Nara crossed her legs, leaning back against the sofa. “Dexter is at the military compound with his soldiers. He’s assigning them various positions. Some will act as prominent merchants and landholders from throughout the county. Others will be on security detail. All visitors will be interspersed throughout the palace so we can maintain control at all times.”

“Excellent.” Reid examined the map, noting strategic locations where sentries would be placed in the palace. Some would be highly visible, while others would be hidden.

“Colbert is in the library going over your marriage contract,” Henrick said. “He’s making sure everything is in order. When your father arrives, he will look it over and sign it.”

“What sort of stipulations do you have in place?” Reid had never thought to ask before now.

“On my end, I want it clear what happens when your father dies and you take over Ellington. What is Dexter’s role going to be?”

An opportunity presented itself, so Reid decided to take it. “I’m certain my father isn’t aware that Dexter is not your legal heir. This changes things, does it not? After all, once you pass, Dexter will have nothing. I’m not sure it’s advantageous for me to marry Dexter.”

“That’s not necessarily true,” Henrick said.

Nara pursed her lips, and Reid suspected the princess was pleased with this line of questioning.

“Eldon is Dexter and Colbert’s half brother. Once I die, I’m sure they’ll find a way to work together.”

“You obviously don’t know your son that well,” Reid scoffed. “Eldon seeks power. Once he discovers he’s your heir, he will take over Axian. He won’t care about either of your sons. If anything, he’ll see them as a threat and have them eliminated. Oh, wait, he already tried to do that with the assassination attempt—the one Dexter and I managed to survive.”

“There’s no proof Eldon sent the assassins.”

Reid didn’t feel like arguing with Henrick. If he refused to see reason, truth, and what was right in front of him, it was his loss.

“As long as Eldon doesn’t see us as a threat, we’ll be fine,” Henrick added. “Once he realizes we want to remain here peaceably, he’ll understand. He’s my son, not Hudson’s. Eldon is good.”

Reid didn’t want to tell Henrick how very wrong he was. “Regardless, once my father learns Dexter is not your heir, I’m not sure he’ll go forward with the wedding contract.” Deciding she’d said enough, she stood and exited the room, her hands shaking.

As she headed down the hallway, she heard someone approaching from behind. She turned to see Princess Nara actually sprinting toward her.

“Lady Reid,” Nara said as she approached. “I want to talk to you privately.” She pulled Reid into the closest room, which happened to be filled with portraits.