“Thanks to my aunt, I was able to cover our expenses, but it was a pretty frugal trip. We were young and carefree. It was fun. And you know how pretty your mom was—kinda like you, Addie. In a blue-eyed and blond way. She was a real head-turner back then. She even got mistaken for Sharon Stone and—”
“Yeah, okay,” Adelaide interrupted, “but this Maximillian guy? How did you meet him?”
“We met him in Zurich. Your mom caught his eye, and he invited us out. He spoke great English and insisted on taking us to dinner in this swanky restaurant. The best meal we had in Europe. Heck, it was the best meal we’d had anywhere. Max was obviously very wealthy.
“Our trip was almost over, but your mom still wanted to see Vienna. I said no way. We were short on funds at that point, and our train passes were almost expired. But Max offered to drive us to his family’s villa just outside Vienna. I thought it was a bad idea, but your mom insisted we go. I won’t deny it was pretty fun. LikeLifestyles of the Rich and Famous. But when it was time to go, your mom dragged her heels. Max asked her to stay, and she and I had this huge fight. I was furious, so I just left her there in Vienna.”
“Oh.” Adelaide’s head was spinning. “What happened after that?”
“I honestly don’t know what happened with your mom. I was so angry. I got home in time for fall classes and pretty much wrote her off. Later I heard that she came home, but she didn’t return to school and we weren’t exactly on speaking terms.”
“But you patched it up?”
“When I found out she was pregnant, I realized she needed a friend more than ever, so I stepped in. Your mom moved in with my mom until the baby came, but she refused to speak about the circumstances. And we never pushed her. I was there at your birth. After that, my mom babysat you while your mom finished her LPN degree. Not the RPN like she’d originally planned, but at least she could support you two after that.”
“Yeah.” Adelaide knew how much they’d scrimped to get by. Clipping coupons, riding the transit, shopping at thrift stores.
“I was always surprised she never married.”
“She had plenty of opportunities.” Adelaide cringed at the memory of some of the guys who’d pursued her mom. As an angst-ridden teenager, Adelaide had even accused her mother of being a “jerk magnet” more than once.
“I guess that’s about all I know, Addie.”
“But you haven’t told me everything.” Adelaide took in a steadying breath. “Did you think Max was my father?”
“I’ll admit I had my suspicions. But your mom refused to talk about it.Ever.”
“Right. Same here. She always got mad if I brought up the paternity subject. She told me not to ask. I used to imagine my dad as a lowlife ... like a meth addict or a drug dealer or maybe someone who was doing time as a serial killer.”
“Oh, that’s too bad. I never knew that, honey. I’m so sorry.”
“Thanks, Lela.” Adelaide took a deep breath, then asked the question that had been rumbling around in her head. “So, this letter—you think it’s authentic?”
“Sounds like it, Addie. But for clarity, you are saying that Max is a king?”
“That’s what this letter says. He’s the king of the Principality of Montovia.” Adelaide stared at the page in her hand. “I was almost certain it was a scam at first.”
“I never dreamt Max was royalty, but he definitely came from money. He never mentioned royalty or Montovia. Where is that, anyway?”
“It’s a tiny country wedged between Austria and Hungary. And you said his family had property in Vienna.” She peered down at the still-open atlas. “That’s pretty close to Montovia.”
“So it sort of makes sense. But do your own research just to be sure.”
“Yeah, I’ll do an online search.”
“May I ask who wrote the letter?”
Adelaide examined the signature. “It’s signed by Albert J. Kovacs, prime minister to the Principality of Montovia.”
“Certainly sounds official.”
“Yeah. There’s even an email address to reply to.” Adelaide sunk into her chair. “To be honest, I’m sort of in shock. It’s a lot to take in.”
Maya, still hovering and listening, placed a comforting hand on Adelaide’s shoulder.
“I can imagine.” Lela released a loud sigh. “So, what are you going to do about it?”
Adelaide nearly dropped her phone. “Do?”
