Page 107 of Appointing

“Steven served my father well; it’s not that I don’t think he deserves a title…”

“It’s that you shouldn’t have to talk to your father about it.” Ingrid finished for her.

“Exactly,” Elin replied, still typing away. “I think, sometimes, Markus forgets I’m the Queen now.”

“You should remind him,” Ingrid suggested with a smile.

“Your Majesty, we’re here,” their driver announced.

“Perfect timing,” Elin said, putting her phone away and adding, “Most people don’t know about this place. It was actually a gift from Elizabeth’s father to my family, if you can believe that, but it’s not on the people’s radar because their taxes didn’t pay for it.”

“Where are we?” Ingrid turned to look out the window.

“We’re at the royal residence in Senja.”

“I didn’t know there was–” Ingrid turned back to her. “Oh, no one knows.”

“Right,” Elin said. “It’s very small and meant for quick private getaways. I think you’ll like it, though.”

It was September, so there wasn’t yet snow on the ground, but the trees were golden-yellow, red, and brown already, and there was a chill in the air. They appeared to be on private property, but there were a few homes nearby that Ingrid could see out the window.

“I sent security ahead of us. They’ve checked everything out and will stay in the adjoining properties. No one knows we’re here, Ingrid. We can just be alone and, for once, not be interrupted.”

“That sounds perfect,” Ingrid replied, smiling.

When they got out of the car, the driver took their bags and headed up a short staircase and inside the house with its dark-wood beams and beautiful stonework. It was rustic; the front of the house faced the coastline and had large windows. But it wasn’t until they were inside, though, that Ingrid really got a chance to take it all in: the entire roof was made of glass.

“It’s thermal,” Elin explained, following Ingrid’s eyeline. “We’ll be warm.”

“It’s beautiful, Elin,” Ingrid said.

“It’s just a small one-bedroom place in the middle of nowhere.” Elin shrugged.

“Yes, beautiful,” Ingrid replied.

Once the driver had dropped their bags, he left them alone, and Ingrid realized this was only the second time they’d been truly alone. The first had been at her apartment only hours ago, but even then, security had been down the hall, and her neighbors had been on the other side of the wall. She stared at Elin for a long time. Elin stared back for a minute before she looked away, likely, nervous. Ingrid loved that she made Elin nervous, maybe a little too much.

“The fire’s nice,” she commented, trying to help with that nervousness.

“Yes, they set that up for us. I didn’t ask them to do that, but it was very nice of them.”

“Do you want to sit by it?” Ingrid asked.

Elin’s phone rang, so she pulled it out of her purse to check the readout.

“It’s my mother. Can you just give me a minute?”

“Of course.”

“Help yourself to whatever you want. The kitchen has everything we need, I think, and… I’m sorry. I–”

“Elin, it’s fine. Talk to your mother.”

“I’ll be right back,” Elin said, heading down a short hallway that, Ingrid guessed, led to the bedroom.

Ingrid took the time to explore the living area, which had a very comfortable-looking sofa and a matching chair. There was a table made of rugged dark wood and a burgundy rug in front of the wood-burning fireplace. The kitchen had modern appliances and tile work that seemed almost out of place, but Ingrid was very happy about the fancy coffeemaker and fully-stocked refrigerator. There was a small dining table that matched the one in the living area, and that was about it.

“She just wanted to know if we made it safely,” Elin said, emerging from the hallway.

---