Appointing (Royalty Series Book 2), page 12
When Ingrid arrived at her office the next morning, she sat in her chair and leaned back a bit, trying to make herself as comfortable as she could in her new permanent surroundings. She glanced down at her trash can and noticed a folded piece of paper with her name written on it on the outside. Ingrid knew that handwriting. She leaned down and picked it up, opening it and reading to herself.
Today has been absolutely crazy. Any chance you could take a break with me and join me in the kitchen for a coffee or tea later?
Elin had expected her to be here yesterday. Ingrid closed her eyes, her heart breaking a little that she hadn’t been here when Elin had needed her most. Then again, Elin would have to get used to her not being around – Markus was her secretary now, and she’d have to start getting used to that at some point.
“Hello. Miss Olson?” someone said at her office door.
“Yes, that’s me,” she replied, closing the note and tucking it safely into the breast pocket of her navy blazer.
“My name is Mary Margaret. I’m the palace decorator in charge of the offices.”
“Oh. Hello,” Ingrid replied, standing up and walking to the door to shake the woman’s hand. “What can I do for you?”
“I’ve been instructed to meet with you and make any alterations you’d like to your office.”
“My office?”
“Yes, I was told to have the extra desk removed, replace it with a chair or a sofa – whichever you’d prefer, and to get you some more light in here if possible – which, it is. The window is small, but you get great sun exposure.”
“I’m sorry. Who ordered you to–”
“Her Majesty, the Queen,” Mary Margaret interrupted. “I’m happy to show you some fabric or paint samples or just to create an overall plan for you to approve. Whichever you’d prefer.”
“The Queen asked you to redecorate my office?”
“When the Queen says to do something, I don’t think she’s asking,” the woman said, winking. “But we can easily get this desk out of here for you to start today and work on the rest later.”
“Where is my office mate going to sit?” Ingrid asked.
“I don’t believe you’re getting one. I’ve been told this is to just be your office moving forward, and you’re to approve all design decisions.”
“I didn’t know,” Ingrid said.
“Would you like me to come back with samples?” the decorator asked.
“I suppose that would be fine,” Ingrid replied.
“I’ll be back after lunch, if that’s all right with you. I have some really great UV-lamp recommendations that are fantastic for the winter. You’ll get your vitamin D without having to leave the office. I know how hard you secretaries work around here.”
“Thank you,” Ingrid said, smiling at her.
◆◆◆
“Markus, can I possibly get an audience with Her Majesty today?”
“Ingrid, she became Queen yesterday – she’ll be completely booked for the next year, at least,” he replied.
“I know. I was just–”
“Ingrid?”
Ingrid smiled and turned around to see Elin standing there.
“Your Majesty,” she bowed a little.
“Hi,” Elin said, smiling at her.
“Your Majesty, your meeting with the Prime Minister was pushed back ten minutes. He’s on his way to the palace now but got caught up in another meeting. Would you like me to have tea brought in for you?”
“Did you need something, Ingrid?” Elin asked her, ignoring Markus.
“I just wanted to say thank you for my office, Ma’am,” Ingrid replied.
“Oh, you’re welcome,” Elin told her. “I was down there last night, and it looked dreary. I wanted you to have some light and some space.”
“Thank you, Ma’am,” Ingrid replied.
“Since my meeting is pushed back, do you have a minute?” Elin asked.
“Yes, Ma’am,” she replied.
“Markus, can I have a tea and a coffee with two sugars for Ingrid, please?” Elin asked.
Ingrid resisted laughing at Markus’s expression.
“Of course, Your Majesty,” he said.
“Ingrid, shall we?”
“After you, Ma’am,” Ingrid said, motioning for Elin to walk into her office before her.
Ingrid followed and closed the door behind them.
“Why is it that the moment I become Queen, they give me heels that pinch the backs of my feet? I didn’t have this problem before,” Elin said, sitting down on her sofa and immediately kicking off her shoes.
“I can talk to the dressers for–” Ingrid stopped herself. “Maybe Markus can–”
“Ingrid, you can sit.” Elin motioned for Ingrid to take one of the chairs across from her. “I’ll be fine. I can just put Band-Aids on the back of my feet or something.”
