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“Your father has given you a title, Alexandria. People are watching.”
“I have more honorary titles than I can count, Mother.”
“This one is for the Navy. You love the Navy,” her mother reminded her. “You chose the Navy over the Army, which is where we wanted you to serve.”
“Idolove the Navy. I loved my time there. But I have my rank. I don’t need an honorary title. There are people serving in our navy that earn their titles.”
“You were a lieutenant,” her mother said.
“Yes, and I don’t need to be honorary Commodore-in-Chief of the Royal Navy’s Small Ships and Diving Operations. I wasn’t even a diver.”
“Well, you can’t be the Duke of Cornwall because that’s handed down to the male first-in-line. He’s giving you titles that can be bestowed, Alexandria.”
“He could always try to change that stupid rule. Women inherit now regardless of whether or not a male is born after. That has changed. Why can’t this?” Alex asked. “Honestly, never mind. I don’t need to be Duchess of Cornwall.”
“Why are you so indifferent to all of this? It’s not as if you haven’t received titles before.”
“I’m not indifferent. I just wasn’t planning on coming back this soon.”
“I know that. Why do you think I asked your father to move up his plans?”
Alex turned to look at her mother and asked, “What? Why?”
“Because you’ve been spending too much time away. It’s not good for you; for the family. You need to be here and be seen.”
“Is Father all right?” Alex asked, concerned.
“He’s fine. He’ll likely outlive us all,” her mother replied, rolling her eyes. “The man runs every morning, has never picked up a cigarette, and rarely drinks more than a glass of anything. The doctor said just two weeks ago that he’s in perfect health.”
“So, why do I need to be here more?”
“Because it’s time, Alexandria. I’ve told you this a million times. It’s time for you to be here and to put one hundred percent into your role. It’s time for you to settle down.”
“You think I’m not settled?”
“You cannot be settled until you find a wife,” her mother told her. “And until you have children.”
“I’m settled enough,” Alex replied.
“Teresa is here tonight.”
“I know. She’s always invited to these things,” Alex said, showing no interest in her tone whatsoever.
“There’s also the Princess from Luxembourg.”
“She’s nineteen,” Alex replied.
“And she’s bisexual, according to her mother.”
“She’s nineteen,” Alex repeated.
“She turns twenty next month,” her mother told her. “You and your brother have been invited to her party. She’s very pretty. Plus, she’s third in line, so there’s no risk of her taking over Luxembourg. She’s not really a Princess as it’s only a Grand Duchy, but she’s–”
“Nineteen. I have a sweater older than her, Mother,” Alex said.
“She’s young, yes, but she hasn’t been married. She also has a fertile family. She’s one of six, after all, and her older siblings all have children.”
“Oh, my God,” Alex said. “I cannot do this with you right now.”
