Two months after we arrive, we’re given word that we are able to return to the Royal Sector. The east wing of the palace is now habitable, though the central portion and the west wing will take at least a year of repairs.

Lochlan and Karri have been staying with us in Consul Beeching’s manor, but when servants begin packing to return to the Royal Sector, I’m surprised to hear from Tessa that Lochlan and Karri are planning to return to their small apartment in Artis.

I go to find Lochlan, and he’s loading his own belongings into a trunk.

“The servants would have gotten to your quarters,” I tell him.

He snorts. “I don’t need servants.”

“Well, they would have.” I pause. “Are you really not moving to the palace?”

“I don’t belong in the palace.” He gestures around the room. “I really didn’t belong here. I shouldn’t have stayed this long, but I was worried these people were going to tear you apart.”

“Oh, they’re still going to try.”

“I know.” He studies me. “But you’re on your feet now.” He pauses. “Your Majesty.”

I’m still not used to it. The title tugs at me in a way that hurts.

I wonder if it did that to Harristan after our father died. I wonder if it will ever stop.

I cross my arms and lean against the doorway. “How will you keep up your studies?”

It’s a genuine question. When he determined to stay, I hired him a tutor the very next day.

Lochlan looks back at the things he’s packing. “Karri will help me. You don’t need to keep paying someone.”

“I didn’t mind.”

He says nothing to that, and silence builds between us for a while.

Eventually, I break it. “Do you really want to leave?”

He scoffs. “I already told you. I don’t belong there.”

“That’s not what I asked.”

His hands go still on his belongings. “You’ve done enough for me. I can go back to my job in the forges and stop making a fool of myself in front of all these people.”

“You’re not making a fool of yourself. I rather liked it when you told Baron Vannerling to go stick his head in the watering trough if he needed to cool off.”

Lochlan smiles.

“And I could give you a job in the palace,” I add.

“Cleaning privies? No thank you.”

I raise my eyebrows. “The role of King’s Justice is open.”

He stares at me.

“Rather unexpectedly,” I add.

“Shut up, Cory.” He goes back to packing.

“I’m making a genuine offer, Lochlan. I’ve been receiving increasing pressure to name someone to the role, and I need someone I can trust, but who would be willing to stand firm when we differ on matters of importance. I had considered one of my brother’s guards, but I don’t know that they would contradict me when necessary.”

He says nothing to that.

“For example,” I continue, “I’m not sure I could find another person in the kingdom who would say, ‘Shut up, Cory,’ directly to my face.”

He grins. “I bet I could.”

“Exactly why you’re perfect for the role.”

He sobers. “I wouldn’t be like you.”

“I don’t want you to be like me. That’s why I’m asking you.”

“What’s the pay?”

I can tell that he’s teasing, but I tell him anyway. He blanches.

Sits down.

I smile and turn away from his door. “Get used to servants,” I call.