“What’s that?”
“Under no circumstances are you to sell the movie rights of my life to Netflix.”
He looks aghast at the prospect. “That will not be a problem, I assure you.”
“Excellent.” I smile. “Seeing as you’ve worked here longer than I’ve been alive, I think we can skip the castle tour.”
“Very wise, Your Majesty. I assume I’ll be keeping this as my office?”
“Of course. I believe everything’s as you left it. Caulfield didn’t believe in sitting down to work. She said her cellphone was the only office she needed.”
“How… modern.”
“I’m not sure where she kept her interns. I never saw them here at the castle.”
“Interns?”
“Apparently, she hired several.” My brows lift. “Do you feel you need interns to assist you, Simms?”
“I haven’t for the last two decades. If something changes, I shall keep you apprised.”
My lips twitch. “Great.”
“By the way — happy belated birthday, Your Majesty. I believe you turned twenty-one, during my…”
“Unpaid hiatus?”
“Let’s call it a sabbatical, shall we?”
I laugh. “Well, thank you. I didn’t really celebrate, what with everything that’s happened.”
“King Linus…” Simms’ expression twists a bit at the mention of my father. “He was planning a ball in honor of your birthday, you know.”
“I didn’t, actually.”
“Half the kingdom was set to be invited. It may be overstepping to say this, but the King… He was… Your father was immensely proud of you, Your Majesty.”
My eyes are stinging precariously. I turn my head swiftly away so Simms doesn’t see, swallowing several times to clear the lump in my throat.“Right. Anyway, glad to have you back, Simms. We’ll have a meeting tomorrow, after you’ve settled in, to discuss our first steps for moving forward with the referendum and bring you up to speed on everything you’ve missed.”
“All right.”
“Around eleven o’clock?”
“Let’s do ten instead. If you truly want to make traction with aristocratic voters, you’ll need to attend high tea at the Solarium tomorrow at noon sharp, Your Majesty.”
I snort. “Sorting out my schedule already, are you? You’ve only been back at work for about three minutes.”
“Not a minute too soon, it would seem.” His solemn face holds a hint of warmth I’m not accustomed to seeing. “I’m inclined to mention, if Lady Morrell were here, she would strongly urge you to remember that the queen is at her most regal when she dons the customary royal colors. Especially when attempting to garner favor with her subjects for a referendum.”
My voice drops to a nasally impression of Morrell’s scolding refrain. “A tiger without his stripes is simply a large cat.”
Simms actually chuckles.
“I’m sure she’s already halfway to apoplectic over the glove fiasco. Not to mention the purple hair,” I mutter. “Wouldn’t want to drive her over the edge by wearing neon to greet the society set.”
“She merely wants you to be your best, Your Majesty. We all do. No matter what clothes you wear or what customs you choose to abide by… We have nothing but the highest hopes for your reign.”
My amusement fades swiftly. “Well, then I’m sure you’ve been disappointed, watching me these past few months, Simms. I haven’t exactly reigned with any sort of aplomb or assuredness. I feel like I’m constantly on the verge of losing my footing.”