Page 36 of Appointing

“Ma’am?”

“I want a couple, at least. Not tomorrow, mind you. Maybe in a few years, I’ll start really thinking about it. I’ll need at least two. You know how that goes; the heir and the spare. If Elin’s not popping them out – it’s up to me. But it’s fine because I want them. Mari will probably have like six, which would totally be hilarious because she’s always said she wants one or two, absolutely tops. I swear, if she ends up marrying a King with six kids, I will seriously laugh for a solid week. I might even last a month. Watch her have twins first, like my parents, and think she’s done, and then she ends up with triplets next or something.”

Ingrid smiled and nodded at the Princess because she had no idea how to handle this little chat they were having. It was certainly the strangest conversation the two of them had ever had.Telling, but still strange.

“So, what aboutyou?”

“Me?”

“Kids,” Lillian repeated.

“Oh, I–” Ingrid looked over at Elin just in time to watch her take a step backward, which wouldn’t have been a problem except that damn long dress caught and tore slightly. “I’m sorry, Ma’am. I have to…”

Yes, she was definitely going to have a conversation with whomever had put Elin in this dress. She’d needed a way out of that conversation, but this wasn’t the out she’d been hoping for. Someone on the staff telling her she was needed elsewhere – yes. Elin tripping over the back of her too-long dress because someone couldn’t measure or tailor properly – no.

“Pardon me, Your Royal Highness. May I have a word?” she asked.

“Oh, okay,” Elin replied. “Excuse me.” She smiled at the two men she was speaking with. “Ingrid?” she asked as Ingrid hovered her hand over the small of Elin’s back without touching her and ushered her into an empty hallway. “Is everything okay?”

“Your dress is torn,” Ingrid informed her.

“What? Where?” Elin immediately looked down at her chest.

That causedIngridto look down at Elin’s chest, which was on prominent display in that tight dress. She looked back up and met Elin’s eyes, clearing her throat.

“The back, Ma’am. It’s too long.”

Elin pulled the dress a bit and noticed the tear.

“It’s not big, Ma’am, but itisnoticeable.”

“Should I change?” she asked.

“No, but we should mend it quickly.”

“Okay. Can you call for–”

“I can take care of it for you.”

“They teach you all sewing classes ontopof first aid?” Elin teased.

“No, Ma’am. But my mother taught me. I just need a needle and thread. Can you meet me in your room? I’ll tell Katrin to tell everyone you’ll be right back if anyone asks.”

“Yes. Okay,” Elin replied.

Ingrid left her Princess in the hall while she went in search of what she needed. Finding it in the dresser’s office, she made her way to Elin’s room, knocked, and entered. Elin was standing at the window, looking out at the palace grounds.

“This should only take a minute.”

“Take your time,” Elin said without turning around. “I’m in no hurry.”

“You’re not enjoying the party, Ma’am?”

“My father invited two Dukes and an Earl. What doyouthink?”

“Ma’am?”

“He’s trying to marry me off,” Elin stated.

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