Page 43 of Appointing

Ingrid smiled and finished her wine.

“Well, I think I’m ready for bed,” Elizabeth announced.

“Yeah?” Palmer asked.

“Yeah, I want to call the kids.”

“Okay. We’ll see you guys in the morning,” Palmer told everyone.

They all said their goodnights to the only married couple in the bunch, and Palmer and Elizabeth took off for bed.

“You know, Mari and I should turn in as well,” Lillian said.

“We should?” Mari asked, looking at Lillian.

“Yes, we’re both very tired. Right?”

“I guess,” Mari replied, looking confused.

“Well, I’ll turn in myself,” Alexandria said. “I didn’t sleep well last night. I’ve been trying to keep up with what’s going on with Parliament, which means reading a lot. There’s not always time to do that during the day, so I often stay up late to keep up with everything. I am very happy to be on this holiday; let me tell you.”

She stood, excused herself, and left with Mari and Lillian shortly after.

“I suppose I should get to bed myself,” Elin said then.

“Are your parents really trying to get you to marry?” Ingrid asked.

Elin seemed surprised by the question but nodded and said, “It’s normal.”

“But you’re not going to give in, are you?”

“Give in?” Elin asked, smiling at her.

“Just accept the men they throw at you?”

“No, I won’t do that.” The woman chuckled. “I’m going to clean up since my sisters left their wineglasses, and I don’t want Alex to think we can’t clean up after ourselves. We’ll never be invited back.”

“I’ll help,” Ingrid offered.

“You don’t have to,” Elin told her.

“I want to,” Ingrid replied, standing up and grabbing two glasses off the table.

Elin stood up, grabbed the one Alex had left behind, and they walked into the kitchen together, placing them in the sink.

“I’ll just wash them,” Elin said.

“You know how to wash dishes?” Ingrid teased.

“Shut up and dry,” Elin replied through her laughter.

???

The following morning, Ingrid headed outside first thing to enjoy some fresh air. She hadn’t slept well after staying up late talking to Elin while they washed dishes together. Ingrid was starting to get a little too comfortable with Elin, and she needed to get used to working for Mari now instead. She needed to start seeing Elin only as her future Queen and not as someone she genuinely enjoyed spending time with.

“Hi.”

“Oh, hi. Sorry, Your Royal–”

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