"What are you saying, Leon? You are not in a position to make this decision!" The Dowager Queen's voice cracked as she shrieked. Her pale hand shot out to grip the edge of the table like she needed it to stay upright.
Leon didn't even flinch. He lifted his chin, almost daring her to try to talk him down. "No. I'm exactly in that position," he said calmly. "Only a king can abdicate. If I wasn't the king, that word wouldn't even matter."
"Leon!" she barked again, louder this time, like she thought volume would change his mind.
He sighed, loud and dramatic on purpose. If she was going to treat him like a spoiled child, he might as well lean into it. So he did. He crossed his arms and lifted an eyebrow. "I'm serious. I don't want this anymore. And you can't force me."
"You have no idea what you're throwing away!" she snapped. "Do you think power just falls into your lap again if you regret this later? Do you think—"
"Mother."
