Caldur bristled. "You find this amusing?"
"I think your absence all these years has clouded your mind on how matters are run in this kingdom," Thurston said, his voice steady, though his eyes burned with quiet fury. "I am Prime Minister, and in Her Majesty's absence, it is my duty to oversee the affairs of the crown."
"And I am the King. That means…"
"King Consort," Thurston interrupted.
Caldur stilled. "What?"
"You are the King Consort. Not the King. The titles are not the same. I suggest you learn the difference. You are a title. A formality. A ribbon tied to a crown. Nothing more."
"I doubt it matters."
"No, that's where you're wrong," Thurston said, taking a step closer. "It matters greatly. Calling yourself king—as if that grants you rule—suggests you are challenging Her Majesty's authority. That borders on treason. You remember the punishment for that, don't you?"
Caldur's jaw tightened. "It is not treason to try and maintain order when the kingdom is in disarray. Someone must act."
"And what exactly have you managed to control?" Thurston snapped. "It's been hours since the queen was taken, and we are no closer to knowing where she is or who dared to touch her. You've done nothing."
"I have information," Caldur said through clenched teeth. "But as I've already said, it will be shared in council."
Thurston lifted a brow. "Have the council members been summoned, then?"
"They will be. Shortly."
"And Lord Ellingford?"
Caldur blinked. "What of him?"
"Has the man been taken into custody?"
"On what charge?" Caldur asked, his voice rising slightly.
"She was his guest," Thurston said, voice low and bitter. "He had a duty to protect her. He should have taken greater care."
"She had already left his estate when she was taken. The attack happened on the road."
"That does not absolve him," Thurston muttered. "He still must be questioned."
Caldur exhaled, his voice quieter now. "Lord Ellingford will only be summoned if there is reason—real reason—to suspect him. We will not imprison a man on speculation alone. What happened to Victoria was a tragedy, but we do not punish the innocent for the sins of the unknown."
"You are incompetent," Thurston spat out.
"In Victoria's absence," he growled, "I rule this kingdom. And I will warn you once, Thurston. Continue this insolence, and you may not remain Prime Minister for long."
Thurston's expression didn't flicker. "Very few people can remove me from that seat. And you are not one of them."
Caldur stepped forward. "I am the ruler of Malveria now. I am the Queen's husband, and I will see that the kingdom does not fall into chaos in her absence. Any decision made must go through me. As you answered to her, you will answer to me."
Thurston studied him for a long, tense moment. His next words were quiet.
"I take orders only from Victoria. That will not change now."
Caldur's jaw worked, and when he spoke again, it came through clenched teeth. "Then resign."
Silence fell between them. The kind that thickened the air. Even the guards near the door stood straighter.
Thurston's gaze darkened.
"She was right about you."
Caldur frowned. "Who?"
"Cassia. Everything you do reeks of ambition. Ambition to sit on a throne that doesn't belong to you."
With that, Thurston turned on his heels and left.