If something happened, I am in the place that is first given knowledge. But it feels as if this is just a moment of gossip. These are the people I should trust with running the country properly. These would be out for the assassins. So it really does make sense I do this.
As things close out for the day, I turn to my father. I've been here before. "When I have time, I would love to join again."
My father nods. "Be the knight first. I wouldn't wish you spend your vacation days here."
"Am I being denied?"
"No." Father motions me out of the room. "But it will do you well to have rest days. I can see about taking a day or two here and there."
"I am Crown Prince."
"You are. Everyone was happy to see you there. Ignore the comments they made referring to me as a child."
I smirk. Those were amusing, though. Since I look like he did at this age, I was able to hear some stories. My father wasn't the most active crown prince. "I'm going to be called an escape artist."
Father sighs. "Even when you came to these meetings, you would try to sneak out after. It seems impossible to keep you under wraps."
"Thanks for giving me a teleporter." I grin at him.
"Don't make me revoke William's position. His goal is to keep the crown prince safe. Do not make him pick friendship over his duties."
"I won't." I would make him pick our friendship over becoming the king's weapon, though. "What is next?"
"I have an hour break before dinner begins. You are free to do as you wish."
"An hour break to work on something most can't see?" I ask him. Father doesn't catch my eyes. "I can help."
"Wouldn't you wish to spend that time with your friends?"
"They suggested I should act the crown prince while I was here between missions. I cannot suggest that a bad move. Show me everything you do in a day. One day I hope to fully take over your duties."
Father's smile is soft. His eyes tender. "Yes. I would like that very much."
This isn't the first time I have been working on such tasks. I am one of few who are allowed to see everything. The only one who can deny me is my father. Once he let me in, I was allowed to come. Asking to join him normally calms him over the future plans. I don't mind learning this. Certain things aren't allowed to be seen by everyone. "Father?" We've been working for a while. The only dialogue has been about how to handle things.
"Yes?"
"You know about all assassin attempts, right?" I didn't see any missives with Swifting attached.
"If I do not know about it, there is treason afoot. I don't need to agree to everything, but I am expected to know everything." Father offers me a smile, but his eyes are full of questions. "Why the ask?"
"Did you know about the assassins dealing with the knight hall?"
Father freezes staring at me. "I know you had to be involved in that, but it would do you well to know less."
That's a concerning thought. To know less. "You know of it?"
"Of it, yes."
"Is it an act of treason?" I catch his eyes. The answer is there: they didn't go through Father. He found out after the fact.
"Yes." Father leans back ignoring the work for a moment. "We are reviewing everything from the proper time to see if we can find any writing to suggest something, but it is coming up blank."
"Do you know who they're after?"
Father grits his teeth.
That's not an answer, though. It's more of a refusal to speak. "You do?"
"I do..." He rubs his head. "I really don't think they'll be successful."
"Why?"
Father stares at his papers. "Because your mother is far stronger than most realize. I knew marrying her gave me a strong guard. We married for more than love, Thomas. Or maybe that's not true. She married me because she loves the country that much."
The knowledge hits me hard. Mom was the target. That's why I am on quest to find answers. I cannot be the enemy of Mom. Who did? The only ones who can pull anything together are the red knights and the ministers I just saw. They could be trying to quell the Odin problem. As if taking the law into their own hands. If Mom cheated, then she can be marked for death.
But it was cheating. I know that. They may want something, but they won't do anything.
How do I handle this? Can I? I'm allowed to know. I'm allowed to get involved. Most would be marked with treason for much of this. "Father..."
"Yes?"
"Can you give Mom the allowance for a relationship with Odin?"
"What?" Father stands up glaring at me. "You want me to literally put it in writing that I allow my queen to have a relationship beyond me?"
"Because it'll look bad in the history books? Because you're jealous of their connection? Because you want to have a true romance with Mom? Why are you so aggressive when it comes to them?"
Father looks ready to beat me to a pulp. It's not me he wants to fight. He closes his eyes as if counting to ten. Then he sits back down. "If I write that out... Then everyone will know that I know and accept it. Then they cannot use that as an excuse to murder my queen."
"Yes. Exactly. They'll be marked with treason no matter what they try to suggest."
Father is slow to look at me. "You're very calculating. I knew that from the beginning. This complicated mind that will do the country well. If you are fully for the country." He leans on the arm on his chair watching me. "I can write that up, but in exchange may I have a guarantee?"
"Such as?"
"Sign the contract." Father focuses on me. "Not to marry now, but to accept the fact you'll marry in ten years."
"What if-"
"No. I want the country to look at Jessica as the future princess. To see her and recognize what the threat they are facing when they attack her. Or will you suggest you wouldn't act aggressively when it comes to her?"
I grind my teeth. I would act aggressively. But it's not juts her that would make me feel that way. I'd fight for several. "Father... I... Has she signed it already?"
"Yes." Father grins at me. "And you already knew that."
Everything needs to go through the king. He knows far more than most. I'll be expected to handle a lot. "Are you going to place the contract in law?"
"Yes. Once you sign it."
It would be a fight to change the path, but not impossible. Those contracts are not meant for fifteen year olds. But... Things will start being pressured when we reach twenty. "Mom told me I met her when I was five."
"Yes. She was giving her first meeting with the queen back then. You were fighting over not being allowed to join the tea party. Only to have the two of you to meet up in a random room. Of all circumstances to have happen... With all those rooms available. You both pick a random unused room to hide in?"
It must've been one of my escape attempts. I cover my face. How did we end up in the exact same empty room? That does sound suspicious.
"So we assumed and are still assuming this is a true love situation. If we didn't think that, the contract wouldn't be so well known."
I grunt and sink to the ground. What if it isn't?
"Will you sign it?"
As an exchange. "I'll sign it once you sign that Mom and Odin can have a relationship."
"I'll have that ready before you leave tomorrow morning. I expect you for breakfast."
Am I seriously doing this? "Yes. I'll see you for breakfast tomorrow."
"Do you need a break?"
"No. I'm here to learn this. To help you."
Father motions to the papers. "I am not planning to hand you the title at death, Thomas. When I am confident in you as the king, you will gain the title."
I exhale looking at the piles before him. "I... I look forward to that moment."
"Your marriage will come first. Do you understand me? I will not abdicate for you unmarried."
"Yes, Father. I understand."