Soon, there was a knock at the door. “Come,” I called, and Max entered.
“Sir,” he said, bowing slightly.
“Did you see this?” I held up the paper.
“Yes,” he said. “We’re already investigating.”
“Good. Find who leaked this, fire him or her, and then give everyone else a raise.”
“Is that wise? Funds are tight in war time, Your Highness.”
“Trip,” I said, annoyed. “And yes. Do it.”
“Very well. Anything else?”
“Yes.” I paused, glancing down. “What are people saying?” I asked him.
“Why bother asking me? You’ll just go to Lynette next and trust her opinion more.”
I was surprised. “Max, are you angry about that?”
“No,” he said simply. “I want to merely remind you that I’ve been a loyal servant to Your Highness for your whole life.”
I laughed. “Okay, Max. You’re right. Please, tell me what you think.”
“They don’t like her,” he said. “People think she’s a foreigner corrupting you. They believe the democrats are winning because you’re too busy spending time with the American girl.”
I sighed. “That’s what I feared.”
“Is it true?” he asked me.
That took me aback. “What?”
“Are you distracted, Trip? I’m not asking as your advisor. I’m asking as your friend.”
I frowned. It was very, very rare for Maximillian to break protocol like this, incredibly rare. In fact, I think he’d only done it once or twice before in my entire life. He was normally so stuffy and serious, but he looked genuinely concerned.
“Maybe,” I admitted. “I enjoy her, Max.”
“I know you do, but you must be careful. This country hasn’t seen a crisis like this in a very long time.”
“I understand,” I said. “I know what my duties are.”
“I know you do, but I only wish to counsel caution. Do not get overly involved with this girl, at least until the current crisis is over.”
“You want me to send her away?”
“Not necessarily,” he said. “That would look bad in the press, truth be told. But I do think you need to spend less time with her. Distance yourself.”
“I hardly spend time with her as it is.”
“True,” he agreed. “But unfortunately, every second of your time is worth thousands of everyone else’s, at least in this country. You’re the king, Trip, and that means your time is not entirely your own anymore.”
I looked away, out the window. I knew that deep down in my bones, but I hated to admit it. No part of me wanted to be indebted to anyone, not even my own country, but I did owe them.
The rule of the country had fallen on me. It was my responsibility. They were my people, nobody else, and I was the only one who could get this country through the war.
“Damn,” I said softly. “Fucking damn.”
“Yes, I agree.” Max stepped toward me. “The only thing I’ve ever wanted for you is happiness, Trip. When you were still just the prince, when your father and Leo were alive, I wanted you to find a woman like Bryce. It’s a shame you found her now.”
“I found plenty of women back then,” I said, grinning.
“You did,” he agreed. “But did that fulfill you?”
“No. Not like she does.”
“Therein lies your dilemma. Your country on the one hand, and your woman on the other.”
“Yes,” I said.
“I wish it didn’t have to be so.”
“Don’t we all.”
As I glanced out the window again, my mind getting tugged toward Bryce once again, there was a knock at the door, insistent and loud. I nodded at Max, and he opened up.
General Hardcourt was standing there, looking flustered. “Your Highness, Maximillian.”
“What is it, Hardcourt?” I asked.
“Sir, a small rebel army was spotted in this region.”
That surprised me. We were all the way out in the easternmost province of Starkland. It was mainly poor farmlands and the estates of the lords. There were no real strategic targets in the east that the democrats could possibly want.
Except for my estate and me.
“How large?” I asked.
“Hard to say. Hundreds, possibly thousands.”
“Where are they going?”
“Our scouts are unsure. We’re tracking them with satellites. They seem to be moving in our general direction.”
“Fuck,” I said, standing. “They’re coming here.”
“My thoughts exactly, Your Highness.” Hardcourt looked very serious.
“What’s the closest detachment?” I asked him.