The Weight of a Crown by Teralyn Mitchell

Author:Teralyn Mitchell
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Teralyn Mitchell

“How could you put so little effort into something as important as this, Benjamin?”

“I’m sorry, Mother,” Benjamin said. “I didn't want to waste a lot of time on it because it won't be the final proposal. I promise once you’ve made the final decision, I will work with my brothers and sister, and we’ll have a complete proposal with all the information.”

Elizabeth stared at her son for a long moment; she didn’t speak even when he started shifting in his seat. She hadn’t decided if she’d have this meeting with Benjamin after his presentation, but the more she thought about it, the more it angered her he had not taken this seriously.

“What we saw yesterday is reaffirming our decision to hold this competition, so to speak.”

Benjamin hung his head. “Again, I apologize, Mother.”

Elizabeth pursed her lips, folding her hands in her lap. “Why do you want to be king?”

“Excuse me?”

“Why do you want to be the king of Ceshela?”

Benjamin did not answer right away. Elizabeth waited for his response.

“I want to be the king because I care about Ceshela and its people. I know I can build on what you have already accomplished and make our country even better than it already is. While still providing for the people, I can make the guard one of the best Caesea has ever had.”

“How will you provide for the people when you do not care about their welfare?”

“I do care, Mother.”

“How am I to believe that when every chance you get to prove that, you show you do not care? All you seem to care about are our affluent citizens. The only projects you take in interest in are ones that will benefit them. But Benjamin, our country isn’t as great as it is because of the wealthy. It’s great because of the common folks who do the jobs none of us are willing to do. They are the ones taking care of our children, making sure we stay healthy, fed, and educated. They are the backbone of this country, so we should do everything in our power to show them we appreciate them. We should make their lives easier. If you can’t understand that, then you’re not ready to be the next ruler of Ceshela.”

Benjamin nodded, but Elizabeth wasn’t sure if he truly took in what she’d said. Elizabeth wished her eldest understood what it meant to be a ruler. She feared that if they reinstated him as the heir and he took over for her, he could plunge this country into an era just as dark as King Ellwood Annesley or darker. She would not allow that to happen.

“You’re dismissed, Benjamin.”

“I will try harder, Mother,” he promised.

She stared at him, searching to see if those words were true.

“That’s all I can ask, Son.”

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