He Chose Another Heir, Now He Wants Me Back novel · Chapter 18 of 24
Chapter 18: The Vote
Livia sat on the edge of her bed in yesterday's cardigan with her hands folded.
The two guards stayed in the doorway.
"Send them out," she said.
"No."
"Then I will say it in front of them." She lifted her eyes, and they were dry and swollen. "I will tell the whole hall in three days. All of it, the page and the letters and the key. I will tell them what I never told Alessio."
"Why would you do that?"
"Because Mama is alive," Livia said. "I did not know I wanted her to be until I saw the needle."
I did not answer.
"I want one thing for it. Nico stays with you."
"Nico is not a trade."
"Then I am asking." Her voice broke. "Not as your sister. As his mother. Ruggero will take him the day I fall. Promise he will never be put out of this house."
I thought of a small hand in mine, and a cord, and a ring.
"I promise Nico will never be put out," I said. "I promise nothing for you."
She nodded as if I had given her a gift.
"Let me speak last," she said. "They have to hear you first."
Three days later I walked into the old hall with Alessio's iron ring on my thumb.
He walked beside me on a cane.
The surgeon had said two weeks in bed, and Alessio had said he would be carried in on a plank if he must.
His shirt hid the bandage, and his face was grey.
He did not lean on me, and I did not offer my arm.
We both knew he would have fallen.
The benches were packed.
Ruggero stood at the center table in his charcoal coat, with the green registry book under his hand and his cane hooked on the edge.
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