Page 39 of Appointing

“Christian and I are twins, and we’ve always been close. Those two sort of formed a bond the moment Mari was born, and even though they’re a few years apart, it’s always been those two and then Christian and me. We all get along, of course, but they’re extra close.”

“And Christian is gone now,” Ingrid nodded in understanding.

“You’d think I’d be used to it by now. We went to different universities and served in different places, but I think nine months in the womb together formed a pretty solid bond, and I’m never going to get used to him not being around,” she replied.

“Well, this seems like a girls’ vacation, so it’s probably good that he’s not here,” Ingrid replied.

“Princess Alexandria was nice to invite us. Palmer and Elizabeth will be there, too, so I’m excited to see them again. I feel like, even though I see them several times a year, I still miss them between visits.”

“They seem like great friends,” Ingrid noted.

“They are,” Elin replied, looking out the small plane window. “And I’m hoping you’ll enjoy yourself, too.” She turned back to Ingrid.

“I’m here for work, Ma’am,” Ingrid said.

“No, you’re here because Lillian and Mari thought it would be silly to have three secretaries with us while we’re on holiday. But with everything going on right now, we needed one, and everyone knows you’re the best,” Elin replied, smiling at her. “But you shouldn’t be working the whole time. It’s a holiday, Ingrid.”

“Ma’am, forgive me for saying, but it’s a holiday for Queens and Princesses. It’s a work week for the private secretary tagging along.”

Elin realized she’d lost this battle and nodded, accepting defeat but still hoping that while they were at the Scottish retreat of the British royal family, she’d be able to get Ingrid to at least take a break. The invitation from Princess Alexandria had come at a tough time. The news of Christian not wanting to take over after his father had somehow leaked out of the palace, and the family had been forced to make the announcement, deciding then to find the best time to announce the King’s retirement. Christian had then returned to his military service, and the cameras had turned their attention to her, now the next in line for the throne. Elin already wanted a break, which probably wasn’t a good thing.

When they landed, they took the car that had been sent to pick them up to the castle. Mari and Lillian were in the middle row of seats, talking about what would happen if Prince Erik and Mari started dating or, one day, married. They were giggling like two happy schoolgirls, which made Elin happy. She was in the back seat, with Ingrid at her right staring down at her phone, responding to emails and other messages. Elin worried that the chances of Ingrid taking a break while here were slim to nil, given how focused she seemed to be now.

“I am so ready for a weekend in a big, comfortable castle with giant fireplaces and gorgeous views,” Lillian said wistfully.

“You live in a palace,” Mari reminded her sister.

“In a city. Balmoral is in the country. There’s just something about being in the country that relaxes me.”

“You’ve had the opportunity to move to the country for years,” Mari countered. “You can’t seem to figure out how to decorate the place with the giant fireplaces and gorgeous view.”

Elin laughed at the truth in that statement. It reallywasbeautiful, though, and she stared out the window watching the fields and trees pass them by as their vehicle went higher and higher toward the estate grounds.

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“Thank you for having us, Alex. This place is beautiful,” Elizabeth offered.

“You’ve been here before,” the Princess replied.

“But it’s been years, and I can see you’ve updated a few things since then,” Elizabeth said.

“The roses outside,” Palmer added.

“Yes, I had them replanted and expanded the garden a bit,” Alexandria replied. “And I’ve added onto the old drawing room. It needed more sunlight and more space.”

“Well, it looks great,” Elizabeth concluded.

“It’s your first time here, though, right?” Palmer turned to Elin.

“Yes, it is. And it’s gorgeous. Thank you for inviting us.”

“Of course. I planned on inviting you all sooner, but I’ve been so busy recently. The older I get, the more I take on, and the busier I get. I was sorry Gretel wasn’t able to make it, but she’s going to take over Sweden, so she’s probably dealing with the same things I am right now. Elin, how have you been doing with Christian’s decision? That’s the biggest royal news since those two got together,” she said, pointing to Elizabeth and Palmer.

“Probably since we announced Elizabeth was pregnant with Sophia, really,” Palmer said, smiling at her wife. “We got a lot of news with that. And then with Leif, too, but mainly Sophia.”

“Yes, it was about who the donor was, whether or not he had royal blood or would one day try to make a claim on Sophia.”

“They wondered if we’d usedmyegg, which would make Soph not royal by blood,” Palmer added. “It was a whole thing.”

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