Her Unwanted Mate On The Throne novel Chapter 140

Chapter 140 Respect is easy to gain

Guards stood behind the men’s chairs as they seated themselves at the table. No food was yet offered to them and it didn’t seem like it would be until the deal was set in stone. They looked ragged and tired, but William looked as if he had slept the whole time they were in there despite not leaving his chair once. He was fresh, alert, and ready for any sort of battle about to be thrown his way.

“Talk.” William commanded. Her eyes lingered on the stumble that formed around his chin again. She imagined how scratchy it would feel against her skin and suddenly she realized how tired she was. 1

Edward cleared his throat. “We realized that their suffering was worse than we thought it would be. We don’t have much experience with going hungry.”

“I’m sure you don’t.” William braced his elbows on the table. “That is not what I wanted to hear. You don’t sound as if you understand them at all. I watched as children offered to give up their only meal to help the rogues that were close to their death. You missed one meal and suddenly you can understand what they’re going through?”

“We want to make things right.” Mal said nervously. His clothes were wrinkled and sweaty.” We may have cut back a portion of their food inventory for some of the villages, but we want to double it-“

“You’re going to send four times the amount.” William interrupted. Their eyes grew a little wide and Doris only felt a strange attraction for him. She’d never seen him in action like this, was he always so… kingly? No room for objections, only his demands.

“Prince William-”

“I don’t want to hear it. The north is full of good people just as this kingdom is. Their bad reputation doesn’t mean they don’t deserve to be treated like people. You can’t withhold food and expect them to survive, that would kill thousands.” William narrowed his eyes. “They pay their monstrous taxes just for you to cut them their earned food?”

Edward shifted in his seat. She saw a bead of sweat trail down his forehead. “I never took you for a leader, Prince William. I thought you had no interest in politics.”

“You’ve been seeing wrong, then. I know what’s best for my people and I won’t let money hungry wolves try to take down lower class people any longer.”

Edward leaned back in his chair and looked at William in a new light. Doris must have felt a bit delirious from lack of sleep, because she only wanted to laugh. “How long have you been like this, William? We all thought you were reckless and didn’t have a care in the world expect about who would lay in your bed next.”

Edward’s eyes flickered to Doris on William’s side and she prayed that her face wasn’t as red as she felt it was. She clenched her hands into fists under the table the second he looked   Respect is easy to gain away from her. The utter embarrassment from a single glance was enough to set her on fire once more.

“I’ve always had an interest in being a leader. Everyone drew their own assumptions of me in their minds and ran with it, that is not my concern. My concern is doing what’s best for this kingdom and all of the people around it.”

“Consider the food agreement already done. We will have the food sent out by this afternoon.” Edwards said suddenly. Mal glanced at him in surprise but said nothing to object. A satisfied wave swirled in her chest.

A new glint replaced the irritation and fear that had been previously in Edward’s eyes. He almost looked, impressed by the way William was acting. How was that possible? He leaned towards William.

“Now that that is settled, what else are your plans to better help your people? How do you suppose you’ll do that when your brother is the one set to take the throne?” Edwards tilted his head. “Are you planning on helping him when he becomes king?”

“He may be set to take the throne, but nothing is ever in stone.” William said simply. She could tell that he didn’t trust these men yet but his words spoke volumes. He all but confirmed he was now after the throne for himself.

Edward raised his brows as if he didn’t expect this to become of their conversation. “That’s true. I always thought your brother was too-soft to take on a role like this. He never once took matters into his own hands or thought about ways to make things better for his people.”

“Yes, he did. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a prince so determined to make sure things went through the way he wanted. Perhaps your brother could learn a thing or two from you instead of following your fathers shadow.”

William lifted his chin a little. “As to your previous question, I have many ideas on how to make this kingdom stronger. More strong than my brother would ever hope to make it.” William’s eyes glanced over the room at each face as if he was now talking to all of them. It sent chills down her body.

“For too long, we have allowed this kingdom to appear weak and selfish to outsiders. My father hasn’t been the same sort of ruler since I was born. He was once passionate about what he believed in, now he only cares about control and power. I won’t lead with a head full of selfish desires. I only want to improve this kingdom and I will stop at nothing to achieve that.”