The Graf nodded.“We will see her first, before our audience with the king.But we must be careful, because Her Majesty is confined to one of the towers.Visitors are rare, and I would caution you not to upset her.”
Would the queen be like Abigail Turner, with fleeting moments of clarity?Michael wondered.Or had she crossed past the point of rational behavior?
The Graf took assistance from the footmen, who helped him back into the chair.Michael adjusted his gloves while his doubts and apprehensions rose higher.
Hannah closed the door to the coach for a moment, keeping her voice low.“When you encounter anyone at the Schloss, do not allow them to touch you,” she said.“Royalty may never be touched without permission to do so.”
He gave a nod, trying to memorize her instructions.
“Wait for a footman to ask permission to take your coat,” she continued.“You must stand and allow him to take it off you.”
He stared at her.“Do you mean to say I am not allowed to remove my own coat?”
“Others will be responsible for dressing you and undressing you,” she answered.“A valet will be assigned to you, and you must permit him to carry out his duties.”
“As if I were nothing more than a child?”
“No.Because it is your right to be waited on by others.”
He couldn’t imagine behaving in such a way.“And what if I refuse?”
“You mustn’t.”She glanced back at the Schloss.“Already there will be those who doubt your right to be prince.”She took his hand and pleaded, “Trust what I say.It will be easier if you obey the rules that are expected.”
He glanced down at their joined hands.Hannah tried to jerk her fingers back, but he held them in his grip.Beneath the glove, she still wasn’t wearing the ring he’d given her.
“Should I tell them that you are my translator, my mistress, or my wife?”he demanded.
For an infinite moment, she looked into his eyes as though he were crushing her heart.He’d expected a firm refusal, as well as a reminder that she would only stay for a few days.Clear green eyes watched him with an unnamed emotion.
“Tell them whatever you want,” she said dully.
Her words exasperated him.Why in God’s name couldn’t women simply state what they desired instead of hiding their true thoughts behind a set of good manners?
A servant opened the door to the coach, and a chill swept over Michael at the thought of meeting the queen.He disembarked and reached up to help Hannah down.
“Don’t do that again,” she murmured.“You’re royalty.Let a footman help me down.”
He couldn’t believe what he was hearing.Did she expect him to behave as though he owned the earth, and everyone else was privileged to be in his presence?From the way she followed at a discreet distance behind him, it seemed that was exactly the case.
Servants carried the Graf up two flights of stairs, to a private drawing room within one of the towers while they followed behind.When Michael waited for Hannah, she shook her head.“This is your audience, not mine.I will await you here.”She pointed to a wooden high-backed chair.
“Do as you please.”He turned his back on her, unable to conceal his anger.What was the matter with her?He couldn’t understand why she was behaving like his subject instead of his equal.
Before he could think upon it further, he was led into a private room.The Graf’s men seated him in a chair, and the ambassador was pale from overexertion.
“Lieutenant Thorpe.”The Graf struggled to rise to his feet.“May I present to you Her Majesty, Queen Astri of Lohenberg?”
At the Graf’s bidding, the servant opened another door, leading to a room Michael hadn’t noticed before.After a moment, he moved forward without making a sound.
A woman was seated, staring out the window.Iron bars had been fastened in front of them, and a lady-in-waiting sat nearby, embroidering the hem of a gown.
Michael didn’t know what to say.He’d never been in the presence of a queen before, much less one who was possibly his true mother.In the end, he knocked softly upon the door frame.
“Your Majesty...”he began.
Her head turned at the sound of his voice.When she saw him, her hands began to shake.Her eyes welled up, and she pointed to him.
“Come closer,” she murmured.And he saw that she was not at all mad.Her hazel eyes were the same as his own, and he saw similarities between their facial features.
