Page 51 of Appointing

“Of course, Ma’am.”

“I don’t know Markus well yet, so I don’t know that I can trust him not to say anything to Steven or my father.”

“I’m sure you can, Ma’am.”

“I’m sure I can, too, but I’m not ready to try yet. It’s just that… I’ve been Queen for about twenty-four hours now, and my father has already told me what to do on several occasions. He’s made my schedule for the next week, told me who to meet with, and even what to say. I agree with some of it, but he’s suggesting I don’t do this commencement speech that I’d really like to do because, apparently, Queens don’t do that. Who’s to say Queens can’t give law school graduates a speech?”

“And you haven’t discussed this with Markus?”

“No, he just has my schedule and tells me where to go so far. I probably only have five minutes until the Prime Minister gets here, so you might have to take your coffee to go, unfortunately.”

“That’s all right, Ma’am,” Ingrid replied, forgetting completely about the promised coffee.

“I’m just worried he’s going to keep interfering.”

“Well, ithasonly been a day. I suspect he’s trying to adjust to not being King in the same way you’re trying to adjust to being Queen.”

“I suppose,” Elin sighed.

“And forgive me for saying so, Ma’am, but you’re actually luckier than most monarchs: your father is still alive.”

“I know. I know.” Elin sighed again. “He reminded me as much this morning, telling me I’m blessed because he’s still here to mentor me. And Iamgrateful I still have my father. More than anything, I want him to be happy and healthy. But he retired, and nowI’msupposed to be Queen. I don’t mind a mentor, but I don’t want to set the precedent that I’m basically his regent or the face of the monarchy while he’s the brains behind the operation.”

“Ma’am, you have the brains, the talent, and the imagination to be a monarch.”

Elin blushed a little and said, “I do?”

“Of course, you do,” Ingrid replied, softening at Elin’s small voice. “Ma’am, you’re more educated than your father was when he took over. You have a degree in political science and another in law. Your father stayed in the military until he took over, and that’s an education as well, but you did that, too. You earned your rank faster than your father earned his. Ma’am, you were promoted to Specialist 1stClass before Christian was promoted in the Air Force. You are what this country needs right now. Your father might struggle seeing that at first, but I have every confidence that you will show him with your actions that while you could use a mentor, you don’t need a former King telling you what to do.”

Elin smiled and gave her a small nod.

“Thank you, Ingrid,” she said.

“You don’t have to thank me for telling the truth, Your Majesty.”

“Can I be Elin for a minute? Just until the tea and coffee arrive.”

“Ma’am, I don’t think that would be appropriate. We’re not on holiday.”

“Trust me, I know.” Elin nodded in understanding. “Well, I should let you get back to your work.”

“About my office, Ma’am?”

“Yes?”

Ingrid smiled wide and said, “It was very kind of you, Ma’am.”

“Ingrid, I have an early dinner with my parents and my sisters, but my evening is free. Would you, perhaps, meet me in the kitchen later, if you’re not heading home? We don’t have to meet in the kitchen, of course. We could meet up here and have coffee or drinks or…” Elin looked down at the carpet. “Or something else. I could have Henri make…”

“Ma’am, I’m having dinner with my sister tonight, or else I would,” she lied.

“Of course. Sorry. You don’t live here, and you don’t have to hang out with me after hours,” Elin said. “I shouldn’t have… I’m sorry. Enjoy your dinner.”

Ingrid wanted to tell her that she’d love tohang outwith her and that she was certain no Queen had ever uttered those words before, but Elin needed to begin relying on Markus, andsheneeded to stop seeing Elin asherPrincess.

“I will, Ma’am. Thank you. Will you stop by my office when the renovations are done?”

“Of course,” Elin said. “I’d love to.”

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