“Assuming those financial gains are well managed,” Levi said. “Venezuela is a prime example of what happens when an unstable government has control over such great wealth.”

“The monarchy in Sereno has been in control since the 1600s. Every king from King Cesare in 1619 down to my father has ruled without any major revolts.”

“Every king,” Levi said.

“That’s right.”

“Every king,” Levi repeated. “Not every queen.”

“A queen has never ruled Sereno before,” Cassie said. The weight of that fact pressed in on her. “I’ll be the first.”

“That’s right. You’ll be the first.” Levi pushed out of his chair and crossed to the window. He turned back to face her. “What if this has nothing to do with economics and everything to do with who is in power?”

“You think someone has an issue with Sereno being ruled by a woman?”

“It’s possible.”

“I don’t buy it.” Cassie shook her head. “My youngest sister is eighteen. The citizens of Sereno have known for years that they would one day be ruled by a queen.”

“What about cousins or any other extended family who would be next in line to the throne if you and your sisters were no longer able to rule?”

Cassie folded her arms across her chest. “If my sisters and I are assassinated?”

“Yes.”

“Honestly, I’m not entirely sure. Rule would pass to another family, but my father lost touch with them before I was born.”

“Don’t you have any aunts, uncles, cousins?” Levi asked.

“My uncle Elliott, but he is my mother’s brother. He isn’t in line to rule. Neither are my cousins.”

“How is it possible that your family has been in power for four hundred years and there are only three people in line for the throne?”

“The smallpox epidemic at the end of the 1800s devastated much of Sereno. Thousands of our citizens died, including almost all of the royal family,” Cassie said. “Then in 1963, an earthquake hit in the Mediterranean. A massive mudslide wiped out an entire village. It was the same village where most of the royals resided.”

“Your family sure has had a tough time of it.”

“My grandfather especially. He was one of only three to survive the smallpox epidemic. When the mudslide occurred, only he, his wife, and his mother survived.”

“So we know you don’t have family members who can try to steal the crown from you and your sisters,” Levi said. “Tell me about your uncle.”

“Uncle Elliott serves on my father’s advisory committee.”

“What is his area of expertise?” Levi asked.

“He’s my father’s chief legal adviser and advises on foreign policy, specifically with North America.”

Levi’s eyes sharpened. “Does he have ties to North America?”

“He earned his MBA from Princeton, and he’s the only member of the royal family who has lived in the United States, besides Crispan.”

“Who’s Crispan?”

“He’s Elliott’s oldest son. He also attended Princeton. After graduation, he went to work in Houston.”

“Doing what?”

“He’s a private consultant, working in the oil industry.”