My father watches me from across his desk and for a second, I think that he’s not going to say anything.

Hazel shifts in her chair next to mine. As far as I know, the only time Hazel has ever met my father was at the wedding. He hasn’t bothered to seek her out or to get to know her at all, like he’s expecting me to fail. That thought makes me angry, but I hold it back.

Finally, he leans back in his chair. “What will you have me do about this?” he asks.

My eyes go wide. “Are you joking?”

He sighs. “Things are complicated here, Nolan. You have to understand that.”

“Father,” I say, “he’s been sleeping with an underage prostitute and keeping her as his mistress.”

“So you say. But does the girl have any proof?”

I glance at Hazel. She’s nervously chewing her lip and I can tell she wants to say something, but she’s holding it back.

“She has proof,” I say. “Although we shouldn’t need proof. Her word should be enough.”

“Unfortunately, you know that isn’t the case.” My father shakes his head. “We’re royals, Nolan. People will say whatever they want just to get a little fame.”

“This girl didn’t seek us out,” Hazel says suddenly. “We found her, and she only told us this story reluctantly.”

My father slowly turns his gaze to Hazel and his face doesn’t change. “Why are you here?” he asks her.

She looks surprised. “I, ah, I’m Nolan’s wife, and—“

“No, you’re not,” my father says slowly.

“Father,” I start, but he holds up a hand.

“I know what you two are doing,” he says. “Do you think I’m a fool? You’re using this marriage to try and win some favor with me, but frankly, it only makes me want to pass on you even more.”

I can’t believe what I’m fucking hearing. “I won’t deny it,” I say to him.

“Good. I wouldn’t respect you if you did.” He looks back at Hazel. “I know you aren’t a spy, girl, but let me ask you again. Why are you here?”

He hesitates a second. “I care about Nolan and Polovia,” she says, and my father scoffs. She pushes forward, undaunted. “Despite what you may think, Nolan is more worthy of becoming king than any other person in this country. Your current choice is a pedophile and a scumbag.”

My father looks a little surprised. “Those are serious accusations.”

“You saw the video,” Hazel says, keeping her cool. “Julian is a liar and a snake. You know that he’s been blackmailing some of the nobles here just to keep pushing his agenda?”

Father looks a little uncomfortable at that. “There are rumors,” he admits.

“More than rumors,” I say. “I know for a fact that many nobles only support him out of fear. Do you really wish to pass the throne on to a man like that?”

He sighs slowly and shakes his head. “No, I do not. But you don’t have the support you need, and Julian does.”

“That’s where you’re wrong.” I reach into my jacket pocket and produce a letter, signed by over one hundred and ten nobles. I pass it across the desk and he takes it.

Slowly, my father glances through the letter. It essentially is a pledge of support. He gets down to the signatures, and I can tell that he’s surprised at what he’s seeing. Finally, he looks up at me.

“Did you do this?” he asks me. “You got this many pledges behind my back?”

“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.