“I offered to stay and help this morning.” I stood up straight and glared at Arthur. “Nothing inappropriate happened.”

The old man grunted. “Play the game all you want.”

“Can you manage to stay sober for a few hours?” Meredith’s mouth turned down. “It’s your job to host the visitors.”

“And again I say, I didn’t invite them.”

“It’s customary in Lilaria for people to stop by the deceased’s home and offer their respects.” I said the words as calmly as possible. “When a person of title passes away, the royal family always comes to pay their respects.”

“Please.” Meredith said the word quietly. “If we can just get through the next couple of days, everything will be fine.”

“Leave me be, Meredith.” Her father’s eyes narrowed. “I have to bury my father tomorrow and if I need a little drink to get through it, so be it.”

She froze in place, her eyes the only indication of her anger. “Do what you want, just be sober enough to help carry the casket in the morning.”

“Who the hell decided to do the funeral in the morning?” He tipped his drink back. “Why wasn’t I consulted?”

“You were passed out in your room. As the next of kin, I had to make the decisions alone.” Meredith dropped her hands to her sides. “The royal advisor suggested holding the funeral early so that the township could have a day of mourning.”

“Royal advisor.” He chuckled. “The queen sent someone to take over, huh?”

“Her Majesty sent someone to help you during a difficult and confusing time.” I said the words calmly, aware that the tension in the room had continued to mount despite the cool words.

“Well, where are they?” He looked around the room. “What are they doing to make sure everything goes smoothly?”

“She will be here this afternoon.” Meredith’s shoulders tensed. “Did you know that Granddad left a will?”

“What?” Arthur froze, his glass halfway to his mouth. “The old man made a will?”

“He entrusted it to the crown.” Meredith’s knuckles whitened from how hard she clenched her fists. “There will be a reading the day after the funeral.”

“How did you know?” Arthur slammed his glass down on the table. Amber liquid splashed over the edge and ran down the leg.

“The assistant that the queen sent told me.” She shook her head. “I didn’t know anything about it.”

“Everything passes to me.” He said the words like there was no question. “I’m the Duke of Thysmer now.”

“Then you should act like it.” I raised an eyebrow. “Stop leaving your daughter to shoulder everything by herself.”

“Max.” Meredith widened her eyes.

“Get out of my house.” Arthur raised his hand and pointed at me. “Get the hell out. And don’t come back.”

“The house isn’t yours until the will is read.” I kept my voice calm. “And don’t think for one minute that the crown can’t take away what has been given.”

“The hell it isn’t my home. I’m the duke.”

“I’m more than happy to leave, but not while you are drinking. It is my responsibility to make sure that your family and staff are safe from abuse.”

“I don’t plan on stopping any time soon. You may be a prince, but you don’t dictate what I do to my liver.” As if to demonstrate, he picked up his glass and downed the rest of the contents.

“Then I will dismiss your staff and find suitable arrangements for your daughter and grandson.” I could feel Meredith’s glare, but I didn’t look her way. I never used my title, never forced anyone to do anything. I never expected anyone to treat me differently, but I’d be damned if I was going to let this man hurt anyone else.

“You can’t dismiss my staff.” He shook his head.

“Your father took an oath that gave me that power.” I stepped forward. “It is my job to see to the safety of my citizens, and if that means taking measures to remove them from a duke’s bad decisions, then that is what I will do.”

“Then go. I don’t need them.” He laughed. “I can take care of myself just fine. Been doing it my whole life.”

“Meredith, please go pack some things for you and Marty.” I turned and looked at her. The anger in her eyes was intimidating, but she didn’t say a word, just turned and stalked out of the room.

“I will be letting the queen know that I’ve dismissed your staff and take care of their pay while things are handled.” I started to turn, but paused. “If you show up for the funeral inebriated, I will make sure that you regret it. That is an order from the crown.”

I walked out of the room and was roughly yanked by small hands to a dark corner.

“What the hell are you doing?” Meredith hissed. “Having a pissing contest with my father! Why? What good is this going to accomplish?”

“I can’t leave you here with him.” Wasn’t that obvious?

“The hell you can’t. I thought you were going to help, not make things worse!”

Her words felt like a slap. “Of course I’m trying to help.”

“Jesus. If the staff is gone, if I’m gone, then there will be no one here to make sure he doesn’t do something terrible.” She ran a hand through her hair.