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We’d arrived back home only early this morning, due to a storm last night, which I was grateful for seeing as how bad Odette’s morning sickness was. I was worried about how she was handling things this morning. We rushed from the airport to the palace, changed, and came right out to make sure we weren’t late for the salute.
“Air Force!” the captain hollered before his voice was drowned out by the fighter jets that flew above us, in their tail, the colors of the flag: black, white, gold, and red.
That was my signal.
Lifting my hand, I held it to my forehead for thirty seconds before I spoke out against the wind. “I thank you! I swear to always live up to this honor! And I welcome you to join me today in the palace.”
“No! The honors are ours!” they called back.
Grabbing the reins, I led Ladislas back toward the second gate, the guards and army marching behind me; meanwhile, dozens of cameras flashed before me. The image tomorrow was meant to be me and my army as if I were reconquering the palace on horseback. But it seemed…I’d rather be off the horse, leading alongside them.
Either way, I did as I was meant to.
I did not stop my march until I reached the palace doors, where I saw Odette dressed in a wool-blend double-breasted white military-inspired coat with buttons made of gold and a collar made of fur. Upon seeing me, she curtsied. Hopping off the horse, I walked up the steps and offered her my hand; it was only then that she rose. I wanted to smile when she looked up at me, but I wasn’t done with the performance yet. So I winked before turning around and facing the army of men behind me, my horse being led away.
“As my husband and king welcome, I as queen also welcome you. It is my honor,” Odette called out to them.
“No! The honors are ours!” they called back.
We stepped to the side, and one by one, taking off their hats as they did, they came into the palace.
“Your Majesties.” They each bowed as they entered.
We nodded and smiled.
This was more of a celebration of them than me, but I understood why it had to be like that. Our goal, our duty was to preserve the monarchy. It would look elitist for the king to lavish through a party for himself and other aristocrats. It would look too showy if I were out, doing some charity event. This was the solution of my ancestors. The monarch would invite those who chose to serve the kingdom, the military. The queen would then invite as many normal members of the public as her guests. And then we’d treat them to a party.
Happy birthday to me, I thought. Though seeing an older man, at least in his eighties, dressed in his old uniform, bow his head to us did make it feel special.
In the corner of my eye, I noticed Odette roll her shoulders back and swallow hard. I knew that face…she’d made it over and over again for the last several hours…she was about to be sick.
I squeezed her hand, wondering if she could make it.
She squeezed back hard…she could not. Luckily the last of the line came in, and the doors closed. As everyone else was ushered into the ballroom, I led Odette as quickly as I could without running into one of the entrance-level drawing rooms.
The moment we entered, she kicked off her heels and ran as fast as she could!
“Ma’am!” Gelula ran after her, Wolfgang right behind her, when she screamed, “Her heels!”
He spun around so fast he slipped but got himself up quickly, making a mad dash beside me to grab them.
“Sir!” He nodded to me before he spun back around and went off with them. “I got them!” he yelled.
I really tried my best not to laugh, but…it was a sight. I was pretty sure we were keeping this secret pretty poorly. If the palace didn’t figure it out today, they would figure it out before the week was up for sure.
Should I go, too?
Knock.
“Enter.” I turned around to see Balduin come in dressed in a very dapper three-piece suit, with a few family medals on the breast.
“Yes? Nice suit, by the way. I don’t think I noticed this morning.”
“Thank you, sir.” He grinned, adjusting his jacket, before remembering why he came. “They are ready for you. Where is Her Majesty?”
“She’ll be back momentarily.” Hopefully. “How is everything so far?”
“Perfect, sir. Almost all the news is about your triumph in France, which is being hailed as a complete diplomatic success. Also, today so far, almost everyone is impressed with your performance. The live coverage was excellent.”
