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“If they ask the palace for an official statement on your relationship status,” Markus clarified. “They’ve already done so with Princess Mari, and we’ve issued a statement about her official relationship with Prince Erik. If they ask, are you prepared to lie, or would you like us tomassagethe truth?”
“I don’t want to lie anymore, Markus,” Elin said on a sigh.
“Ma’am, I can take care of it for you,” he replied. “We can spin things for as long as you need.”
“So, do I tell Norway that I’m gay before or after the ceremony?” she asked.
“I believeafteris the best course of action, Ma’am. The focus should be on your ascension, the stability of the monarchy, and the family. Having Prince Erik there will help since people will see the likelihood of the line continuing with Princess Mari and Prince Erik.”
“I thought you were against that,” she said, lifting an eyebrow at him.
“No, Ma’am.” Markus laughed a little. “But lines of succession are tricky when there are multiple countries involved. I just wanted to make sure NorwayandPrincess Mari and her future children, should she have any, were protected.”
“I want that, too,” Elin said. “Can you work on a statement for me to give following the ceremony? I’ll review it, make changes, and sign off on it. We can issue the printed statement after I speak to the country. I don’t want it just out there; I’d like to record something and then post it on the official site and send it to media outlets.”
“Of course, Ma’am,” he said, nodding.
“You don’t need to speak to my father to get his permission for all of this?” she teased him.
“No, Your Majesty,” Markus replied seriously. “And, Ma’am, if I may – I owe you an apology. I’m afraid I was unprepared for the situation I found myself in, and I acted inappropriately.”
“I don’t think any of us were prepared for the situation we found ourselves in,” Elin replied. “Despite Christian’s comments over the years, I honestly thought he’d be sitting here one day instead of me. And I never actually believed my father would retire. Here we are.” She shrugged a shoulder.
“Yes, Ma’am,” he said. “And I hope you know that you can trust me. I am here to serve the sovereign and the interests of the monarchy.”
“I believe you.”
“And I should also mention that I’ve watched you grow up, Ma’am.” Markus smiled softly at her. “If I had been given a choice between which of you to serve and who I wanted as the monarch of this country after your father, I would have chosen you.”
“You have to say that,” she said, laughing a little.
“No, Ma’am, Idon’t,” Markus replied sincerely.
Elin dismissed Markus after they wrapped up their discussion about the ceremony, as well as her speech and statement, and she felt better about having him as her private secretary. She also felt worse about the fact that Ingrid wouldn’t be at the consecration. She’d pictured the woman there ever since they’d discussed their first date: Ingrid would sit at the end of the family row next to Mari, and in the future, she’d sit at Elin’s side in every way. She wanted that so much for them… But if Ingrid wasn’t ready for that, Elin wouldn’t risk their relationship by pushing her. She’d waited three years; she could wait a little longer before she’d get to call Ingrid Olson her official girlfriend.
CHAPTER 39
“Markus?” Ingrid asked when she opened her front door.
She’d been expecting Elin, but not for another fifteen minutes. Elin had been in meetings all day, and Ingrid didn’t think it was likely that she’d be early or that, if she were, she’d have Markus knock on the doorforher.
“Hello, Ingrid,” he greeted.
“Is Elin… I mean, is–”
“Her Majesty is on her way. I left before she did,” he interrupted her.
“Oh. Why? What are you doing here?”
“May I come in?” he asked. “I promise, I’ll be gone by the time she gets here.”
“Is something wrong?” Ingrid asked, moving out of his way so that he could enter her apartment. “Is she okay?”
“She doesn’t know I’m here. And I’d prefer we keep it that way, if that’s all right with you,” he replied, standing in her living room as she closed the door. “Are we alone?”
“Yes, my sister is at work. Markus, you’re scaring me.”
“I’m holding your seat at the consecration in direct opposition to Her Majesty’s wishes,” he stated.
