Page 37 of Appointing

“I’m sure that’s not why.”

“No, it is. He and my mother are both convinced I should marry as soon as possible after taking the throne. It’s important to show stability.”

“Would you take the dress off for me, Ma’am? It’ll be easier to fix.”

“Take it off?” Elin asked, her eyes going wide.

“Yes. I’ll stay out here; you can take it off in the closet and hand it to me through the door. I’ll get it right back to you.”

“It’s fine,” Elin said. “Let me just grab my robe.”

She disappeared into her closet and came out wearing her robe with the dress in hand. Then, she passed it to Ingrid, who sat on Elin’s bed and began repairing the dress. Elin sat down next to her, and Ingrid realized this was the first time they’d sat down inthisroom together.

“I’m sure your parents are just trying to–”

“Convince me to find a man, settle down, and have Princes and Princesses? Yes, that’s exactly what they’re doing.”

“I thought you didn’twantchildren, Ma’am.”

“I don’t,” Elin confirmed. “Now is when you ask why, right?”

“I’m sorry, Ma’am?” Ingrid looked over at her.

“Everyone always asks why a woman doesn’t want to have children.”

“I guess I just assume you have your reasons.Idon’t need to know them.”

“Really?” Elin asked, sounding surprised.

“I have my own;Idon’t plan to explain them to everyone,” Ingrid replied.

“Your own?”

“Reasons.”

“For?”

“Not having children, Ma’am,” Ingrid said, returning her attention to her sewing.

“You don’t want children?”

“I’m thirty-six years old, Ma’am. I know I don’t want to be a single parent, and I’m not seeing anyone. Besides, I’ve never felt that pull toward having my own children. I know when Sarah Anne does one day, I’m going to be the best aunt to them, but I know I’m perfectly fine not having my own.”

When Elin didn’t say anything, Ingrid looked up at her and ended up stabbing her finger with the needle.

“Ouch!”

“What? Did you–” Elin took Ingrid’s hand and looked. “You stabbed yourself, Ingrid? I think you’re spending way too much time with me; I’m rubbing off on you. This isn’t good.” She laughed a little.

“I don’t want to get blood on your dress, Ma’am.”

“The dress is fine,” Elin replied. “Stay there.”

She stood up and walked into the bathroom. When she returned moments later, she held a bandage and a tube of something.

“Do not say it,” Elin told her, holding up the tube. “We’re going to call it an antibioticcream, all right?”

Ingrid laughed, recalling how much the Princess hated the wordointment.

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