CHAPTER 38

CHAPTER 38

“And how did it go?” Mari asked.

“She said goodnight. I said goodnight. That was pretty much it,” Elin replied, sipping on her tea.

“She called you, said goodnight, and then you two hung up?” Lillian asked.

“We talked for a few minutes. She asked about the event, Palmer and Elizabeth, and the kids.”

“And what did you ask her about?” Mari asked.

“Her sister and work,” Elin replied.

“So, you’re back to being secretary and boss then, basically?” Lillian teased. “How boring, Elin. She’s your girlfriend.”

“She seemed tired or– I don’t know; maybe I was reading into it because I was tired.”

“You guys are annoying. Just talk and get it together already,” Mari told her.

“Oh, so now that you’re dating someone, you’re the master of all things love?” Lillian asked her sister.

“I didn’t say I was the master of anything. I just know they want to be together, but they’re letting stupid things get in their way.”

“I told her I loved her, and she didn’t say it back,” Elin argued. “That’s not stupid, Mari.”

“No, it’s not,” Lillian said, looking at Elin with a more serious expression than the one she’d given their younger sister. “But, Elin, we talked about this: everyone is ready to say that in their own time. Maybe Ingrid just needs a little more of that time to tell you how she feels. I mean, you told me you guys didn’t exactly stop… doing what you were doing.”

“We didn’t,” Elin replied, blushing.

“Wait… You guys had sex? Where was I? Why didn’t anyone tell me?” Mari asked, leaning forward in her chair.

“In Denmark,” Lillian replied, laughing. “With your boyfriend.”

Mari rolled her eyes at Lillian and said, “Elin, you and Ingrid really…”

Elin nodded.

“And you love her,” Mari added it as a statement of fact.

Elin nodded again.

“Then, give her some time. It’s still so new for you guys. I know you’ve loved her forever, but it’s really only been a few dates, right? It’s not like we’re the easiest family to get involved with, either. Erik will be King one day, and I’m just a useless Princess the moment Lillian has a kid, but there’s still so much to consider if we get married. I can’t imagine that’s not on Ingrid’s mind.”

“I’m sure it is.”

“Well, what happened after?”

“After what?” Elin asked.

“After you guys stopped having sex,” Mari said. “Did you stay over there, or did she stay here?”

“She stayed here.”

“And what happened after?”

“We fell asleep,” Elin replied. “It was about four in the morning by then, and we were both exhausted.”

“I bet,” Lillian teased with a quirked eyebrow in Elin’s direction.

“When I woke up, I had to get some work done before I left for St. Rais. I didn’t want to wake her, so I left her a note that I’d be back as soon as I could, but she was gone by the time I did. She had to go to work.”

“You had enough time to stop by and talk to me,” Lillian remarked.

“Well, I needed to talk to someone, and I couldn’t exactly talk to my twin brother about being with Ingrid for the first time and saying that to her.”

“I’ve always wondered about that; you and Christian are so close. You guys don’t talk about sex?”

“He didn’t even know I was gay, Lil. What do you think?”

“Does he talk to you about his girlfriends, though?”

“Thankfully, no. We have an unspoken rule. Besides, he’s been so busy in the RAF and with Amalie; I didn’t want to bother him with this. The consecration is coming up. He’ll be home for that. I can fill him in on whatever then.”

“Speaking of that; is Ingrid going to be there?” Mari asked.

“Talk about a coming out party,” Lillian commented.

“I haven’t talked to her about it,” Elin replied.

“Scared she’ll say no?”

“I have a meeting with Markus after breakfast. I’m going to discuss what I’d like with him.”

“And is that Ingrid at your consecration?” Mari persisted.

“I’d love to have her there. I’d love to look out at my family and see her sitting next to you all. I just don’t think she’s ready for that yet.”

“You need to talk to her,” Lillian replied.

“I will. I’m just trying to work up the courage. I’m supposed to meet her at her apartment tonight,” Elin said. “We’re having dinner.”

“And conversation,” Mari added.

“Yes, Mari.” Elin chuckled. “Now, I have to go.”

“Keep us posted,” Lillian told her. “And not just because you know we love this stuff.” She winked at Elin. “Because we love you.”