“You should try moleskin, Ma’am.”
“What?”
“Sarah Anne is a big hiker; she swears by the stuff. I can get you some.”
“What is it, exactly?”
“It helps with blisters. It basically reduces the friction.”
“Friction?” Elin said.
Then, Ingrid watched her swallow.
“Yes, Ma’am.”
“I’ll have Markus see if we have any here.”
“Very well.”
“Can I talk to you about something?” Elin asked.
“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, it has only 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 I am grateful I still have my father. More than anything, I want him to be happy and healthy. But he retired, and now I’m supposed 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 1st Class 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 to hang out with her and that she was certain no Queen had ever uttered those words before, but Elin needed to begin relying on Markus, and she needed to stop seeing Elin as her Princess.
“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.”
There was a knock at the door, and it opened to someone carrying a tray with their tea and coffee.
“I should leave you to your meeting, Ma’am.” Ingrid stood up. “I’ll take my coffee with me, if that’s all right.”
Elin nodded. Ingrid took the cup from the tray, thanking the woman carrying it, and left the Queen’s office without turning around, which wasn’t technically allowed, but she hoped Elin would give her a break on the protocol. Ingrid needed to get out of there. She definitely didn’t need the caffeine in this coffee, but she wouldn’t turn it down when offered by the sovereign. She headed back down to her new office and sat down in her chair, placing the cup of hot coffee on her desk. Then, she pulled out the note and smiled as she reread it to herself.
CHAPTER 16
“It’s strange, right? He’s still technically a Prince, but by birth only now. He’s not the Crowned Prince of Norway anymore,” Lillian said.
“I think it’s a little stranger that I’m Queen,” Elin argued.
“That’s true,” Lillian replied, laughing a little before she took a sip of her coffee. “So, how has it been?”
“It’s been the longest week of my life.”
“Mine too, if that makes you feel any better.”
“It doesn’t.” Elin took a drink of her lukewarm tea. “I don’t blame Father or Christian, but the circumstances by which I’ve been made Queen of Norway aren’t exactly ideal. We’ve already got people questioning if the monarchy even needs to exist. Christian’s removal from the line was news, but ultimately, people knew Dad was still here, and he has three daughters. Now, they’re–”
“Wondering if we even want it ourselves,” Lillian concluded.
“You’ve been keeping up with the news; I take it.”
“It’s been forced upon me by Katrin now that I’m heir. Hell, I think even Mari is paying more attention. Of course, that’s likely because Ingrid is her secretary now, and she’s meeting with Mari regularly.”
Elin hadn’t seen Ingrid since their meeting in this room the day after the announcement. She knew it was a good thing; she had to start worrying more about her country than her own feelings for a woman she could never have. Plus, Ingrid had a way of making her so nervous, she’d spill hot beverages all over herself and others, trip over her own feet, and miss trash cans a few feet away, so it was really for everyone’s safety that she started to spend more time away from Ingrid.
“How is that going?” she asked instead.
Elin knew she had to spend time away from Ingrid, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t ask after her, did it?
“Mari? She’s fine. She’s all in love with Erik, so I think that helps.”
“Really?”
“She hasn’t admitted it to me yet, but it’s pretty obvious. Erik was here for the party after the announcement, and Mari watched him walk into the room. She blushed like crazy, giggled a little, and then when he walked over to her, she nearly spilled her drink on him.” Lillian laughed.
“She did, huh?” Elin asked, blushing herself and realizing that her own klutziness might be at least partially genetic.
“Yeah. It reminds me a lot of what happens to you whenever Ingrid walks into a room.”
“What do you mean?” Elin said loudly, nearly tipping over her own teacup.
“I think you’ve nearly taken my eye out a few times,” Lillian replied, laughing. “It would be adorable if it weren’t so pathetic, big sister.”
“What are you–”
“Oh, Elin… I’m your sister. I know you and Christian have the whole twin thing going on, but I know you, too. I’ve seen you more these past few years than our brother has, and I’ve watched you with her. You change when she enters a room, and then again, when she leaves. You’re in love with her, aren’t you?”
