Cinnamon burst all around her, and it was like Elowen was standing beside her, giving her strength.
Words were flying all around her, but Luci took a grounding breath, and when she turned away from the portrait, she found Ira at the head of the table watching her with his piercing green eyes.