The look that crossed his face could be annoyance, disapproval, amusement, a combination of all or none. "Yes, Your Majesty." This time he emphasized the title.
Her nose wrinkled. "I know I'll have to get used to it at some point, but could you please not call me that for the time being? No one is supposed to know, but you can bet it will spread like wildfire if someone hears you."
This time the look definitely had overtones of disapproval. "We'll discuss it."
Elise didn't think she'd be in on those discussions.
"Regardless, we'll be taking you to the hotel. You'll move to a different vehicle that will exit a different way than we came in. You'll be taken to the palace via an underground entrance."
That answered one question, though it still didn't tell her if she'd be living there for the time being or not.
Neither man seemed to be open to any further questions, so Elise kept them to herself. She pulled her phone out and returned a couple of text messages but avoided social mediaor the news sites. Speculation about Frederick's plans would certainly be all over the local outlets. She wasn't sure she wanted to see who the press was choosing for him.
Or would a press release have been sent out already? Did she have to be with Frederick when the leadership was informed? Surely not.
There were fans outside the entrance to the hotel as there had been every other day. She smiled at them through the windshield and knew her photo had been taken. Would word get out that she had palace security with her?
Once in a secure area of the parking structure, she was asked to get into the back seat of a bright blue extended cab pickup truck and given a ball cap to put on. Rather than sitting normally, she had to lean over and cover herself with a blanket. These windows were also tinted but not to the same extent as the- ones in the SUV.
After several turns, she was given the all-clear.
The drive back to the palace took them a route she hadn't driven before, but it soon became apparent why. There was a ramp of sorts that led to a roll top door big enough for reasonably sized delivery trucks to enter through. Signage told delivery drivers what they needed to do to gain entrance. They stopped at the checkpoint at the top of the ramp but only long enough for the gate to raise. Something must have identified them as an official vehicle that didn't need to be checked.
Were these things that she would have to think about constantly from now on? Or would it become such a routine part of her life that she wouldn't notice but would trust the members of security around her to keep her protected?
Once inside the underground structure, she was driven past what looked like loading docks - for the kitchens maybe? - and to a section that was secured by another guardhouse and gate. That area held a number of vehicles that appeared to be those used forofficial business. Dark SUVs and sedans outnumbered any other kind of vehicle by a significant amount.
The truck drove to what appeared to be a valet stand, except there were no valets to be seen. The security officer in the passenger seat was out of the vehicle before they came to a complete stop. He opened her door and held out his hand to assist her as she exited the auto.
"Right this way, ma'am." He indicated that she should walk in front of him through the door next to the valet stand.
Inside, George waited. "Thank you." He tipped his head toward Elise, though he also bent at the waist, more than he had earlier in the day. "Ma'am."
She didn't quite know what to say so she gave him a nice smile and nod. George didn't speak any more than necessary as they traversed through corridors that would never be on any kind of a school visit. She suspected there were cameras watching them, but she didn't see them. They also didn't pass any other members of the staff. Had everyone been told to avoid the area for the time being or was the area so secure that very few people used the corridors in the first place?
In a few moments, they emerged into an office, though she couldn't tell whose it might be.
George opened another door. "The king is waiting for you, ma'am."
"Thank you, George." The door let her into the king's office. She thought it was the same one George had used earlier in the day, but she couldn't be certain. Surely an office the size of her first apartment had more than two doors.
Frederick sat in his chair with his desk phone held between one ear and his shoulder. She stayed back so she wouldn't accidentally stumble onto a state secret or two.
He swiveled in his chair and smiled when he saw her. Motioning for her to come over with his free hand, he toldwhoever was on the other end that his time was up, and they would need to finish the conversation later.
As soon as he hung up the phone, he stood and walked toward her, meeting a few feet from his desk.
She slipped her hands into his outstretched ones as he leaned in to kiss her cheek.
"Welcome home, Queen Elise. I'm very glad you're here."
7
This meeting would be happening far later than any of them would have preferred, but Frederick had refused to tell the leaders from Parliament and the Council why it would be held after supper.
He couldn’t tell them it was because the new queen wouldn't be back from work until then.
He could feel the tension radiating off Elise as they waited for the members of leadership to enter. No aides were allowed to come with them, something sure to be an irritant to at least a couple of them.
