UNWANTED

CHAPTER 21 - M10.16 - LIZAVETA

When the noon sun was high above our heads, I waved to the people of Lesya one last time before ducking into the train that would take me through my tour. Their cheers were deafening, and I couldn't help but smile at them. I wondered how much they were paid to scream out my name.

The train was a hassle. Flying would have been easier, but this was tradition apparently, and tradition always trumps efficiency. I mean, why else did I need to have a husband?

At least here, I can hide in a room and ignore the news.

The media already broke the immigrant story; how the new empress invited the Onus-sympathizing North Africans to live on tax-free land.

The reaction was mixed.

Humanitarians applauded it but asked why I couldn't extend the same courtesy to the lower-income citizens. They didn't know that the proposal to do the same was already in the works. By the time we get the law out they'll think it was a reaction rather than an act of prudence. And by then, they'd find something else to be dissatisfied with.

It was just...

I didn't know how many mistakes I'd already done by the time I froze in the hall of the train.

The problem with having a moral compass was the fact that no one had one identical to yours. What I deemed true north might be something someone else swore was south. But normal people had the privilege of ghosting other people they disagreed with. I couldn't ghost a whole continent.

A few hours ago, I was almost happy. Right now, all I could do was complain.

This was what I was afraid of. Aside from the usual assassination threats, I feared not being enough for my people. How could I be enough when I didn't know what I was doing? How could I lead the people when my only form of orientation was a sadistic, abusive, maniac?

"They'll arrive in a few seconds." Akim said to me, handing me the tablet I asked for.

"Only four?" I asked.

"Yes." She folded her hands together. "You will be meeting the rest tonight."

As I asked, I wanted to give them all a fair game. I owed it to them to at least give them a conversation they could remember. Maybe I'll like one of them. Maybe they can distract me enough from breaking down into a puddle of sludge after the critics start chirping for the night's news; where they greet you a good evening and continue to tell you why the evening's not good.

"Akim."

"Yes, your imperial majesty?"

"Did I make a mistake... a few hours ago?"

She pursed her lips. "I understand your choice, but whether it was the right choice or not, only time will tell."

I sighed. Most people thought it was a mistake and I was on the fence about believing them. It was so black and white to me that I didn't understand how they could think the way they did. "Speaking of choices... do you think the others have a chance?"

She smirked. "No." Akim said matter-of-factly.

"Speak freely. Why?"

"You favor Prince Konstantinos, so he's a front-runner." She said. "But you also moved legislation for Prince Akihito, something you haven't done for any of the others, and it's a very political move... and that is indicative of affection or at least professional respect since you don't like politics."

I did it out of guilt.

"And the other two?"

"I got word that you punched Theo Velez, and the night after that he ended up in the hospital... and yet you invited him here." She looked at me, knowingly. "The rest of the Privy Council is rooting for him."