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Do I want to see Jessica? Tell her in person? Why did this happen? My parents are pushing me this way. I can't fight it.

I shouldn't fight it. If it truly is...

"Don't think about that." Everyone will look upon it as the oldest knight house becoming queen. She looks perfect for the contract. It looks arranged. I write out a note and head for William's room.

He opens the door before I can even knock. "What's up?"

"Can you send this to Jessica?" I hold up the letter.

"Would be better I meet her, but... Yeah I could." William takes the letter. The spell is quick. "She'll get it when she has a safe moment."

"Thanks." Maybe I should see her. But... "Where's Butch?"

"Changing." William steps into the hall. The room next to his is in use. "Butch?"

I wait for the door to open showing off Butch in an outfit that says noble not knight. "Looking nice."

Butch grumbles. "I need to look right for dinner. They're looking at me as a noble."

"Weird, right? Storm will stand by your connection too. A knight that will join a house?" William taps his chin. "If you really want, I can ask Father to adopt you. Since Storm can't. You'll be married in." Butch glares. I missed something. William is the type to tease, though. "No?"

"I don't need your help."

William shrugs. "An adoption would make you a gold noble. Why aim for silver?"

That's a good point. I didn't even think of it. "The gold nobles can begin a new house if they are given allowance by the royals."

"King decides the heads of houses." William looks to me. "Did you enjoy your father-son bonding?"

"I guess... The ministers were enjoying the fact I look like Father did. I got to hear a lot of stories. He may have proven things before hitting twenty, but he wasn't much at fifteen. Guess after listening, I can understand why it took him five months to graduate." William hides his laughter. Butch doesn't know the story by his questioning look. "I joined him for his review." I wave them to follow me. Once we are safely in my room, I sit on my bed. "So... Mom was the target. And given whoever did it will play with the fact Father acted out with Odin..."

"Infidelity can be given execution." William nods. "That's a rare answer, though. Normally it's just community service."

"We're talking the queen here."

"Point taken." William weighs things a moment. "So, what is the plan?"

I sigh kicking out my feet. "I told Father to just create the contract allowing the two to date. If Father agrees, it's not infidelity."

"And then it would be treason not supportive of the king." William nods. "Can't fight the court that you are doing what the king secretly asked for if the king publicly supports the relationship."

I nod slowly. "Father wasn't really willing. He agreed only if I sign the contract... With Jessica..."

"Oh." William looks to Butch. "That's not pleasant."

"Yeah. He said it will won't be something for now. Although, he also stated, he'll step down for me after I'm married and am handling the title fine."

"That's good." William is well aware of things here. "You'll know how long you have because it it'll be more than six months with the wedding date marked."

I shiver wanting to hide from things. The letter explains things to Jessica. And I apologize. We both were forced into signing the contract. "Father suggested twenty five."

"I'll guess twenty two." Butch says. "Abdication happens in the late twenties early thirties normally."

"Someone studied history." William eyes Butch.

I shake my head. "Required lessons for a knight. They need to be able to state a bunch of basic data off the top of their head. Graduation test for knights isn't easy." I lie on the bed thinking it over. I didn't need to study history. William probably would've needed a class or two. But he's studying here with Emerald. "Crown princes are married in their twenties. The queen is more often than not chosen. My father's situation is unique. If we want to pick our relationship it must be done before twenty five and they must have proven themself." Jessica doesn't need to do more than she has. She's the chosen one for me.

Because of our first meeting that I still can't recall.

"I'm still suggesting twenty two." Butch eyes me. I close my eyes tightly at his watch. "Do you hate Jessica? If anyone, I'd suggest her."

"Thanks for agreeing with my parents." I sigh and sit up. "I don't mind Jessica. We were five when the contract was made. I'm basically being forced to sign it so the country knows I have a queen marked. Now she'll gain crown princess consideration everywhere."

"Oh. I guess my payments will improve." William nods. "Yes. Sign the contract so they pay me to cover her too." He walks to the door. "I need to meet her for true comforts."

"Later, William. We need to head for dinner." I head for the door. "Anyone have questions?"

"You gave me answers to questions I didn't have." Butch says as we step into the hall. "Can you just use me for my sword swings not for my brain. I don't think I compare to either of you."

"Are you a mage?"

"Like level one." Butch scoffs. "Call me a fool before calling me a mage."

I laugh as we walk onward. "It'll be nice to have friends at dinner."

"I could get Jessica." William offers.

I glare at him. "It's not even signed yet. If Father doesn't fully write out his side of the request, I'm not going to." Jessica already signed. Father knows that too. How long before the media finds out? I have no idea. "After breakfast with Father, we'll be heading to Telligence."

"Something will happen there." William eyes me. "If everything falls apart, please return here."

"I have a heartstone for the halls." I close my eyes. "Maybe I should ask Father for one for the castle." I've had one before.

"I have one for the halls as well." Butch says. "So, that's last ditch effort option?"

"Yeah. I'll handle the rest of the concerns." William grins tapping his chest. "You have nothing to worry about since I'll be there."

"Nothing..." I sigh. They're not aiming for me. If Father signs that contract letting Mom and Odin have a relationship... I don't know what will actually happen between them. But I do know whoever is trying to assassinate Mom will end up marked with treason. As they should be. "What will happen if Father does sign that?"

"Odin won't be politically trapped. But he probably won't come back just yet." William eyes me. "All of his jobs were pushed on to someone else. He'll continue as he is until he knows he should return. He'll learn the truth to the contract if one happens. That won't truly make the king happy with them together. Just accepting of it."

Butch rubs his neck. "I don't think I'd be comfortable learning about Susan having someone else. We've been together for so long... I've always been seen as the future lord... But..." He sighs. "We're friends with desire. That doesn't mean things will continue."

"With desire, huh." William elbows Butch. Butch refuses to react. "Alright. I'll stop teasing."

"Thank you." Butch nods. "I'm not comfortable being considered in a relationship with her. We're not truly allowed after all. Even if everyone ends up knowing quickly."

"You need noble marks. Just meet with William's family. His father should be open to it given the situations." I know him well. He was the castle's teleporter before. "Or rush for blue three. You can gain a name she can agree to." Butch sighs instead of answer me. He may think we're overstepping bounds, but I know the people in question. This wouldn't be a big ask.

Because Pennington needs connections with other houses. Marriage is an easy one to pick. But that would be something Butch doesn't think of. If William gives his father the knowledge of Butch, Butch would become a Pennington. Only needs to ask at this point. Not that we expect the marriage any time soon. Pennington won't have to raise Butch at this point. He's a knight readying to take on the title of Lord Storm. He can enter as a gold noble versus a silver, which would suit everyone better.

"You should enjoy the castle's meals. You'll start to regret being stuck in the halls." William shakes Butch's shoulder. Then he's ahead of us. The guards for dinner know William well.

They spot me and offer bows. "Welcome Your Highness."

"Thank you for guarding us while we enjoy a meal." I offer each a smile before moving to my chair. William is next to me on the one side. Butch looks confused until William taps the open chair next to him. I look to my left where my father's chair is empty at current. William and Butch are my direct guards. No one will fight them here.

The meal won't begin until Father starts it. I hope I don't need to switch seats to start it. Someone will warn me if my father isn't going to join. I'm just the one to take the front and center chair then. I'm the only one to sit in the king's seat beside the king himself.

Because one day, I'll be the king.

One day, that chair will be mine.

Father walking in with a smile calms me. Because it reminds me, that day is still far away. There is a lot I need to do first.