AllFreeNovel
Share Us
There was a knock at the door, and it opened to someone carrying a tray with their tea and coffee.
“I should leave you to your meeting, Ma’am.” Ingrid stood up. “I’ll take my coffee with me, if that’s all right.”
Elin nodded. Ingrid took the cup from the tray, thanking the woman carrying it, and left the Queen’s office without turning around, which wasn’t technically allowed, but she hoped Elin would give her a break on the protocol. Ingrid needed to get out of there. She definitely didn’t need the caffeine in this coffee, but she wouldn’t turn it down when offered by the sovereign. She headed back down to her new office and sat down in her chair, placing the cup of hot coffee on her desk. Then, she pulled out the note and smiled as she reread it to herself.
CHAPTER 16
“It’s strange, right? He’s still technically a Prince, but by birth only now. He’s not the Crowned Prince of Norway anymore,” Lillian said.
“I think it’s a little stranger that I’m Queen,” Elin argued.
“That’s true,” Lillian replied, laughing a little before she took a sip of her coffee. “So, how has it been?”
“It’s been the longest week of my life.”
“Mine too, if that makes you feel any better.”
“It doesn’t.” Elin took a drink of her lukewarm tea. “I don’t blame Father or Christian, but the circumstances by which I’ve been made Queen of Norway aren’t exactly ideal. We’ve already got people questioning if the monarchy even needs to exist. Christian’s removal from the line was news, but ultimately, people knew Dad was still here, and he has three daughters. Now, they’re–”
“Wondering ifweeven want it ourselves,” Lillian concluded.
“You’ve been keeping up with the news; I take it.”
“It’s been forced upon me by Katrin now that I’m heir. Hell, I think evenMariis paying more attention. Of course, that’s likely because Ingrid is her secretary now, and she’s meeting with Mari regularly.”
Elin hadn’t seen Ingrid since their meeting in this room the day after the announcement. She knew it was a good thing; she had to start worrying more about her country than her own feelings for a woman she could never have. Plus, Ingrid had a way of making her so nervous, she’d spill hot beverages all over herself and others, trip over her own feet, and miss trash cans a few feet away, so it was really for everyone’s safety that she started to spend more time away from Ingrid.
“How is that going?” she asked instead.
Elin knew she had to spend time away from Ingrid, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t ask after her, did it?
“Mari? She’s fine. She’s all in love with Erik, so I think that helps.”
“Really?”
“She hasn’t admitted it to me yet, but it’s pretty obvious. Erik was here for the party after the announcement, and Mari watched him walk into the room. She blushed like crazy, giggled a little, and then when he walked over to her, she nearly spilled her drink on him.” Lillian laughed.
“She did, huh?” Elin asked, blushing herself and realizing that her own klutziness might be at least partially genetic.
“Yeah. It reminds me a lot of what happens to you whenever Ingrid walks into a room.”
“What do you mean?” Elin said loudly, nearly tipping over her own teacup.
“I think you’ve nearly taken my eye out a few times,” Lillian replied, laughing. “It would be adorable if it weren’t so pathetic, big sister.”
“What are you–”
“Oh, Elin… I’m your sister. I know you and Christian have the whole twin thing going on, but I know you, too. I’ve seen you more these past few years than our brother has, and I’ve watched you with her. Youchangewhen she enters a room, and then again, when she leaves. You’re in love with her, aren’t you?”
“Is it that obvious?”
“I think just to me. I haven’t said anything to Christian or Mari, but I don’t think they’ve noticed.”
“Mom and Dad?”
“God, no. They think you’re straight and keep trying to set you up with eligible bachelors,” Lillian replied.
“I’m not, you know?”
