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She snorted. ‘Chance would be a fine thing. We tried, my grandmother and I. Along with numerous delegations. But he refused to meet anyone. All the projections we sent him, all the scientific studies, the petitions and detailed analysis… All we got was a vague assurance that all input would be considered. Then the announcement that the dam would go ahead exactly as planned,for the public good.’
‘It can be hard to accept change but when there’s a clear public benefit—’
‘Publicbenefit? Are you serious?’
Her skin felt too tight to hold in her outrage. It felt as though ants crawled across her flesh. She wanted to leap up and stride around the room, waving her arms and releasing some of her pent-up emotions.
Instead she took a deep breath and looked out at the manicured formal gardens, seeking calm.
‘Youhaveread the documentation, haven’t you? You know most of the power generated and the profits will go to private companies beyond our borders?’
‘Only a percentage and only for a limited number of years. You can’t expect them to help fund such a big project without getting some return.’
Annalena turned and met his steady gaze. Even now, in the privacy of the palace, he refused to admit the truth. The disparity between the press release he quoted and the true plans was vast.
She dragged in a shuddering breath. He was as brazen as his father, not even a hint of concern that he was selling out his people so others could profit. Sohecould profit.
Her shoulders slumped and she sagged in her seat. He was persisting in the lie his father had created.
She’d hoped a frank discussion would make him see the dam was a monumental error that would do environmental, social and economic damage. But there was no reasoning with a man who didn’t see beyond the lining of his own pockets, for surely he’d get a cut of the profits.
Which meant her only hope was following through on her threat to wrest away the crown. She felt sick with dismay.
Annalena didn’t want to swap her career for a life hemmed in by pomp and ceremony, especially since King Karl had tainted that world. She wasn’t cut out for a royal life and feared she’d be overwhelmed as well as unprepared. Growing up with a title and a famous grandmother, she’d always been different to her peers. It had taken longer to make friends and be accepted. Some people still treated her differently. How much more isolating would it be as Queen?
Despite her fighting words earlier, she’d hoped this could be resolved simply. He’d tell her he’d changed his mind about the dam and she’d return home.
She couldn’t give up without one last try.
‘If you agreed not to proceed with the dam, and put it in writing, I’d consider signing away my rights to the crown.’
What was under that ground there that she so wanted to protect? Gold? Rare elements?
According to the summary Benedikt had read, the land was barely productive agriculturally and of little real value.
But to offer such a bargain…
She must have powerful reasons. To concoct a lie about being the true queen wasn’t something to undertake lightly. And if by some million-to-one chance there was something in her claim, why agree to give it up for a dam?
He was missing something. Benedikt hated that feeling. He had a flair for business but most of his success came from hard work and attention to detail. He never allowed himself to be caught unprepared.
But Annalena of Edelforst had done just that. He felt as if she’d ripped the antique carpet out from beneath his feet and he’d suffered concussion from smashing his head on the floor.
In the hours since she’d flounced into the palace, he and Matthias had followed up her claim of royal lineage. He made a mental note to review the files for the dam project as soon as possible.
He’d only had time to read the summary report, because he was trying to get across so many things in a short time. His father had been selective about which royal matters he took on, keeping real power to himself, jealous even of his son who’d one day inherit. Now Benedikt paid the price for that.
‘Do we have a deal?’
She had to be kidding. There’d be no deal of any kind until he knew exactly what was going on and why.
‘I don’t do deals with people who try to blackmail me.’
He had the satisfaction of seeing her eyes widen in dismay. A softer man might almost feel sorry for her.
Except she was trying to manipulate him, something he abhorred. His father had revelled in making people dance to his tune, playing on their vulnerabilities.
Was that what Annalena had attempted with her big, doe eyes? Making a production of eating that gateau as if it were a prelude to sex? The way she’d taken her time biting into it then chewing, eyes flickering half closed as if in sensual delight, then licking away crumbs from her sweetly curved mouth.