“Yes,” I say. “I’m much more capable than you think, father.”
He nods slowly and puts the letter down. For a second, I think I won him over. He looks thoughtful as he watches me, but slowly his gaze turns and lands on Hazel.
“You did this to him,” he says.
She looks surprised. “What?”
“You forced him into this position. You made the nobility turn their backs on their rightful heir.” He turns back to me and smiles. “At least that’s what I’ll say when I still choose Julian over you.”
I sit there, totally stunned, and my father’s smile grows larger. I’ve never seen this side of him, but it’s vindictive and it’s ugly. I don’t understand what I’ve done to make him hate me so much and yet here he is, gloating and taking pleasure in my downfall.
Hazel stands up. “You don’t deserve Nolan,” she says to him, surprising me. “You’re an ugly man, like your ugly choice. Julian is going down and Nolan is taking his position, whether you want it or not.”
“Get out of my office, girl,” he says to Hazel, practically spitting the words.
“Careful, old man,” I say, standing. He cocks his head at me. “That letter is real, and that support is real. It’s growing every day, and I promise the floodgates will open when I release this information about Julian.”
“You think I’ll choose you then?” My father stands and slams his hands down on the desk. “I will not be pushed into this. You are a spoiled little brat and are far too weak to lead Polovia. You can’t do what needs to be done.”
Finally, in that moment, I see my father for what he really is. He’s a vindictive and angry man with a petty spirit inside of him. He’s weak and he’s desperate to hold onto the reigns of power for as long as he can. Julian would allow him to rule well into his deep old age, but he knows the people will want me elevated if I were the choice. He’s afraid of me, and he always has been. I’m proof of his end.
“Good luck, your highness,” I say to him. I turn and leave the room, Hazel close behind me.
Once we’re out in the hall, Hazel snags my hand. “Nolan, hold on.”
“It’s okay,” I say, turning to face her. For the first time in my life, I actually feel free. “I’m okay.”
She cocks her head at the expression on my face. “That was hard in there.”
“It was,” I say. “But now I know where we can stand.”
“What are we going to do? If he doesn’t support you, how can you win?”
“There are other ways,” I say, smiling. I reach forward and cup her face. “You stood up for me.”
“He’s a dick.”
I laugh and kiss her softly. “Yeah, he really is.” I drop my hand and turn away from her. “Come on. We have work to do.”
We head back to the room, and I’m finally free. I’m free of it all, of my father and the expectations he’s been placing on me for a long time. I’m free of the need to make him happy. I don’t need him anymore. I don’t need anyone.
I’m what this country needs. Maybe they don’t see it yet, but they will. We’re past the planning stages now. It’s time for us to move and to make this country whole again.
28
Hazel
My heart is hammering as I follow Nolan through the castle. After our meeting with his father, we spent the rest of the afternoon discussing what we should do.
I was in favor of waiting, but Nolan wouldn’t be persuaded. I wanted to take our time and make sure that this all happened the right way, but Nolan couldn’t wait.
And so we’re marching down the hallway, his phone clutched between his hands, a stony look on his face.
“Are you sure about this?” I ask him, trying one last time to change his mind.
He grins at me but I know he’s unsure. “It’ll be fine,” he says to me. “Just trust me.”
I sigh and nod. There’s not much else I can do.
We’re going to confront Julian. I wanted to wait a little bit longer, but Nolan says that this is the time. He thinks that we have momentum on our side, and if we can just show Julian the position that he’s in, he just might crumble.
From a side hallway, several figures appear, walking quickly toward us. I pull on Nolan’s hand and nod toward the people.
He stops in his tracks. I watch as the queen, flanked by several guards and stewards, heads right toward us. She isn’t smiling, but she doesn’t look angry, either. Honestly, she just looks tired.
“Mother,” Nolan says as she arrives.
“Son. Daughter.”