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“Yes, to me.”
“No, to thecrown,” Christian argued. “To what it represents. And yes, to the person who holds it, but more to the institution. If you retire, Elin will be the crown.”
“Well, heisretiring. That decision has been made already,” their mother said. “Elin, there has never been a Queen by birth in independent Norway.”
“I know,” Elin said.
“And you’re prepared to be the first?”
She thought about how she’d be the first in more ways than one and decided that would have to be addressed at another time because it was too much for their parents right now.
“I am,” she replied.
“Hans, our son has made up his mind. I don’t know that we can change it,” their mother said.
“I’m aware,” their father replied, clearly seething beneath the surface. “I will have my secretary draft the statement that will go out regarding you being removed from the line of succession so that you may pursue your military career. You will sign off on whatever we write without question.”
“Okay,” Christian agreed, likely feeling as if that was the best he was going to get out of this situation.
“I’ll talk to Prime Minister about the rest,” their father added. “Say nothing to anyone about this, you two; not until we’ve had a chance to talk.”
“Not even Lillian or Mari?” Christian asked.
“Not even to your sisters,” he replied. “I have to wrap my head around how to present this to the country, and we’ll get your sisters on board then.”
“It’s time for your medication,” their mother reminded him.
“You may go,” he said dismissively to his children.
The doors were opened for them, and they made their way down the hall until they were sure they were alone. Then, they both stopped without telling the other that was what they’d planned to do.
“I still always feel like a kid when he does that,” Christian said. “You may go,” he imitated their father’s deep baritone.
“Me too,” Elin said, smiling.
“Well, you used to be Her Royal Highness, Princess of Norway. Then, you were made Princess Royal. Now, you’re about to be Her Majesty, Queen Elin of Norway. How does it feel?”
Elin just lifted an eyebrow at him, unsure of how to answer that question.
CHAPTER 2
“Dad literally told you not to say anything. How can we expect you to keep state secrets if you run off and tell me something you swore not to, like, ten minutes later?” Lillian asked.
“It’s been two days, not ten minutes. You’re exaggerating,” Elin replied.
Her sister was twenty-seven years old and looked more like their mother than Elin, who took after her father in her facial features. Where Elin and Christian had their father’s fair complexion, light-blonde hair and blue eyes, Lillian had the same blue eyes but the more pointed nose of their mother and her darker-blonde hair. Lillian was also a little more free-spirited, which didn’t seem to come from either parent but more from their aunt, their mother’s sister, who never quite seemed to get enough of travel, wine, and men.
“So, you’re really okay with this?” Lillian asked more seriously now as they sat in the living room of her suite of rooms.
Lillian had also yet to move into her own residence. She’d planned to remodel one of the royal manors but had a difficult time picking out the paint or wallpaper, and tile or hardwood. Then, there were the furnishings… and her sister had never been able to make a serious decision. Even university had been a difficulty for her. She’d gotten into three of them and ended up attending all three over the course of five years, finally graduating from the last one. So, as she continued to waffle between this sofa or that sofa, she remained at the palace.
“I’m not really happy with Christian, if I’m being honest.”
“Well, yeah; I can understand that. I guess we should have known, though, right?” Lillian asked.
“I always thought he’d come around. He knows how important this is to Dad.”
“But Christian is his own person. And besides, being King doesn’t mean what it used to mean. Sure, you’re still head of state, but you don’t have any real control over anything. You’re a figurehead. What’s the point of that?”
