" If you’re rebelling, then you must have someone in mind for the throne. Who?”
Bran pointed across the table at Shevraeth. “He seems to want to do it, and I have to say, he’d be better at it than I.”
“No, he wouldn’t,” I said without thinking.
Bran winced and rubbed his chin. “Mel…”
“Please, my dear Lord Branaric,” the Prince murmured. “Permit the lady to speak. I am interested to hear her thoughts on the matter.”
Rude as I’d been before, my response had shocked even me, and I hadn’t intended to say anything more. Now I sneaked a peek at the Marquis, who just sat with his goblet in his fingers, his expression one of mild questioning.
I sighed, short and sharp. “You’d be the best because you aren’t Court trained,” I said to Bran. It was easier than facing those other two. “Court ruined, I’d say. You don’t lie--you don’t even know how to lie in social situations like this. I think it’s time the kingdom’s leader is known for honesty and integrity, not for how well he gambles or how many new fashions he’s started. Otherwise we’ll just be swapping one type of bad king for another.”
Bran drummed his fingers on the table, frowning. “But I don’t want to do it. Not alone, anyway. If you are with me--“
“I’m not going to Remalna-city,” I said quickly.
All three of them looked at me--I could feel it, though I kept my own gaze on my brother’s face. His eyes widened. I said, “You’re the one who always wanted to go there. I’ve been. Once. It’s not an experience I’d care to repeat. You’d be fine on your own,” I finished weakly, knowing that he wouldn’t--that I’d just managed, through my own anger, to ruin his chances.
“Mel, I don’t know what to say. Where t’start, burn it!” Bran ran his fingers through his hair, snarling it up--a sure sign he was upset. “Usually it’s you with the quick mind, but this time I think you’re dead wrong.”
“On the contrary,” the Prince said, with a glance at his son. “She makes cogent points. And there will be others aside from the loyalists in Tlanth who will, no doubt, share a similar lack of partisanship.”
“Your point is taken, Father,” Shevraeth said. “It is an issue that I will have to address.”
Sensing that there was more meaning to their words than was immediately obvious, I looked from one to the other for clues, but of course there were none that I could descry. "

― Sherwood Smith , Crown Duel (Crown & Court, #1)