Page 92 of The English Queen

“I can’t wait much longer, Robert.”

“You’re doing better.”

“It’s a farce. I’m better physically but I’ve never been fuzzier. The drugs… they make me forget things. People keep assuming I am coming back but I’m not. The plan is in place. There is no reason we cannot just announce it.”

Robbie swallowed hard. “Let me warn Vanna. She will want to know.”

?????

“Come on, come on,” Maggie tried to calm the crowd.

“Everyone! Quiet!” Sabine shouted.

Beth looked at Louis, assuming this was a big announcement about Baby Kiersten’s first year. The baby had the time of her life chasing one of Beth’s mother’s puppies. She could have cared less what the adults said.

“Yes, I don’t want to say much but we’re all here,” Maggie looked at Keir.

Beth’s stomach dropped. This wasn’t good news. She involuntarily gripped Louis’s arm with both hands.

“Things are… I’m not myself. And since about December, I had decided on changes to the structure of… everything. Robbie, Vanna, and Duncan have shouldered everything the institution needs. I am not driving anymore. I am not myself. I am good enough to enjoy life now, but I cannot make good choices many days. I am ashamed to admit that.”

Beth teared up and squeezed Louis’s arm tighter.

“For this reason, I feel it is better to hand the reins over to Robert—effective June 1st.”

There was a murmur.

“He knows,” Keir clarified. “We’ve been transition planning for months, but Robert wanted to wait until after Beth’s wedding to say anything.”

“And mother inexplicably moved the date up,” Robbie said. “But you all needn’t fear. This transition will be smooth. We will handle the coronation next year. Vanna and I have been preparing. The children have known.”

Vanna added, “And couldn’t care less, I think. We expected big feelings, and no one seems to care.”

“That’s kids for you,” Sabine remarked.

“You know, didn’t you, mother?” Rita asked as Beth felt the blood drain from her head.

Keir nodded. “She knows all. It’s a safe bet. Sisters.”

Beth was faint. She felt her knees lock and her ankles give. She lost it. When she awoke, Louis and Rebecca were bent over her. She looked up, her eyes slowly opening to unveil concerned faces.

Louis was panicked. “I caught you. But you… did you have a seizure?”

“I think I passed out,” Beth answered.

“It looked like she fainted,” Rebecca confirmed. “Beth, are you alright? Stay there a moment.”

“I’m… sorry. Sorry to steal Robbie’s moment. I just… I felt so faint. I was overwhelmed.”

Robbie peered over her. “Don’t apologise. It’s fine. It was a big change to announce here.”

“Beth are you sick?” Maggie shouted.

“No, Mum. I’m fine. Can I stand?”

“I worry for you to stand. I worry you will have a seizure,” Louis said.

“Louis, I’m fine. Trust me. It’s not that. I was overwhelmed and… just ignore me.”

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