Epilogue

Flora

I finally learned something about American geography.

I also learned that I like West Virginia. More specifically, my sister-in-law’s hometown and her family have made me feel most welcome.

On the day after Hailey’s grandmother’s funeral, Callum, Sigurd, Etienne and Torben decide to teach the American side of the family how to play rugby.

Pretty soon, the children have started up a game for themselves. Tilly, the twins Madeleine and Marta, Florence and Sunny get on instantly with the American children who’ve come to play, and pretty soon they’ve all forgotten about the adults.

The adults stand back and watch on the sidelines, shouting encouraging comments here and there, but we’re mostly enjoying the sunshine and the mountain air.

“I never thought you would take to country life, but it suits you,” I say to Torben, who wears jeans now and has a dog in his lap as we sit in the grass.

“I’m glad you all came for the funeral,” he says.

Callum pipes up, “Every one of you showed up for my father. It’s the least we can do.”

Torben smiles and changes the subject. He doesn’t do well with compliments. “So, Your Majesty. What were you discussing with Hailey?”

I heave a sigh. “I suppose now is as good a time to tell you as any. Ever since I uncovered Bird Eye Black’s treasure, I’ve been thinking about everything. I’ve been reconsidering how the royal family lives, how we’re venerated for our mere existence. I’ve been thinking about Gravenland’s history, and how we don’t talk enough about how things used to be. How rich our country was before we were colonized, our resources bought, sold, and sometimes stolen. I want to restore some of that shared knowledge. So, Callum and I have decided to turn the palace into a museum and open it up to the public. We’ve discussed it with Etienne and Sigurd, and they agree.”

All the tired and sweaty adults are now sitting straight up, listening intently to this conversation. The very few who have heard this already smile at each other knowingly.

“She’s being humble,” Callum says. “It was all her idea.”

I nudge my husband, the King Consort, with my knee. “If you hadn’t pursued the treasure, I would never have had these ideas.”

I continue: “After meeting with our historians, it’s clear that Callum’s ancestors, and half a dozen others, have been buried underground for millennia. It’s unfair that we Haarts and only us sit on the throne. Either we honor our history with a dozen different crowns given back to a dozen different descendants of the smaller kings from the time before colonization, or we humble ourselves a little bit and tell the real story.”

Torben nods. “And what about Mother?”

“She can live in the palace as long as she pleases. She’s not happy about it, but we’ll keep the family wing as it is and cordoned off from the public while the work goes on to establish the rest of the palace as a museum.

And as for the monarchy in general, I’m speaking with the prime minister next month. We’re going to discuss a referendum to dismantle the monarchy altogether. No more royal families. No more meaningless nobilities.”

“The people will never go for that,” says Sigurd.

My oldest brother is thoughtful for a moment. “It’s a huge change to get used to, but I like it.”

“None of the siblings live at the palace anymore,” says Etienne. “We may as well begin giving the riches back to the people, in our own way.”

True enough. Etienne and Kala live at Windewall, and will continue living there. Torben and Hailey split their time between West Virginia and the coastal cottage in Gravenland. Sigurd and Stasi’s family occupy the family cabin at Mirror Lake. Jakob, Jo, and their brood split their time between Mirror Lake and the arts district in the capital city, where Jakob’s art gallery demands a good deal of attention.

“I just need to make sure everyone agrees on this,” I say. “All the siblings. All the in-laws.”

Etienne weaves his fingers lazily through Kala’s hair, who’s sunning herself flat on her back. “I mean, you are the queen, baby sister.”

Everyone else nods and articulates their agreement.

“Do we need to sign something to make it official?” Torben asks.

I consider this, then say, “For now, let’s pinky swear.”

Laughter follows, but then the pinky swear ceremony is most serious, with each of my brothers, one by one.

“What was once stolen from our people will now be restored,” I say.

“Baby sister, are you sure you don’t want to continue being a queen? Because that was good,” Sigurd says, his expression soft underneath his scruffy beard.

Callum weaves his fingers through mine.

“I’m sure, brother.”

When nighttime comes, the children have exhausted themselves with games, the trampoline, and playing in the creek.

Torben and the other siblings head outside to start a campfire while Callum and I offer to put everyone to bed.

It’s fun being an aunt. While Callum and I want children soon, but it hasn’t yet happened. Until then, I’ll enjoy having everyone else’s little ones around me whenever I can get them.

By the time they’ve all bathed and brushed their teeth, the children can barely muster the energy to don their pajamas, but we do our best.

As the children snuggle down with each other in the bunkhouse, Callum lights a lantern and spins a yarn.

He tells them a tale about a girl and a boy who find lost treasure that once belonged to a great old kingdom.

Soon, all the children are asleep.

I lean over and kiss my husband’s lips. The wonder and excitement in my belly are as fresh as the day he first kissed me.

“You tell the most beautiful stories.”

My husband winks at me. “But our story is my favorite one.”

THE END