Page 14 of Royal Resistance

“King Theodor abdicated without realizing that his daughter couldn’t inherit,” I tell him when there’s a break in the line. “She was set to succeed him, but there was some caveat that shifted the succession. Selene was out of luck.” I should have more sympathy for her since her entire life had most likely revolved around being the next queen. Maybe if I felt more strongly that I’ve made the right decision, I would be.

“Constitutional monarchy,” Duncan says ruefully. “Avelaine’s royal family is slowly losing influence. You’re lucky Laandia doesn’t have such archaic laws.”

“If we did, I’m sure Dante would have already tried to challenge me for the throne,” I mutter. I know my brother is disappointed in my decision, but his attitude is overkill. He’s pouting like a three-year-old who lost their favourite toy, only he’s managing to do it in a way that people are sympathetic to him and blaming me.

I’m the firstborn. The heir to the throne, and I’m being criticized for not stepping aside for my brother?

Duncan bumps my shoulder with his. “You’d totally take him.”

I’m not too sure. My brother has a vindictive side, plus he plays dirty.

Diandra rejoins us a few minutes later. “Benny thinks you can start to wrap this up,” she tells us with the confidence of someone who knows everything about what is going on behind the scenes. She’s always been like that: joining us on tour and hanging around the studio when we were recording. Even when she and Duncan stayed at the castle with me during breaks, Diandra made a point of befriending the staff and the people of Battle Harbour.

People talk to her, even more than they do Duncan.

No one talks to me now, because I’m their king.

I’m going to have to change that. I don’t want to be the king my father was. I want to be better. To do better.

But now, all I can see is the throng of people still wanting to talk to me. I’ve never had a problem being the centre of attention, but even I think this is exhausting. “How do you figure?”

“I can see the end of the line now. You should close it up. If people are late, they shouldn’t be allowed to do the meet and greet,” she says.

“How many times are you late for something?” Duncan chides his sister.

“I’m special.”

I grin at her. “In so many ways.”

Diandra suddenly grips my arm. “Oh, Pierre Trudeau and his son are coming up. Keep it open so I can meet them. And also, I want to find out who that blonde was.”

“There are many blondes here,” I point out.

“That one.” Diandra jerks her chin toward where Selene and her friend are standing on the other side of the room.

“She’s a princess,” Duncan chimes in.

“Former princess,” I correct.

“Perfect. You don’t need to deal with another country when you still have to figure out how to deal with the one you have.”

I don’t respond because Dee is right. I do have to figure out how to deal with Laandia. Ruling Laandia.

Being a king, not just a guy in a band.

Diandra stays to meet the Trudeau family, and then Kevin Costner. And then, a few minutes later, Benny sidles up behind us and says I’m free.

Of the receiving line.

I head straight for the bar, Duncan and Diandra right behind me, and order three pints.

Without a word, Duncan and I down the frothy ale, always a race to see who can finish first.

I take a breath three-quarters down, and Duncan slams his empty glass on the bar. Diandra tries, but she doesn’t have a chance of beating her brother.

“She’s right, you know.” Duncan gives me the look as the bartender refills the glasses. “What she said before. You should take some time tonight to meet—”

“I am not picking up a woman here!”