as Cillian Byrne. I felt Auggie stiffen beside me.
“Such a thing would be devastating for Aldayne,” Astrid warned. “The Byrne family is notorious for their cutthroat business practices, including outsourcing labor to other countries entirely rather than giving the good people of Aldayne a living wage. Their wealth has always come at the expense of others, including diamond mines and South African vineyards using slave labor. They keep their wealth off-shore to avoid paying any taxes, as well as undercut our own Aldayneans who perform any work for them, with countless lawsuits against them for their dubious business practices.”
As if that wasn’t bad enough, which it was, she continued. “They also wish to shut down our borders in some effort to keep the Aldaynean people a purer bloodline. Where have we heard these things before?” she added.
I glanced at my parents, who recoiled at the news.
“Tomorrow night is the Duke of Mayhem’s final performance in what promises to be his last world tour. What message would you have for Prince Augustine?”
Astrid looked straight into the camera. “For the past fourteen years, you’ve enjoyed the freedom of self-governance. Isn’t it time your people got to enjoy theirs?”
We stole a glance at Auggie, whose jaw clenched.
Dad wisely turned off the television. “I think it’s time we get everyone to bed,” he announced. “Thank Auggie for such a beautiful day,” he instructed Dallas and Dash.
Dallas had a hug ready for Auggie, which he readily accepted. “It was a beautiful day,” she agreed.
“Next time we’ll find somewhere you can skate,” Auggie promised, which made her smile and blush as she made room for our little brother.
Dash bowed. “Your Grace,” he said.
“Sire,” Auggie repeated with a bow of his own and a smile on his face. Dash giggled and jumped up to hug his neck, which Auggie happily indulged.
“Can I come to your concert tomorrow night?” Dash asked.
Auggie looked to Mom and Dad, who merely shrugged. “It might be a little too loud for you,” he said.
“Please?” Dash begged. “It might be your last concert ever.”
Auggie looked at me. Finally, he turned to Dash. “I’ll see what I can do.”
“Thank you, Auggie!” Dash gushed as he hugged him tighter.
The minors retreated, leaving just the adults to chat.
“It really was a wonderful day, Auggie,” Mom said. “Thank you so much.”
“It was my absolute pleasure,” he told her. “I’ve wanted to share my world with the McPhees for a while.” He wrapped an arm around me. “As far as I’m concerned, you all were the only pieces missing to make it perfect.”
“Does that mean you’ll stay?” Mom asked softly.
Auggie again looked at me. “We haven’t decided.” He looked back at her. “What would you do?”
“Where are you most fulfilled?” she asked, stripping the question down to the root.
“With your daughter,” he said, without hesitation.
She smiled. “I like that answer, but it’s the safe one, isn’t it?”
Leave it to my mother to throw his own words back in his face. He sighed. “Touché.”
“Tell me what happens if you renounce the throne.”
He sat back. “The title of king would pass to the next one in line.”
“The Byrne family,” she answered. He nodded. “Would that be so bad?”
“Depends who you ask,” was his blunt reply. “The Byrnes have always had a different opinion how we should rule the country and how we should represent ourselves in the world. They base their decisions on money and profit, rather than servitude and justice. They would rather protect resources than share them. For those of us who have those resources, we would be both honored and protected.”
“And those without?”
“Would be at the mercy of those with,” he stated, every bit as blunt. “The cost of our way of life is high. We funnel our money to programs that empower a nation, not just the people in charge of it. An education at Girbridge is completely free to those who have the grades to be admitted there. Free healthcare, free education, excellent immigration policies that seek to welcome and embrace people from all over the world. You’re Americans, you know this doesn’t come cheap.”
“But it’s valuable,” Mom said. He nodded.
“An educated, healthy, diverse population means a higher quality of life. Cultured. More fulfilled. At least, that’s what the Quinns have always believed, which is why the Royals have always paid their taxes. We know our wealth is tied to the wealth of our nation.”
“The Byrnes, not so much?”
He shook his head. “They’re more competitive. They believe that people will work harder the less that