The Selection

Chapter 58

 This story/plot belongs to Kiera Cass

𒊹︎︎︎ᴥ︎︎︎𒊹︎︎︎

Jungkook and I looked At each other, then back to the rebels.

"You heard me right. I'm an Illéa. And by birth, too. This one will be by marriage sooner or later," August said, nodding to the girl.

"Georgia Whitaker," she said. "And of course, we know all about you, Y/n."

She gave me another smile, and I returned it. I wasn't sure I trusted her, but I certainly didn't hate her.

"So Father was right." Jungkook sighed. I looked over to him, confused. Jungkook knew there were direct descendants of Gregory Illéa walking around? "He said you'd come for the crown one day."

"I don't want your crown," August assured us.

"Good, because I intend to lead this country," Jungkook shot back. "I've been raised for it, and if you think you can come in here claiming to be Gregory's great-great-grandson—"

"I don't want your crown, Jungkook! Destroying the monarchy is more up the Southern rebels' alley. We have other goals." August sat at the table, leaning back in his seat. Then as if it was his home we'd stepped into, he swept his arm across the chairs, inviting us to sit.

Jungkook and I eyed each other again and joined him, Georgia following quickly. August looked at us awhile, either studying us or trying to decide where to start.

Jungkook, perhaps reminding us who was in charge, broke the tension. "Would you like some tea or coffee?"

Georgia lit up. "Coffee?"

In spite of himself, Jungkook smiled at her enthusiasm and turned behind him to get a guard's attention. "Could you have one of the maids bring some coffee, please? For goodness' sake, make sure it's strong." Then he focused again on August.

"I can't begin to imagine what you want from me. It seems you made a point to come while the palace was asleep, and I'm guessing you'd like to keep this visit as secretive as possible. Say what you must. I can't promise to give you what you want, but I will listen."

August nodded and leaned forward. "We've been looking for Gregory's diaries for decades. We knew they existed long ago and had a recent confirmation from a source I cannot reveal." August looked at me. "It wasn't your presentation on the Report that gave it away, just so you know."

I sighed in relief. The second he mentioned the diaries, I began silently cursing myself and bracing for later when Jungkook would add this to the list of stupid things I'd done.

"We have never desired to take down the monarchy," he said to Jungkook. "Even though it came about in a very corrupt way, we have no problem with having a sovereign leader, particularly if that leader is you."

Jungkook was still, but I could sense his pride. "Thank you."

"What we would like are other things, specific freedoms. We want nominated officials, and we want to end the castes." August said all this as if it was easy. If he'd seen my presentation get cut off on the Report, he ought to know better.

"You act like I'm already the king," Jungkook answered in frustration. "Even if it was possible, I can't simply give you what you're asking for."

"But you're open to the idea?"

Jungkook raised his hands and dropped them to the table. "What I'm open to is irrelevant at the moment. I am not king."

August sighed, looking over to Georgia. They seemed to communicate wordlessly, and I was impressed at their easy intimacy. Here they were, in a very tense situation—one they'd entered maybe suspecting they wouldn't be able to get out of—and their feelings for each other were so close to the surface.