Page 98 of Uncrowned

I smiled bigger.

“I am, indeed.”

“But that can’t be why I’m here. Unless… it is why I’m here.”

“Not yet. But it is why I want to keep you close. I’m collecting evidence. I could technically fight with what my family has collected over the centuries, but it would never work. I need something better. Something undeniable.”

He huffed. “You’re going to need a lot more than that. Do you know how impossible it is to pull something like that off? Even if you did have evidence, you’re talking about⁠—”

“I know exactly what I’m talking about. It has to happen. I’m the king.”

“And I’m the Duke of Shelton… and yet I’m not.”

“You will be.”

His lips parted.

“You’re serious.”

“I plan to reinstate all the old titles, yes.”

“And the ones created during the Evan’s rule?”

I shrugged. “They can remain, but they will not outrank those of old.”

Theodore was quiet as he seemed to think.

“I can’t say I’m opposed to the idea. What I am unsure of is this.” His hands lifted, gesturing to the room. “Where the hell am I?”

“If I wanted you to know, I wouldn’t have had you blindfolded when I brought you here. Until I can trust you, it’s going to have to be a surprise.”

“Excellent. Alright. Why am I here?”

I stood from my throne.

“My future queen is missing. Not just… missing but… hidden from me.”

“I’m not a detective, Mr. Masterson. I’m a barrister.”

“With the connections needed to find her. She’s being held by the SLB.”

“Repeat that.”

Awareness sparked on Theodore’s face. Not because he was interested, but because I knew he had his own suspicions about the agency.

“You’ve heard of it. The Sovereign Liaison Bureau. The SLB. Tell me what you know.”

Astonishment had Theodore laughing. “It’s a ghost story. A fucking smoke show. I’ve been hearing stories about this shadow department for years. I haven’t dug in too deep, if you know what I mean, but I have poked around a bit. Are you telling me it exists?”

“Not only does it exist, but I also know who runs it.”

“Who?”

I shrugged. “If I tell you that, there’s no going back. They have my future queen, and I want her back. There’s only one person I can think of that can get to her. That’s you.”

I stepped forward, meeting his eyes with a seriousness that had his face sobering from any amusement.

“I need your help to find Penelope Taylor, Theodore. My queen is only the beginning. Work with me. Help me right the past. In return, not only will I reinstate your title as Duke of Shelton, but I will make your wildest dreams come true.”