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The butler opened the ornate door, and I stepped inside. With a polite nod, I introduced myself. “Good evening, I’m Theo Ashford.”
As I ventured further into the elegant foyer, I was met by the King, Queen, and Emilie herself. “Hello,” I said, smiling. “I’m Theodore Ashford.”
I took a moment to admire the opulent surroundings before turning my attention to the royal family. I couldn’t explain why, but part of me expected the house to be in serious disrepair. It wasn’t. Maybe things weren’t as bad as I thought.
The Queen greeted me first, her regal demeanor softened by a warm smile. “Theo Ashford,” she said, her tone carrying a hint of familiarity. “We’re so glad you could be here.”
“It’s an honor to be here, Your Majesty,” I replied, bowing slightly.
Emilie, standing beside her parents, regarded me with a composed expression. Her eyes held a hint of curiosity, and I wondered what thoughts were swirling beneath the surface. She was dressed in a simple black dress with a pink belt. I admired her style. She had a way of looking casual and elegant at the same time. Her hair was left down, hanging over one shoulder. She had a very queenly appearance.
Her father stepped forward. “Mr. Ashford, it’s good to meet you in person.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
He chuckled. “Please, call me Magnus. After all, we’re going to be family soon.”
“And you can call me Ingrid,” her mother said with a smile.
I turned my attention to Emilie, offering a polite nod. “Emilie, it’s a pleasure to see you again.”
Her response was measured, her tone polite but reserved. “Theo, thank you for joining us.”
As we moved into the grand dining room, the atmosphere was charged with a sense of purpose. The table was adorned with exquisite china and crystal. Again, I was struck to see signs of wealth. I kept expecting the family to be destitute. I was getting a better understanding of the situation. It wasn’t nearly as dire as I thought. The Queen guided me to my seat, and I took my place beside Emilie, acutely aware of the significance of the seating arrangements. Her parents were making sure this match was followed through to a marriage.
“We’ve had the chef prepare a special meal for you,” Ingrid said.
“I’m not a picky eater.” I nodded at the server who filled my glass with chardonnay.
“I suppose American cuisine is very simple,” she said.
“American cuisine tends to be a combination of French and English dishes actually.”
“Do you have a chef that prepares these meals for you?”
“No.” I shook my head. “My mother prefers to do the bulk of the cooking for the family. At times, we do need to have a cook come in.”
“How very American,” she replied in a haughty tone.
I didn’t take offense. I was used to people in our society being pompous. My parents liked their more relaxed way of living.
Servers emerged carrying our first course. I took my first bite of a crab cake and nodded. “Very good.”
“Our chef is one of the best in Norway. He travels with us.”
“Mother, please,” Emilie said with exasperation. “Theo doesn’t care about our chef.”
I participated in the small talk about the weather and events in Norway. The next course was a Caesar salad. Emilie barely ate. I wondered if she was nervous. Was she worried I was going to say something that might embarrass her? Or worse, something that made her look less than the perfect princess?
It was after the clam chowder was served that the king finally got to the point. “Theo, I believe it’s important for you to be involved in the business side of our monarchy. As a member of our royal family, you’ll have certain responsibilities.”
I nodded, fully aware of the expectations that came with my impending marriage to Emilie. My role was integral to the well-being of the country. “I understand,” I said, nodding. “I look forward to learning more.”
He smiled and looked pleased. “We have properties in several countries, and it’s essential that we assess their value and ensure they are well maintained. I would like to ask if you’d be willing to travel to these locations and oversee the process. I understand you have experience buying and selling property. Your father has built a very successful business doing that.”
“You’ve done your homework,” I said, laughing.
“Choosing the right husband for my daughter is one of the most important decisions a father has,” he said solemnly. “One day, you will understand that.”
