Page 24 of Appointing

CHAPTER 8

“Why didn’t anyone call me?” Mari asked.

“You aren’t allowed phone calls there.”

“Really? I’m a Princess; they would have made an exception. Besides, everyone knows it’s a formality that we do this stuff. Christian loves the military, but the three of us could have done without serving,” Mari replied. “I mean, I’m all for sister solidarity and the country, but after training, they put me behind a desk because of how useless I am with any kind of weapon.”

“Well, we’re glad to have you back,” Elin told her sister.

“You’re going to be Queen,” Mari stated.

“Yes, I am,” Elin replied.

“Dad’s retiring, Christian doesn’t want it, and you’re going to be Queen,” Mari repeated.

“Mari, we went over this,” Lillian said.

“Lil, you’ve had a little more time to get used to this than I have. Give me a minute,” Mari replied. “Do you even want this, Elin? I mean, our brother is wrong for doing this to you, but–”

“It’s fine,” Elin said, shrugging a shoulder. “I don’t have much of a choice, anyway, but I’m slowly coming to terms with it.”

“That means you’re first in line now,” Mari said to Lillian.

“And you’re second; new jobs all around,” Lillian muttered.

“I just want to go to school now that my service is done.” Mari crossed her arms over her chest. “Elin, Dad promised when I got done with my two years that I could go to school. I want my advanced degree. You got to go to law school. This doesn’t change that, does it?”

“I don’t think so, but I don’t know. There’s a lot that still has to be worked out.”

“I can’t work a real job because of who I am, but I want to run one of the family charities one day. I want to go to business school, Elin. If you’re Queen, you can make it happen.”

“Mari, can we please table that until after the announcement? You just got home. We’re having a party tonight to celebrate. Let’s just do that,” Elin told her.

“Ma’am, may I come in?” Ingrid asked.

“Hello, Ingrid. Nice to see you,” Mari said.

Elin looked from Mari to Ingrid and then away from both of them.

“You as well, Your Royal Highness,” Ingrid replied.

“Come in, Ingrid,” Elin said in a more serious tone than she’s planned. “What do you need?”

“Actually, it’s Princess Mari that I need. I was hoping we could set up a time to meet tomorrow.”

“What for?” Mari asked.

“Ma’am?” Ingrid asked back. Then, she looked at Elin. “Your Royal Highness?”

“There are too many of those in this room right now. This is confusing,” Lillian stated.

“I haven’t had a chance to tell her yet, Ingrid. Mari only just arrived,” Elin replied to Ingrid.

“Tell me what?”

“Ingrid is your new private secretary,” Elin said.

“What? Why?” Mari asked. “No offense, Ingrid.”

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