CHAPTER 7

Kingston took a step towards the door until he realized she hadn’t gotten out of her chair yet. Her head was hanging, she looked defeated, exhausted, and he scowled at her.

“Permission to speak, Ma’am?” he asked quietly.

She nodded without lifting her head.

“By all means, speak.”

He ignored that and stepped closer.

“You need to eat. Should I call to have something brought to you here?”

“No, King, that won’t be necessary,” she said and pushed herself up from her seat.

Romaine grinned, looking overly happy, and scooped up the papers.

“I’ll be fine, I promise.”

“Do you do this often, Ma’am?”

“Do what, King?”

“Neglect your own needs.”

Her smile slipped a little but didn’t fall completely.

“I do what I have to do as a future ruler… That is what I’ve been taught to do since I was old enough to understand politics.”

“You won’t be able to carry out your duties if you’re performing at half capacity,” Kingston insisted.

“I perform just fine, tha