For nearly a fullminute Linus just stares at me, hands steepled in front of him on his vast desk. I try not to be intimidated, jerking my chin up and holding his eyes.
“Today did not go as planned,” he says finally.
“No,” I agree. “I’m sorry. The funeral…”
“What happened was not your fault. Still, certain reparations must be made. To that end, we will be holding a press conference tomorrow morning, officially announcing you as my heir. I would like you to be there, at my side, when we make the announcement. As a show of strength.”
He waits for my response.
I don’t offer one.
“Now that the funeral is behind us, we will be moving into the castle to officially mark the beginning of my reign.” He pauses again. “The East Wing is traditionally reserved for the heir apparent but, naturally, it is not currently available due to the fire. For the time being, you will occupy a suite in the North Wing, along with Chloe and Carter.”
I refrain from commenting.
“Eventually, we will restore the palace to its former glory. But we don’t want to appear too hasty in rebuilding. Not with Henry still…” he trails off.
I clench my jaw tighter.
The silence grows suffocating.
“Emilia.” He sighs, as though I’m being terribly tiresome. “I know you were hoping to avoid this outcome for a few more weeks, but we must face facts. The situation has changed. You no longer have the liberty of a choice in this matter.You are the Crown Princess of Germania. It is your birthright and your responsibility. And tomorrow, the whole world will watch as you finally accept it.”
I clear my throat, making sure I have control over my volume before I attempt to respond. “So, everything you said — everything you promised me before, about how I’d get to decide my own path… that was all bullshit?”
He leans back in his chair. “It was notbullshit.It was me, attempting to extend your childish illusion of freedom for a little while longer. A kindness, if you will.”
“Akindness?” I scoff bitterly. “You’re joking.”
“I do not have the luxury of making jokes. Not today.”
“If this is how you treat your family, I’d love to know how handle your enemies.”
“Disobey me and perhaps you shall,” he promises in a hard tone.
“Wow. You’ve stooped to petty threats, now? You’re a real piece of work.”
“Be that as it may, I am also akingwith the weight of an entire country on my shoulders. Like it or not, your desires are not the only ones in Germania that concern me.” His eyes turn to emerald chips of ice. “Which is why youwillbe at that press conference tomorrow. Youwillact in a dignified manner. And youwillverbally acknowledge your intent to take up the role of Crown Princess.”
“And if I don’t?”
He weighs his words carefully for a moment. “Then your house in Hawthorne goes on the market. I imagine, now that the people know their princess once lived there, it will sell quite quickly.”
“You can’t do that,” I gasp. “You’ve already paid off the mortgage! The house is mine, free and clear.”
“Is it?”
My blood runs cold. “What?”
He leans across the table toward me. “You see, I had a feeling we might run into a snag like this one at some point down the line. That’s why, instead of paying the bank the full amount owed in your name… I paid it in mine. Which means I now control a significant lien on your property.”
“But I still have the deed,” I insist, hardly believing my ears.
“If you research property law, you will find that the deed ceases to matter at a certain point — usually once your mortgage payments lapse and you fail to pay your property taxes.” His expression softens slightly. “For all intents and purposes, I have assumed all financial responsibility for your home, Emilia. It’s mine. And if you choose to walk away from your duty… You will have nowhere left to go.”
I go completely still, feeling that fault line of betrayal deep inside me open even wider. First Owen, now Linus.
How much treachery can one heart take in a single day?