Elin smiled at her younger sister and gave her a nod.

◆◆◆

“Ma’am, the consecration ceremony details are nearly complete,” Markus said as he sat down across from her. “But I believe you wanted to speak with me about something.”

“I did, yes. I know I asked you to leave the seat next to Princess Mari vacant for Ingrid, but I don’t believe that will be necessary,” she said and swallowed.

“No?”

“No. I think we can let someone else from the family sit in the front row.”

“Your eldest uncle, perhaps?”

“Whoever you think it should be is fine, Markus,” she said.

Markus made a note in his notebook and looked back up at her, not saying anything for a moment.

“Ma’am,” he spoke then. “I can leave the seat vacant for now. We can always move someone up at the last minute.”

“I want to come out, Markus,” she said. “Before or after the ceremony; whatever makes the most sense.”

“Then, we should have Ingrid beside your family at the ceremony, Ma’am.”

“As much as I would like that, I don’t think Ingrid is ready to be considered part of the family just yet. You are aware that we’ve only just started our relationship. It’s likely premature for her to join us.”

“Very well, Ma’am. Should I assume that you will be telling the nation about…”

“My sexuality?” she filled in for him.

“Yes, thank you,” he replied with slightly rosy cheeks. “But not that you are in a relationship already?”

“Yes,” she said regretfully.

“And what if anyone asks?”

“About Ingrid?”

“If they ask the palace for an official statement on your relationship status,” Markus clarified. “They’ve already done so with Princess Mari, and we’ve issued a statement about her official relationship with Prince Erik. If they ask, are you prepared to lie, or would you like us to massage the truth?”

“I don’t want to lie anymore, Markus,” Elin said on a sigh.

“Ma’am, I can take care of it for you,” he replied. “We can spin things for as long as you need.”

“So, do I tell Norway that I’m gay before or after the ceremony?” she asked.

“I believe after is the best course of action, Ma’am. The focus should be on your ascension, the stability of the monarchy, and the family. Having Prince Erik there will help since people will see the likelihood of the line continuing with Princess Mari and Prince Erik.”

“I thought you were against that,” she said, lifting an eyebrow at him.

“No, Ma’am.” Markus laughed a little. “But lines of succession are tricky when there are multiple countries involved. I just wanted to make sure Norway and Princess Mari and her future children, should she have any, were protected.”

“I want that, too,” Elin said. “Can you work on a statement for me to give following the ceremony? I’ll review it, make changes, and sign off on it. We can issue the printed statement after I speak to the country. I don’t want it just out there; I’d like to record something and then post it on the official site and send it to media outlets.”

“Of course, Ma’am,” he said, nodding.

“You don’t need to speak to my father to get his permission for all of this?” she teased him.

“No, Your Majesty,” Markus replied seriously. “And, Ma’am, if I may – I owe you an apology. I’m afraid I was unprepared for the situation I found myself in, and I acted inappropriately.”

“I don’t think any of us were prepared for the situation we found ourselves in,” Elin replied. “Despite Christian’s comments over the years, I honestly thought he’d be sitting here one day instead of me. And I never actually believed my father would retire. Here we are.” She shrugged a shoulder.

“Yes, Ma’am,” he said. “And I hope you know that you can trust me. I am here to serve the sovereign and the interests of the monarchy.”

“I believe you.”

“And I should also mention that I’ve watched you grow up, Ma’am.” Markus smiled softly at her. “If I had been given a choice between which of you to serve and who I wanted as the monarch of this country after your father, I would have chosen you.”

“You have to say that,” she said, laughing a little.

“No, Ma’am, I don’t,” Markus replied sincerely.

Elin dismissed Markus after they wrapped up their discussion about the ceremony, as well as her speech and statement, and she felt better about having him as her private secretary. She also felt worse about the fact that Ingrid wouldn’t be at the consecration. She’d pictured the woman there ever since they’d discussed their first date: Ingrid would sit at the end of the family row next to Mari, and in the future, she’d sit at Elin’s side in every way. She wanted that so much for them… But if Ingrid wasn’t ready for that, Elin wouldn’t risk their relationship by pushing her. She’d waited three years; she could wait a little longer before she’d get to call Ingrid Olson her official girlfriend.