Chapter 157

Charles

I washed my hands quickly as George watched me with a tense gaze.

"Your Majesty, this is Lt. Grace at the Midwest Outskirt Enforcer Base."

I smiled. "Lt. Grace, odd for you to be calling me."

"I was told that you were the person to call. My apologies for interrupting your evening. Lady Redwood is at the gate."

I frowned and glanced at George. "Which Lady Redwood?"

"Lady Tessa Redwood," he said.

I leaned on the counter, considering it. George's eyes widened, and a mischievous grin appeared on his face.

"What is she doing there?"

Who told her I'd been there recently? Who told her that I'd likely be there again sooner than I would be back at the castle. George slipped out of his seat and headed back into the dining room, where I could hear Eason speaking.

The officer shrugged, a gesture almost audible through the line. "Lady Redwood wouldn't say other than to speak to you. She's determined. We tried to turn her away, but she's still sitting outside the gate."

I smiled. I was glad to hear that someone was still as loyal to me as I expected. I thought about letting her sit out there until she learned some manners or left, but I pushed that away. I didn't need her father wondering why I wouldn't see her since he knew she was my mate.

Sighing, I considered a path forward.

"Tell her first that I'm not there, and you don't know when I'll be there. If she insists on remaining, let her into the base. Give her..." I smirked. "The crappiest room you have."

"Your Majesty?"

"Make her as uncomfortable as possible." I smiled. "We don't need any more surprises, and while she's there, keep a close eye on her. I want to know who she speaks to, how she speaks to them when she leaves quarters--everything. Let her leave when she decides she can't handle it."

The officer's voice turned mischievous. "Consider it done, Your Majesty."

Ending the call, I pondered Tessa's sudden appearance. I tapped my fingers on the counter for a second before finishing up and putting the pork in the oven. Whatever game Tessa was playing, I'd find out long before I went there, assuming she hung in there long enough for it to be necessary.

With any luck, she'd show her hand, and I'd have a complete list of who among my forces she's been sleeping with and getting information from.

I went back into the dining room and almost laughed at the look of frustration and boredom on Grace's face. Esme looked pleased with herself, sitting beside Eason and looking over the parchment he'd been working on earlier.

His laptop was practically glowing as he worked. Esme glanced at me. I sat down beside Grace, looking at the book in her hand. She hadn't made it very far since I'd seen her earlier.

I grabbed a book for something to do while dinner was in the oven. Before I realized it, a timer went off. Esme was patting Eason on the shoulder.

"Get yourself something to eat," she said and stood before looking at me. "I'm trusting you not to distract her for long."

"Dinner," I promised. "Then it'll be back to studying.

Esme nodded and headed out. Grace glowered at me.

"I feel like I'm back in high school."

I twirled a lock of her hair around my finger.

"My instincts tell me that you were a terrible student, but I'm sure I'll get the story out of you over dinner."

She pouted as I stood to go get dinner. The scent of it filled the air, relaxing me in a way I hadn't expected to. As I was plating dinner for us, Eason came downstairs, pulling George after him with a brilliant smile. He looked like he'd won something.

"Headed off to be naughty?" I asked.

Eason's shoulders slumped. "Still not medically cleared for fun."

He sighed dramatically. "Sadly, I will just have to make do with a fantastic dinner out."

George shrugged on his coat. "Esme said it would be good for him to get out."

He pouted. "Lawyer-Witch orders? Not a date?"

George blinked. His expression softened.

"A date, too."

Eason grinned madly and grabbed George's hand. "Don't let her slack off!"

I chuckled as Eason hurried George out the door, leaving Grace and me with a rare moment of solitude. Esme followed just behind them, donning her cloak and pulling out her floating scepter.

"Until tomorrow."

She left, and the house fell eerily quiet. I carried the plates to the dining room. Grace was still glowering down at her book, glancing between the book and her copy of the subpoena. It didn't look at all like she'd made any progress, but that was to be expected.

I spelled a chair to pull away from the table. The books slid aside and out of reach of spills. The book she had opened floated over her head to sit on top of the stacks. Her eyes widened as I set her plate in front of her, and the silverware floated to lay beside her plate.

I sat across from Grace, a playful smirk playing on my lips. "Well, this wasn't exactly the date I had in mind, but I suppose a cozy dinner in our own home will have to suffice."

"You've... never done magic like that in front of me before," she said. "Why now?"

"Does it bother you?"

"No, it's just..." She huffed. "I'm feeling a little out of sorts."

She fiddled with her shirt sleeve. "I didn't realize I'd signed myself up to get a degree in law."

I snorted. "You didn't."

"No one ever said becoming senator came with so much homework."

I chuckled, leaning back in my chair. "Why give the next generation any warning? For what it's worth, you're taking on a big goal. You're doing your best, and that's all anyone can reasonably ask of you."

Her smile was both tired and appreciative. "Thanks, I guess... You wouldn't happen to be able to give me a lecture or something on all this, would you?"

I tilted my head. "Are you an auditory learner?"

She winced. "No, actually. I'm better with reading."

"Then...?" I cut a piece of pork. "Are you telling me you just lack proper motivation?"

She huffed and started to eat. "Why would I be motivated to learn any of this? Do any of those jerks on the senate now know any of this?"

"Very little. They have legal aides for any in-depth legal research they need to do, but I was under the impression you didn't want to just trust someone else to do it for you."

She flinched and wrinkled her nose. "I suppose I didn't think about it that way."

"You did," I said. "Why don't you tell me what's actually wrong?"

She glanced at me. Then, shook her head. "I'll get over it. Tell me what the capital was like? The Red House?"

I cocked an eyebrow. "You've never been?"

She shook her head. "No reason to."

"Werewolves get odder and odder by the moment. Every person in the Clans' territories has been to Blackwoods Castle at some point in their life."

"Why?" She blinked.

"Because it's important for them to see me as a real person. It's been that way since the Clans were first unified. A king has to meet his people just as much as they have met him. I would have thought with all of your tests and examinations, a field trip to the capital of the nation wouldn't be so far out there."

She shrugged. "Honestly, it never seemed important. Most people only care about what their alphas are doing... Legislature that high up doesn't really affect us in the smaller packs."

I glanced at the books and nodded. "I can see why Esme thought it necessary."

She frowned. "What do you mean?"

"You want things to change," I said. "And while admirable, how can you change anything if you don't actually know how things are?" I flicked my fingers, and a bottle of wine and two glasses floated in. The bottle poured two glasses before setting aside.

"What if there's actually nothing wrong with the system?"

"Well, obviously there is," she said. "The fact that there's a terrorist in the employ of the president is a problem."

"Is that a legislature issue or an issue born of who is in power? You could argue that any leader with armed forces has, essentially, a terrorist organization in its employ. After all, what is the purpose of a standing army other than to deter attacks or otherwise influence other countries into behaving?"

She blinked at me. "It's kind of easy... forgetting you're a king sometimes."

I smiled. "I don't want you to view me as a king... unless that's the mood you're in."

She bit her lip as I lifted my glass. "Let's talk about something more... uplifting. Did you get that glitter paint for Cecil?"