Read Jacinda's Challenge (Imperial 3) for Free Online Page B

many tests, many that will try to pressure you, to get you to think the way they do. Life isn’t always black and white, Danton. What benefits one may often harm another and it will be up to you to decide whose needs are more important. It can be a daunting task, especially when others try to influence you and I don’t just mean the other Assemblymen. The King will also try to influence you. Just remember that it is your decision to make and you are the one that must live with it.”
    “The King?” Danton didn’t try to cover his shock. “Mother, you and father always supported King Jotham.”
    “We supported his reign, Danton, for King Jotham has always been a good and fair King, but we didn’t just blindly support him.” Jacinda thought about what he’d asked her several days earlier. “He is after all just a man and like all men he makes mistakes.”
    “I have never heard you speak like this, Mother.”
    “Perhaps because I never have, at least not to you. If your father were still alive, he would tell you this, but since he isn’t it falls to me.” Jacinda watched the deep frown that took over her son’s face. “Do not worry so, Danton. You will find your way. You always have. Just know that there is no one within the House of Protection that you must bow down to, and I don’t mean that you shouldn’t be respectful. I just mean that you are all the same: Citizen, Assemblyman, or King. Your basic wants and needs are the same as anyone else’s and no one person should take precedent over another’s just because of their position within the House.”
    “Of course not, but still…”
    “Danton,” Jacinda walked up to her son gently framing his face with her hands. “Do you believe that the man or woman that prepares your food, that serves it to you, deserves less respect than you do now that you are an Assemblyman?”
    “Of course not!”
    “Do you believe that your rights are more important than theirs?”
    “No.”
    “Why?”
    “Because we are the same.”
    “Yes, you are. Just as King Jotham and every Assemblyman, you will meet are the same. They are no better and no worse than the rest of us. Yes,” she saw him open his mouth and knew what he was about to say, “King Jotham deserves your respect because he carries a heavy burden, but he is still just a man.”
     
    ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞
     
    Jacinda was smiling as she left her son to finish settling into his office. It had been a good day. She hadn’t been sure how she’d feel returning to this place. The last time she’d been here it had been to clean out Stephan’s office. It had been a heart-wrenching day, filled with so many tears. Her children had wanted to help and in the end, she had let them carry out the boxes. However, the actual packing she had done alone. She’d needed to be alone with her memories and not have to worry how it was affecting her children.
    There had been no tears today, at least not externally. She might have shed a few internally, but that was from seeing her first born sitting so straight and proud behind that desk, looking so much like his father. However, life went on and it was now Danton’s turn to leave his mark.
    Turning the corner, Jacinda cried out startled as she ran into someone and started to fall back. Strong hands gripped her upper arms preventing her fall.
     
    ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞
     
    Barek moved quickly through the corridors of the Assembly Hall, hoping his swift pace would deter anyone from trying to stop him. He had a great many things to accomplish before he could return to the Bering and he wanted to get back there as soon as he could. He knew Gad was still holding out on them. His father showing up at Victoria’s Union had proven that. What he wouldn’t give to go a round with Rogue Stannic, but as Stannic was an Assemblyman from the House of Knowledge, Cassandra was handling him. Barek would just have to satisfy himself with his son, and as Gad was part of the Coalition, Barek would