42. INTERLUDE

“What can I do for you today, Your Grace?” Huber asks, propping his elbows on his desk. “My assistant said this meeting was of the highest importance.”

“It’s actually what we can do for each other,” Isabella says with a smile. “As I told him, I agree fully with your take on the situation between Dante and his new wife.”

“So he said. My question is why you came to me. If you have a problem with your nephew, why not talk to him?”

She looks around the room. “Are there any recording devices in here?”

“No,” he says, eyes narrowed. “Why do you ask?”

“You’ll understand in a moment. My question to you, Chancellor, is how badly do you want to end the monarchy?”

“I don’t have a problem with the monarchy,” he says. “I have a problem with the monarch. Prince Dante is irresponsible, which he proved with his wedding the other day, and I don’t believe he should be in charge of the Trentini fortune.”

Isabella nods. “On that, we agree. The question is, do you plan to press the councils to call for a referendum?”

“I’ve made no secret of that. It’s an ongoing process. That’s why I chose not to attend the wedding. It would be unseemly to oppose the prince and then smile and shake his hand at his wedding.”

“Of course,” she says. “I have no choice, however. I have to live with him.”

“Now let me ask you the same question,” he says. “Are you in favor of a referendum? Or am I misunderstanding you? It seems unlikely that a member of the royal family would want to abolish the royal family.”

“That’s what I came here to discuss,” she says. “I absolutely agree that Dante and his wife are the wrong people to be guiding the ship of state for Morova. But I am, and always will be, a staunch believer in the monarchy. It’s an integral part of Morovan culture.”

“As you say. Which is why I’ve held off for so long on pushing for the referendum. It we bring this matter to the people for a vote, and it fails, the constitution says the option is null and void for as long as the current monarch is in power.”

“So it’s all or nothing. You need to be sure of victory.”

“Exactly.”

“What if I could guarantee that you would win?”

Huber leans forward on his desk, brows knit.

“You would obviously want something in return,” he says. “Or you wouldn’t be here.”

“I like you, Chancellor,” Isabella says. “You understand the game. It’s all about give and take.”

“You’ve talked about giving. Now let’s discuss the taking. What is it you want?”

“Quite simple, actually. The referendum would be worded such that the government would have expanded powers in controlling the Trentini fortune, while keeping the monarchy in place.”

“But you’ve already said you want Dante gone. What are you proposing?”

She smiles. “My son, Emilio, has proven himself to be an excellent example to the people of Morova. He’s been Dante’s companion and conscience for many years. If it hadn’t been for his steadying influence, who knows what kind of ruin Dante might have brought down on Morova?”

Huber sits back in his chair, lacing his fingers across his large belly.

“Trade Dante for Emilio,” he muses. “And keep the monarchy.”

“The government has more control, and a prince that’s more agreeable. The people of Morova keep their beloved monarchy.”

“And your son takes the throne,” he finishes.

“It’s a necessary sacrifice,” she grins.

“I’m sure. Let’s say I agreed to this – what insurance are you offering that the referendum will pass?”

Isabella retrieves her bag from the floor, withdraws a manila envelope and lays it on the chancellor’s desk.

“That’s the unpleasant part,” she says. “But you can’t make an omelet without breaking a few eggs.”

Huber opens the flap and slides out a series of photos. His beady eyes widen as he examines them closely for a full thirty seconds.

“When were these taken?” he asks. “How do I know it’s not just something from his past?”

“I have the original digital files,” she says. “The time and date can be verified. They were taken four days before the wedding, at Dante’s bachelor party.”

He sits in thought for several moments.

“This will be explosive if it’s true,” he says. “How did you get them?”

“Unfortunately, Emilio was with Dante that night and saw everything,” she says. “Which is why I’ve come to you. Betraying his cousin will break his heart, but he realizes that Dante simply isn’t fit for the role of monarch.”

Huber leans back and contemplates some more.

“Where do we go from here?” he asks. “I agree with you completely, but I can’t be tied to a scandal.”

“Leave that to me,” Isabella says. “Just be prepared to move when the time is right.”