“Is it that obvious?”
“I think just to me. I haven’t said anything to Christian or Mari, but I don’t think they’ve noticed.”
“Mom and Dad?”
“God, no. They think you’re straight and keep trying to set you up with eligible bachelors,” Lillian replied.
“I’m not, you know?”
“Straight? Yeah, obviously, Elin.” Her sister smiled at her and then gave her a playful wink. “Is it just Ingrid, though, or are you–”
“Gay?” she said. “Yes, I’m a lesbian.”
“How long have you known?”
“Since primary school, I think.”
“What? Elin, you’re thirty years old. How have you not told us yet? I thought it was something you were still trying to figure out or something.”
“It never really mattered,” she answered. “I wasn’t taking over the monarchy of Norway. I wasn’t in love with anyone or even close to it.”
“So, you’ve never been in a relationship?”
“No, I was,” she admitted.
“What? When?!” Lillian practically yelled.
“About three years ago. Well, closer to four now, I suppose.”
“With whom?”
“No one you’d know. We met in law school. She’s Finnish. We were just friends in school but started dating after she moved back home. We were technically together for about a year, but with her starting a career in law, and me starting more of my official royal duties, we only saw one another every couple of months and for weekends or just a night or two. It was hardly a successful long-distance relationship, and it ended when she met someone else.”
“So, you’ve…” Lillian didn’t finish her sentence.
“Yes, I’ve been with a woman, if that’s what you’re asking. I haven’t been stupid; I’ve been careful. And I don’t believe the woman I’ve been with would say anything to anyone about our time together, but there is always that risk, I suppose.”
“You need to come out before they have the chance to force you out, then,” Lillian told her.
“I’m honestly not as worried about coming out as I should be, probably. I’m lucky: Elizabeth and Palmer are out. And so is Alex.”
“Then, why haven’t you come out yet?”
“Because it’s not about me being gay in front of the whole country or world. I’m more nervous about Ingrid knowing.”
“Why?”
“Because I’m in love with her, Lil. I have been since the moment I first saw her, and she’s straight. God, she’s so beautiful, though, Lil.” Elin closed her eyes and pictured Ingrid’s light-brown hair and bright-green eyes. “She’s so smart. I can hardly keep up with her sometimes. She makes me laugh. She makes me think. She’s special.”
“And you’re worried that right now she doesn’t know you’re in love with her because she thinks you’re straight, so that’s an impossibility, but once you’re out, she might start piecing things together?”
“I guess so,” Elin said.
“You should tell her.”
“Tell her what?”
“Elin, tell her that you’re in love with her. At least, tell her that you like her. Maybe don’t lead with the being in love thing; that might scare her off.”
“She’s straight, Lil.”
“Have you actually asked her that?”
“No, but–”
“Is she dating anyone?”
“Not that I know of.”
“Then, you don’t know for sure that she couldn’t return your feelings.”
“Lillian, I’m Queen now.”
“So?”
“So, things are already on shaky ground as is. If I come out, people are–”
“Screw other people, Elin! This isn’t about them or about the country. I’ve seen you with Ingrid. Why do you think I insisted I keep Katrin?”
“Huh?”
“I was hoping you’d tell Markus to go fuck himself, and you’d keep Ingrid as your secretary, but you boggled that. Now, she’s in a basement office somewhere by the kitchens, with some entry-level staffer sitting across from her. Way to show the woman you love how you feel, by the way. Then, I insisted she join us in Balmoral because I was hoping a more relaxed environment might get you to loosen up and tell the woman how you feel.”
“You invited her to–”
“Get you laid, yes.” Lillian rolled her eyes. “And for you to tell her you love her. Probably more that than the getting laid thing, but those two sometimes go together, so I was hoping you’d tell her, and then you two would figure the rest out.”
“You think she might actually…”
“Like you? Yeah, I do.” Lillian placed her cup on the table in front of them. “It doesn’t matter what I think, though. Elin, you have to realize that even if I am right, she’s not going to say anything to you about it. You have to take the lead here. You’re the Queen. She’s technically in your employ, which means she’s not going to tell you how she feels first.”
