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Marco desperately wanted to tell Eht tirandfather first of his intentions Once he had done that, then he could tell Emily how h there were a knife twisting inside it But even if she didn't love him he still intended to be a full-time father to his son

‘I’ll be back in time for the appointment with the cardiac specialist’

Es swa she had done, or not done, that had caused his heart defect? she had asked the obstetrician

‘No Mr Bryant-Jones had told her sometimes the condition ran in fa any reason

‘What do you er wish to succeed to the throne?'

‘Imy claim to the Crown I intend to make a formal speech to that effect, but I wanted you to be the first to know'

Marco told his grandfather calmly

‘You are giving up the throne of Niroli for the sake of a woman and her child’

Marco could hear the disbelief in his grandfather's voice

‘My wo up the throne for them For them, and for our people’

'What do you mean by that?’

‘It would never have worked Grandfather I could never step into your shoes Marco saw that the old ratified

‘For ’ he finished firue since I first arrived You block every attempt I make to make reforms—‘

‘Because they are not right for our people’