38. Untrustworthy

**Chester**

“And I already have one of the mines on standby,” Christopher stated. He joined the tips of his fingers together. “If you’re still not sure about it, I’d be happy to give you a tour of the workshop. I guarantee to you that all of my workers are skilled in their fields and we only source our materials from the most ethical factories.”

With a smile, I placed the folder back on the table. “That is interesting. I hope you don’t mind, but I’m feeling a bit parched.”

“Of course! Where are my manners? You!” He snapped his fingers. “Go get His Majesty some of our best ice tea! Hurry it up!”

The maid bowed her head and hurried to fulfill his orders. Christopher’s office had a nice view of the gardens. We sat on two lovely red velvet couches that were soft to the touch. A black table separated us. I gazed out the window.

So this is the place Ester grew up in. I haven’t seen her mother. I wondered what her life was like growing up, how she was raised.

Christopher followed my gaze and chuckled. “Great hedges, right? The gardener has been working here for decades. He’s very good at following requests.”

I ignored what he said and returned my focus to him. “So is that the only thing you want, for me to pour money into it? ‘Cause I have a feeling there’s more you’re not telling me."

He shook his head, that smile still on his face. There was no way to escape the sight of his teeth unless I looked away. "As expected of Your Majesty. I'm not asking for anything much, just that you make an announcement that we have your support. I mean, you're well respected in the business world, and not just because you're our ruler. This is something new so a lot of people might end up being skeptical, but if you endorse it then their minds will be put at ease."

"Hm." I nodded. "That makes a lot of sense."

“Oh! So you agree?”

“I wouldn’t say that. There are still a lot of things to consider. I’ve yet to see these workshops that you keep talking about.”

“Yes, yes! Of course!” Christopher slapped his hands together and rubbed them against each other. “We can go anytime that you’d prefer! If you’re available, we can even go there today.”

Before Christopher could receive a confirmation, my phone pinged. I slipped it out of my pocket and smiled once I saw who it was from.

“Sorry about that. It’s from my daughter. She wanted to show me what she did with the paintings she bought from the festival she went to with Ester yesterday. It seems that humans aren’t the only ones who can wear fur coats.”

I watched him nod as if he could somehow relate.

“Teenagers, am I right? You never know what goes on in that brain of theirs.” He shook his head. “From that grin on your face I can tell that you’re a family man.”

My lips stretched further. “Ever since I took Anna in after my brother died, I’ve loved her as my own and she loves me back. Maybe that’s because I prefer not to call my daughter a hypocritical bitch who's just like her grandmother.

The smile dropped from his face. Now it was my turn to show some teeth.

“Is something wrong, Christopher?”

“I… hah.” Nervous laughter slipped out of his mouth. He got up from his seat for the first time since sitting down and walked around it. “Where did you hear something like that, Your Majesty?"

Every twitch of his eye, the way he adjusted the collar of his Gacci shirt, and even the change in his pattern of breathing was registered by me.

Two of my fingers tapped on the side of my temple. "I have eyes and ears everywhere, so you tell me."

"Um, uh, ah! I think I remember saying something like that. It was when my daughter came to visit me. She was acting up after I denied a request of hers. She's quite spoiled, you see. Anger got the best of me and I must have lost control of my emotions for a second. I didn't know that it would affect her so much that she would tell you," he said.

Excuses, excuses. He's got guts, that's for sure.

I chuckled, then laughed. I laughed so hard that my right leg fell from its place on my left knee. He was uncomfortable but did I give a shit?

After taking a deep breath, I stared right into his eyes. All the humor was drained from my face.

"You've got a lot of guts lying to the king of your country. You want to know how I know that? The maid that came with Ester is a native from the forest of lost souls, a 'Shadow'. Amanda is biologically unable to lie to me while under her contract."

The look of distressing realization in his expression was as satisfying as a tall glass of lemonade in the hot summer. Speaking of drinks, the maid returned with a tray of glasses and a pillar of ice tea. She was entirely oblivious to the tension in the room. "I have the drink you requested, Sir."

Christopher ignored her. He stood in front of the sofa, facing me. "I might be rough at times but I don't see how any of that matters. As the man of the house I have to make sure that everything, and everyone, is in order. It isn't easy! So I don't get why you seem to be judging me, Your Majesty."

Try as he might, I could sense the anger in his tone. It, too, tasted delicious.

I stood up, my build towering over him. I grabbed a fistful of his shirt, bringing him closer despite the table between us.

"As you said, I'm a family man. How can I stand by when my in-laws are treating their daughter like some kind of filthy doormat?"

With a heavy shove, Christopher fell onto the cushions. I smirked.

"I don't like liars either," I said sternly. "I find them untrustworthy. We can't have a dishonest man as the head of the Hermonia family now, can we?"

"W-What… What are you saying?" He stuttered.

*Ah, the sweet scent of fear.*

"I'm stripping you of your title. The businesses, lands, houses, and the Hermonia estate itself, will no longer be yours."