A STUNNED TANNER

  “Uh, what?” Tanner whispers his question.

  Bree gives Tanner a gentle smile. “I would like to adopt you into the Alexander House, my house, as a ward. As Contigos, my children can not inherit the Alexander fortune. Since I have no living relatives with the Alexander name, making you my heir will not upset my family. Considering that you will soon be a legal adult, I would like to propose the idea of adopting you. What do you think? I know it is sudden. Think about it, please. Ask any questions you have. Nothing is off limits. Spend a moment considering questions.”

  Harold speaks up, “You will not have the Contigo name. We will change your name to Tanner Wilson-Alexander. I will introduce you as part of Bree’s extended family. You will be our ward, you will be granted House Contigo’s status, but not as an adopted son. You will be an Alexander. I will have the legal status of one of your guardians, while Bree will have the legal status of your other guardian. This meets Imperial law requiring two guardians and means that you will be family. You will become part of the Alexander line. You are part of the Imperial family, but not of the Imperial line. Your title will be Prince of the Alexander House. You may find yourself involved in politics. Hopefully, that clarifies a few things. Please, we welcome questions, no matter how lame or stupid you think they may be. All questions are valid. If you do not know, please ask us.”

  Tanner looks at the Imperial couple. “Why me? Why the Alexander name? What do you mean? I have no idea how to deal with politics. I’m not sure what that would even mean.” Tanner’s voice trails off.

  Bree speaks in a still soft tone, “Tanner, you have shown extraordinary promise in your brief life. I have looked into your future you have a chance to influence some events for the better. Most are minor but far reaching. Also you have the moral compass I have spent my whole time as a Mother attempting to instill into my children.” She smiles at Claire and Richard. “I have four children. My first-born son will be Emperor after Harold steps down. My second born daughter is an accomplished delver. She has also learned to rule after Harold if needed. They have both made Harold and I very proud. I feel that I have succeeded with them. Claire shows promise. Richard is still a work in progress.” She laughs at the look of mock outrage on her two children’s faces. She murmurs, “My children with the Contigo name cannot inherit any of my family's titles, land, or fortune. Tanner, I feel you have a lot to offer. With the Contigo name, you would become an actual family member and considered a brother to all of my other children. You would become the center of attention in imperial politics. My premonition was that the Contigo name would not suit you. With the Alexander name. However, you will thrive. You will still have to do deal with a certain amount of political nonsense, Ha. I said it.” She smiles at her husband.

  “No arguments from me, although I would have use the word bullshit.” He snickers. He looks over at Tanner and gives him a mocking, stern look. “You never heard this from us.”

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  Tanner smiles back. “Sir, yes Sir.” he replies.

  “Without the Contigo name, most potential plots are avoided. You’ll be part of the Imperial family, situated just outside of it, like a distant relation. You are a prince, but not an Imperial Prince. Your Imperial title will be baron. With the Alexander name, as Bree’s family. Most pitfalls are avoided, but not all. Being a distant part of the Imperial Family will be your role. This will not grant you an official Imperial Family rank. You will be an Imperial Lord. You will be an Imperial citizen. If you want a higher Imperial rank later in life, I know people,” he says with a wink. “Questions?”

  “Why can’t say Claire inherit? Seems like a more logical choice. Than me, I’m flattered but I don’t understand.”

  “I have already stated my personal reasons. I will be honest there are political reasons along with my personal reasons. There are laws that limit Imperial influence. Before my father’s death, he elevated the family fortunes over the cutoff. I had to turn over control to the Imperial council. This gives them a tether of control, enabling them to limit my actions to a certain extent. By adopting you as an Alexander and allowing you to inherit the family fortune along with the lands and the title, I can pass on the legacy to someone of my choosing. This removes the hold over me politically, and the council cannot squander my family's hard work. Once you reach your majority, the legacy is no longer under the Imperial council’s control. I will pass everything to you. You will have full control over the Alexander legacy.”

  Tanner looks over at Claire and Richard. “What do you two think about this? I don’t want to make you upset.”

  Richard says to Tanner with a grin. “I have no problem with you being a sort of big brother to me, and I already knew I could not inherit mother’s legacy.”

  Claire looks at her mother. “As children of the Emperor we are all aware of the issues involving mother’s inheritance, so you will not get any push back from me or my siblings. I am not sure what to say here. No problem with him in the family, but will he be a brother? Will he fall under the anti-influence laws?” She blushes. Tanner looks puzzled and a little hurt.

  Bree gives her daughter a knowing smile and explains, “He would be a ward of the extended family, not a brother, and since he is not of any of the Grand Duke’s lineage he will not fall under the anti-influence laws. Guarantees would be needed to keep assets separate.”

  “Oh, then I’m okay with it as well.” She smiles. Penelope snickers.

  “Is this more of that vision you were telling me about?” Harold asks.

  “Do not worry about it, dear”

  Tanner thinks for a few minutes more. “Okay, I agree. What happens next?”

  “Paper work then, we prepare to reach the district capital on time for the ceremony. At midnight the on day summer ends you will inherit everything. Tanner one thing I want to stress, you will be the one in control as the Alexander head. Not me. Not Harold. And not the council. I can give advice, like hire qualified staff to take care of things while you are learning or make decisions for you while you are away.”

  Rhys pretends to awaken from a nap and announces. “We can take the air coach, fly straight there.”

  “That’s an idea, Rhys, you’re driving.” Bree laughs.

  “Damn it.” Rhys exclaims.

  Harold, laughing at his friend, says, “This works to my advantage, I can catch up on work for a few days and the air coach will shorten the trip. Quick thinking driver.”