The Crown of Gilded Bones (Blood and..

the gods know what kind of punishment to ease their
passing. That is just one example of your compassion, and
that is something any ruler needs. When you went up on the
Rise during the Craven attack? When you fought at Spessa’s
End, willing to take the same risks as those who’d taken an
oath to protect the people? Those are only two examples
that prove you have the courage and the willingness to do
what you would ask of your people. That is something a
King and a Queen should be willing to do. You have more
experience than you realize. You proved that in the hunting
cabin when you spoke of power and influence. You paid
attention when you wore the veil. More than any of the
Royals ever noticed.”
He was right about that. I had watched and listened
without being seen. From that, I had learned what not to do
when in a leadership position, starting with the simplest of
things.
Do not lie to your people.
Or kill them.
But the bar wasn’t set very high in Solis. Atlantia was
entirely different.
“And the fact that you are willing to give people who
might’ve been involved in a plot to harm you a second
chance proves you are far more suited to rule than I am.”
I frowned, lifting my head. Our gazes met. “You would
make a wonderful King, Cas. I’ve seen you with people. It’s
evident that they love you as much as you love them.”
His eyes warmed. “But I am not nearly as generous,
compassionate, or as forgiving as you—all qualities that can
bring down a Crown if they’re absent,” he told me, pausing
to brush a wisp of hair back from my face. “If we were to do
this, I would need to learn some things—areas I would need
your help with. But the fact that you are afraid of failing
speaks volumes, Poppy. It should scare you. Hell, it terrifies
me.”
“It does?”