Was Faru Barros right for the role of Truman?
With Annan's eyes fixed on Katelina, her brilliance had almost eclipsed the King of the North.
But once Katelina was out of the picture, Annan realized Faru Barros was an excellent choice too—perhaps even better suited to playing Truman.
Their circumstances were similar: Truman didn't know he'd been living in a reality show all along, while Faru Barros knew he was nothing more than a clown.
Their lives were similar too: Truman had spent the first half of his life acting without realizing it, while Faru Barros had spent his deliberately playing a mascot.
Even their ages were close. Faru Barros was a little overweight, but that wasn't a problem.
The more Annan looked at Faru Barros, the more he liked the idea. Why let an outsider have the opportunity when he could nurture a star from Free City?
Besides, the councilors from the Southern Kingdoms had been so rude that Annan wanted to put Faru Barros forward just to prove a point!
"Me?"
Faru Barros waved his hands. "I can't..."
"Believe in yourself. You taught Katelina. Why can't you play Truman?"
But no matter what Annan said, Faru Barros refused.
The habit of pleasing others had been carved into the King of the North's soul.
Annan needed a way to help Faru Barros stand tall.
There were many ways to build confidence: give someone wealth and power they had never possessed, push them with pressure, or let them build it through a string of successes.
Faru Barros was more complicated. His timidity came from having his confidence shattered. And because he dealt with princes and ministers, sudden wealth and power would do little for him. Forcing him, meanwhile, might produce a Truman with the right appearance but no soul.
So