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“The rose.” Alex nodded to it with her head.
“Oh,” Ingrid uttered. Then, she held it out. “For you.”
Elin smiled, blushed, and took the rose from her.
“Thank you,” she said. “Oh, you should take this before I drop it.” Elin held out her cup. “I made you some coffee. I didn’t see you in the kitchen getting your own.”
“You made me coffee?”
“Yeah. If you don’t want it, I can take it back inside.”
“No, I do. Coffee would be great. Thank you.”
“It’s good coffee, too. Elin brought it with her,” Lillian said, emerging outside.
“You did?” Ingrid asked.
“I asked Henri for the blend in that machine you taught me how to use. No offense, Alex, but the Brits aren’t exactly known for their coffee,” Elin noted.
“But we do have the best tea,” Alex replied.
“I know. I had some.” Elin smiled at her.
“Well, I think I’m due for a tea myself,” Alex said.
“Mari and I are going for a hike,” Lillian announced.
“Where are Palmer and Elizabeth?” Elin asked.
“Sleeping in,” Lillian replied. “Although, I don’t know how muchsleepingthey’re really getting.”
“Lil!”
“What? They’re married. They can get it on all they want; I’m not judging. I think it’s great. They’re clearly still into each other even after a decade and two kids. That’s admirable.”
“Yeah, it is,” Ingrid said softly.
Elin turned to her, offered her a shy smile, and it warmed every part of Ingrid.
“If anyone wants a tour of the estate, let me have my tea first, and we’ll be on our way,” Alex said.
“Did you eat?” Elin asked Ingrid.
“Not yet.”
“Come inside. Let’s have some breakfast.”
“I have some work I–”
“There’s work waiting back in Norway, Ingrid.” Lillian waved her off. “Take the tour, and then we’ll all have lunch when we’re back from our hike.”
“I think that’s an order,” Elin said to Ingrid with a smile.
“I suppose so,” Ingrid replied, smiling back at her.
CHAPTER 14
“When my son, the Prince of Norway, told me of his wish to serve his country through the Royal Air Force, I was understandably a proud father. I was also a concerned King.” He paused. “But only for a moment because I have been blessed with four gifted children. When my wife, the Queen, and I discovered she was pregnant with twins all those years ago, we were overjoyed. We became proud parents to two children all at once, and then again, three and six years later, with the arrival of our other daughters. My first daughter, Elin, has spent her entire life serving her country. She attended the finest school in St. Rais, followed by our finest law university here in Norway. After that, she served in our armed forces, achieving the rank of Specialist 1stClass before she returned to her work as a senior member of the royal family. She has dedicated her life to Norway, and her mother, the Prime Minister, and I have all the confidence in the world that Elin will make a fine Queen of our great nation.” The King paused again. “As many of you know, I have chosen not to hide my illness from my people. However, we have reached that time. Due to my illness and the orders from the royal doctors, I have made the incredibly difficult decision to retire as your King. The Queen and I have spent many hours discussing and agonizing over this decision. This was especially true after Christian told us his news, but I cannot go on as your King, knowing that my illness is getting worse and quicker than we’d anticipated. Today, I will be officially retiring and, therefore, will abdicate the throne to my firstborn daughter, Elin.”
