Helia’s heart thumped in her chest. She didn’t know what to make of this. She sat down and he pushed the chair in, then rounded the table to face her.
‘You look good there, Your Majesty.’
‘Vasili, don’t tease.’ Obviously it was all in her head, but the chair, the table, this whole office, suddenly felt far too big for her.
‘I’m not. Here are a few things to remember, Helia. Firstly, always make them come to you. Especially Andreas. Use my office or your own—it doesn’t matter. Never go to them. Secondly, you’re the Queen of Thalonia. The title might chafe, but it brings power. Wield it.’
‘It’s not that easy,’ she admitted.
‘No, it isn’t. I understand this is all overwhelming, and that everyone here might seem as if they know more than you do, and that’s fine. Learn from them, but don’t ever let them forget who they’re talking to.’
She understood what he was doing. In giving her his chair, Vasili was establishing the power balance between her and his closest advisor. Gratitude clogged her throat. But there was no time to express it because there was a knock at the door. Vasili held her gaze a moment longer, then turned around and perched on the edge of the table.
Andreas’s attitude generally frustrated her, so she watched with some satisfaction as he entered the room and stopped in his tracks when he caught sight of them. The older man’s brows knitted together, and for the first time she was glad for the change in her wardrobe. She doubted this would be nearly as effective if she had still been dressed like a librarian.
‘Your Majesties.’ Andreas inclined his head as he sketched a small bow.
‘Andreas,’ Vasili said. The authority in his voice was impressive. ‘Have a seat.’
Helia watched him sit down in the chair opposite, casting a cursory glance her way before fixing his attention on the King.
‘We wish to speak to you about the public appearance to be held once we return from our honeymoon.’ He didn’t take his eyes off Andreas. ‘Helia, why don’t you tell him what we have decided?’
She knew she needed to pass this initial test by wielding her power with a man who still attempted to intimidate her. She hoped her nervousness wouldn’t show in her voice.
‘Our first outing will be to the Seidon orphanage. We will meet with the caregivers there and the children. In that meeting we are going to find out exactly how the home is run, what help they need, and then work on measures to help.’
With every word she could see Andreas growing more and more unimpressed, until he could no longer keep his opinions leashed.
‘Absolutely not.’
‘I’m sorry?’ replied Helia, afraid that her idea was going to die in this room.
Andreas took his time answering. No doubt choosing his words as diplomatically as possible. ‘As admirable as your intentions may be, that is not an appropriate choice for your first sighting as King and Queen. The point is to introduce you both to the Kingdom and the world—because make no mistake the world will be watching—and show you in the best possible light. Not doing something that will take the focus away from you. We don’t want the first thing we put on show to be—’
‘Our country’s failures? Should we hide everything that’s wrong so that it will make everyone look good?’ Helia challenged.
She knew she needed to be calm—she felt anything but. Her voice had risen as anger had coursed through her. Men like Andreas were the reason she and the other children had been cold in winter. Why they’d had to make do with what little they’d had.
Andreas didn’t even look slightly uncomfortable. ‘Every kingdom has its issues. It’s an unfortunate reality.’
‘Issues?’ Helia exclaimed in disbelief. She was certain that this was not how a queen should behave, but she couldn’t stop herself now. ‘We need to do something about it.’
She could see the battle she would be facing to have her goals met. With Vasili having accepted his duty purely for the concern of his people, she reasoned that he would be on her side in her quest, but getting everyone else to play their part would be a fight.
‘Eventually we may be able to look into it.’
A non-committal answer if ever there was one.
‘We need to look at more appropriate public appearances and I am happy to help you with that.’
‘What is more appropriate than showing an interest in helping the children of Thalonia? Where will this kingdom be without them? You are determined to secure the future of our nation, so surely this fits in with that objective?’
Gone was the quiet librarian. Right now, in this office, she would fight with all she had for her people.
Andreas had gone tense with frustration. ‘I didn’t say we wouldn’t do anything about it, only that we need to choose wisely for your first public appearance. We have numerous options available to us. There is a charity concert being held by the symphonic orchestra. That would resonate well, as previous kings and queens have often chosen the same event. It will show the people that you are willing to uphold our traditions despite your history.’
Helia didn’t miss the jab, but Andreas ploughed on.
