Ryn had apologized repeatedly the entire time they pulled him from the glass and metal, but just like the angry words that had flown between all of them, it was too late to take it back. The damage had been done and it was permanent.
Their relationship had never recovered from that night. They were both ashamed of what they’d said and done.
Now those memories paralyzed Darling as he saw his reflection in the marble wall in front of him and he cringed inwardly.
His mother was right. He was hideous and disgusting.
Too ugly to look at.
Arturo’s insults rang in his ears. They mingled with the hostile words and shouts he could hear coming from inside the throne room as his brother fought with the plebs.
But as his gaze went to the state portrait of his father that hung to his left, he remembered the brave little boy who’d stood at his father’s tomb and had vowed that he would keep the things his father treasured most safe from harm.
The wife his father had loved above all things.
The children who’d been the pride of his heart.
And the empire that he’d worried and slaved over.
I won’t let them suffer without you, Papa. I swear. I’ll be the man you wanted me to be. No matter what, I will make you proud.
Darling had fought hard to protect his mother and siblings. Now it was time to keep the last part of that promise.
Taking a deep breath for courage, he lifted the cowl on his royal dark blue and gold robes so that it covered his head and shielded his face, then headed for the doors.
The moment they swung open, every eye in the room turned toward him. Wanting to run for shelter, Darling raised his chin and let the rank and mantle of noblesse oblige settle firmly on his shoulders.
This was what he’d been bred and trained for.
And as he stood there, he heard his father’s voice in his head. “The past is history written in stone that can’t be altered. The future is transitory and never guaranteed. Today is the only thing you can alter for certain. Make the most of it.”
Ryn, who had changed out of his pirate gear in favor of imperial robes, rose from the throne where he’d been acting as pro tem. Maris, Drake, Syn, Hauk, and two other gerents stood to his left while a small group of plebs were on the right. His older brother bowed down before him. “Your Majesty.”
The others followed suit.
Once they righted themselves, there was an absolute chill in the air as they faced him. Yeah, he was as welcome here as a fatal STD in a whorehouse.
But that didn’t change the fact that he was their governor and this was his duty.
Darling focused his blurry gaze on the tall, skinny pleb standing closest to Ryn. He’d lay money that he was their leader. So he was the one Darling addressed first. “Care to enlighten me as to why you were shouting at my pro tem?”
The plebs paled. But the tall one didn’t shirk in spite of his obvious fear. He took a step forward. “My name is Gerst. Svidan Gerst, Your Majesty. And we’re from the workers’ coalition.” A bead of sweat rolled down the side of his face. “We are asking that our workday be shortened. Right now, we’re working eighteen-hour days with no time off for illness or recuperation.”
Ryn made a noise of frustration. “I was trying to explain to them that they need to take the matter to Lord Derkstig since he’s the one who’s in charge of setting labor standards.”
Gerst grimaced at the mention of the gerent’s name. “And we’ve taken it to him. His answer is to suck it up and be grateful we have jobs while others don’t.”
Just as Darling started to respond, the door to the main hall opened. Scowling, he watched as Zarya came in holding a little girl around the age of seven in her arms. Dressed in white, the little girl had curly brown hair that framed an angelic face.
He noted the panic on Gerst’s features.
“See,” Zarya said in a soothing, sweet tone to the child. “Your father’s fine. Just like I said. No one’s hurting him.” She set the girl down so that she could run to Gerst.
Sobbing, the girl buried her face against her father’s leg and held tight while the plebs rolled their eyes in obvious contempt.
Zarya curtsied to Darling. “Forgive our interruption, Your Majesty. There was a group of boys outside the gate who were tormenting her. They told her that her father was in here, being eaten by a monster. So she snuck into the palace, wanting to save her father from harm.”
He would laugh if it wasn’t so typical. “Maris?”
Maris came over immediately.
Zarya watched while Darling whispered something to Maris and Maris quickly left the room.
The girl’s father peeled her off his leg and forced her to stand in front of him. “Drus, you have to leave now. I have important business to attend to.”
The little girl sniffed and nodded. “I’m sorry, Daddy. I was just so scared you were hurt.”
Zarya moved to take the girl’s hand. “Come with me, sweetie.” But before they left, she led Drus over to Darling.