Kingdom of Betrayal

"You cannot just give royal gold to anyone!" Lincoln all but yells as he paces the room

I frown "I did not give it to anyone, I gave it to another kingdom in exchange for livestock which my kingdom needs"

He barks out a laugh "Your kingdom? This kingdom belongs to the Visconti clan and last I checked you didn't have any Visconti blood running through your veins!"

I scowl but Simon says "Alright, let's calm down. Lincoln, take your seat please"

"No!" He slams his hand on the table and I startle, Hayden takes a step forward but I hold my hand up. Lincoln says "I will not stand here and watch as you damage the kingdom of my family"

I can't help but scoff "I have done no such thing. The people came to me for a solution to their problems and that's what I did"

"Without talking to us first" Noah points out

"I requested your presence but not one of you showed up." I glance at Simon "I expected more from you knowing you were my husband's right hand man"

Simon has the decency to look down at the table, Elliot says "Perhaps you should let Lincoln sit the throne, Your Grace"

"And why would I do that?"

Elliot opens his mouth but Lincoln cuts him off "Because it's my duty to my family. Need I remind everyone that I am still the prince?"

"Romero has an heir and he will sit the throne when he's of age. We've already discussed this, gentlemen"

Lincoln smirks "What if I were to say your son is not Romero's first born son"

I tense glance at Hayden, who's frowning then at the other men who look shocked.

So they didn't know.

"What are you talking about?" I ask, trying to keep my voice calm and not shaky

"Well, your dear husband impregnated a maid a few years back. The boy is thirteen years of age, making him the first born son"

I knew Romero had a son, it was stated in his diary. I don't know how Lincoln found out though and judging by his smug look, he knew for a while.

I clear my throat "I know I do not need to give you lessons on tradition but I will, if need be." I stand up "That boy was made out of wedlock. He does not have any right to the throne"

Simon nods "The queen is right, he's a bastard child"

Lincoln scoffs "Bastard or not, he has Visconti blood running through his veins"

"So does Junior"

He glares "Well Tyler is older than your son, so I will be sitting the throne until Tyler becomes of age. And. That's. Final."

My mouth falls open in shock and I glance at the other men who look satisfied.

"Over my dead body."