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It was the second night of the royal visit, which Ingrid had decided to call this weekend. The only one missing was Princess Alexandria from the UK, but she had been unable to attend. Ingrid was sitting in her usual spot, behind the future Queen, in the room filled with royals and their own private secretaries. The current King and Queen were discussing something with the Prince of Denmark and his own secretary. Elin was discussing something with Markus, which made Ingrid a little jealous, if she was being honest. Technically, Elin was stillherPrincess. Markus would have her soon enough.
She then watched as Elin walked around the room, talking to every person in turn, including the secretaries and other invited guests. Elin shook their hands, smiled and laughed, and didn’t at all trip over herself, despite wearing a dress that was probably a little too long for her and dragged a bit on the plush carpet. Ingrid would have to talk to Elin’s dressers because they clearly had her measurements wrong and didn’t know the Princess howshedid. Elin should be tripping all over the place; she was wearing three-inch heels. Yet, as she turned and walked, she had no problems at all. She was kind of a wonder, actually. Elin was the definition of the perfect Princess and would soon be the definition of the perfect Queen.
“Can we talk for a second?” Mari asked out of nowhere.
“Of course, Your Royal–”
“Ingrid, you’re great,” Mari interrupted her as she began. “I really like you. I just don’t want or need a secretary. Father is insistent, but I’m going to business school. I did the military thing that Dad mandated, and I get why, but it’s my turn now. I want to go to school and have some semblance of a normal life if I can, and that doesn’t include a secretary.”
“I’m afraid, it’s not my decision, Ma’am.”
“I get that,” Mari replied. “I’m just letting you know that it’s not at all about you, okay? I don’t want you to think I don’t like you or want you. I just don’t wantanyone. The news calls me ‘The Reluctant Princess’ for a reason.”
“Yes, Ma’am,” Ingrid said.
“I am happy to recommend you for any other position you want. Elin will give it to you. She loves working with you. Just name it, and we’ll make it happen.”
“Ma’am, are you saying I won’t have a job at all?”
“Of course not. We’ll find you something here, Ingrid. If you really want to be my secretary, you can still have the job in name, but I won’t need anything at least until I’m done with school. That’s why I’m suggesting we find you something else. I know you love your job, and we love having you.”
“Elin’s doing great tonight, isn’t she?” Lillian asked, walking over to the two of them.
“What? Oh, yeah,” Mari replied. “Will you think about it?” she asked Ingrid.
“Yes, Ma’am,” Ingrid said, not really understanding what she was supposed to be thinking about.
Mari nodded at her and walked back into the crowd.
“So, she’s trying to dump you, huh?”
“I’m sorry?”
“Mari. Father won’t let her. You don’t have to worry about your job, Ingrid. Even if she’s insisting on school, Dad won’t let her be without a proper secretary. Until I have kids, she’s next up now.”
“I just want to help however I can, Ma’am,” Ingrid replied, knowing she’d prefer her own Princess.
“Hey, that Prince Erik is pretty hot, huh?” Lillian said out of nowhere.
“Pardon?” Ingrid asked, snapping to attention at the sudden change in topic.
“He’s around Elin’s age, but she’s not interested in him at all. I get it; he’s going to be King of Denmark. It’s not exactly like the old days, but if they married, people would expect her to move there, and they’d have Denmark and Norway together.”
“The Princess Royal is going to marry–”
“Oh, no. She doesn’t like Erik. I don’t even think she likes him as a friend. He’s a nice guy, but they’re not close. Heishot, though. Don’t you think so?”
“I don’t think it’s my place to say, Ma’am.”
Lillian looked at her and said, “He’s hot. Mom thought he might be intome, but I think he’s into Mari. Look.” She pointed. “I think Mari’s into him as well. They’ve been inseparable since he got here. I’d laugh for days if Mari, the one who wants to have a normal life, ends up with the future King of Denmark.”
“I suppose, thatwouldbe funny,” Ingrid replied.
“Anyway, it’s not like Elin dates at all now. Mom is trying to find someone she might actually like. When she’s Queen, people will expect her to start dating right away. I keep telling Mom it doesn’t matter; Elin doesn’t want kids. So, the whole marriage thing isn’t a big deal, you know?”
“I’m sorry, no, Ma’am. What am I supposed to know?”
“Doyouwant kids?” Lillian asked.
