Page 113 of Ruthless
Mercenaries rarely bought into an ideology. It was usually all about the money for them. So the idea that they’d willingly commit suicide to avoid interrogation did not add up.
Suddenly weary, Gideon leaned back against his pillow. Apparently seeing his exhaustion, the nurse said with a no-nonsense tone of command, “Your friend needs his rest. Perhaps you can come back in a few hours.”
Serena and Liam headed toward the door as if the order had come from their boss.
Before they left, Gideon asked, “Did Eve say why her father needed to see her?”
Serena shook her head with a small frown. “No, but after he called, she got really quiet.”
After the door closed behind them and the nurse made him as comfortable as possible, Gideon allowed his thoughts to roam. Even though Ile de la Lune was likely in an uproar, and the king was probably putting out fires left and right, it was odd that he would request Eve’s presence. She didn’t normally get involved in the goings-on of the monarchy.
The king would have to make a statement regarding the failed attempt to overthrow his reign and would likely have to explain Alexandre’s involvement in some way. Maybe he needed help in preparing what he should say about—
Realization hit. Dread filled him, and he couldn’t believe he hadn’t seen this coming. The king only had one heir to his throne now. It would be expected that Eve would succeed her father.
And there was no way she would say no.
CHAPTER FORTY-THREE
Eve knew it was a stupid, bizarre comparison, but she walked into her father’s private office as if she were going to the guillotine. The life she loved was about to end, so comparing the situation to a death seemed appropriate.
A part of her felt guilty for feeling this way. How many people would love to become queen of a beautiful country filled with wonderful people, an amazing history, and a bright, shining future?
She told herself that she could still do good work and help people. She would just be performing it in a different capacity and in a vastly different way.
Her father stood to greet her, his smile looking only slightly forced, but his blue eyes were solemn. He knew what this was costing her, but they both knew there was no other option.
Hugging her to him, he said into her ear, “You will make a worthy queen.”
Holding back her emotions, she said softly, “Thank you, Papa.”
She gazed around the room, unsurprised to see her uncle sitting to the right of her father’s desk. For as long as Oliver Wellingsley had been king, Jacques had been at his side. And while her father could have decreed that his brother would be his successor, that would be a temporary fix at best. His brother was only a couple years younger, and his health wasn’t as good as the king’s. The added stress of ruling a kingdom would not be good for him.
The other people in the office were the king’s aide, Stephan Bernard, and his private secretary, Louis Fournier.
“You know everyone here,” her father said.
“Yes.” She nodded toward her uncle, Stephan, and Louis. All three of the men were privy to everything that involved the king and knew what this meeting was about.
“Have a seat, Lina,” her father said. “Do you need any refreshment?”
“No, thank you, Papa. I’m fine.”
“We’re all aware of the reason we are here, so let’s openly discuss the details, as well as how we’ll inform the nation.”
“I still believe we should wait until Nicolas’s body has been found,” Louis said.
“The plane was found broken into thousands of pieces,” her father said wearily. “Nicolas and his beautiful family are gone. They’ve called off the search.”
“I agree with the king,” Jacques said. “Our country needs the reassurance that the monarchy is intact. The attack we’ve just survived, the loss of Nicolas and his family, the king’s illness, along with Alexandre’s treasonous acts, have all put the entire country in an uproar. We must show continuity and stability as soon as possible.”
“What about the two cousins who were in the line of succession?” Stephan asked. “Should we contact them?”
“Not until we’re ready to make the announcement,” the king answered. “I’m not going to waste time discussing succession with two distant cousins, individuals no one in our country has ever even heard or knows anything about. Lina has returned and accepted her role back into the family.”
“Very well,” Louis said. “Then we are in agreement that your daughter will be named your successor?”
All eyes went to Eve, who had yet to make any kind of statement on the topic. She supposed it was a moot point. There was no one else, and everyone knew she would see this as her responsibility. Still, it rankled to have her life and future discussed in front of her as if she wasn’t allowed to have a say.