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“I had trouble believing it as well,” said Luther. “After father’s funeral, I found Mrs. Zannis again. She has also been married for several years now--and quite happily, it would seem. But indeed, she confirmed the truth of Father’s confession.”

David could only listen.

“Before he died, I asked him why he did it. He said that, at the time, he believed I was too valuable to the family, that Gabriel would need my help to rule.” Luther’s expression darkened. “I did not like that answer. But of course, by then, it was far too late for me to seek any kind of meaningful retribution against him.”

“And you’ve kept this secret for over three years now?”

“I have.”

“Then why are you telling me now?”

“Because I want you to understand me when I say that I do not side with Gabriel. And, I suspect, neither do you.”

And there it was. Said plainly at last. David took a breath, considering how to respond. He was prepared to give ground now, but a question lingered. “Am I then to assume that you want Helen back on the throne?”

“No,” said Luther. “Returning Helen to power would be a step backward. I was the one who orchestrated Gabriel’s little coup, after all.”

David blinked. “What?”

“I do not want to overthrow the Crown. I want to destroy the Crown.”

David stared at him hard. Those were not the words he’d wanted to hear.

“This antiquated form of governance is barbaric and has no place in today’s world. A single person should never possess the power to ruin an entire people.”

“So, what? You wish to spread democracy, then?”

“I suppose not,” said Luther, shaking his head. “While I do believe those flowery words to some extent, the visceral truth is that I simply despise our kind.”

He cocked an eyebrow. “Our kind?”

“Royalty.”

David clenched his jaw. Suddenly, he could feel this conversation spiraling out of his control, off in some direction for which he was unprepared.