“Ja, ja. The worst was isolation. Very lonely. Und no windows, no clocks. I know not how many days pass. It was like years. Only eight weeks, ja. For me, a lifetime.”
“I can’t even imagine.”
“Ja, it was bad. But also gut.”
“Good?”Had she misheard him?
“Time. Time was all I had. Time to think. Time to remember my parents. Time to think of my brother. Good King Max.” His eyes got misty. “I am so sorry he is gone. So much have I missed.”
“He was a very good man.”
“Ja. Und a very good king.”
“He was so worried for you. I think he believed you were dead. That was the only explanation we had for your absence.”
“Und now he is dead. I miss him.” He touched his chest. “Inside.”
“You say he was a very good king, Prince Farcus, and I agree with you. Even though I didn’t know my father that long, I know how much he loved his country and his people.”
“Ja, that is for certain.” Farcus nodded.
“How about you? Do you feel the same way?”
“Do you know meaning of my name? Farcus?”
She shook her head.
“It is Hungarian. From my mutter’s ancestor. Farcus means wolf.”
“Wolf?”
“Ja. Some think wolf is bad—the wolf is a thief und evil. Others think the wolf strong und brave und loyal.”
“What do you think? What kind of wolf are you?”
He looked directly into her eyes. “If you ask me before, I would not know. I would give no good answer.”
“But now?” she pressed.
“I am strong und brave wolf. And loyal.”
“And is that how you would act as king?” she asked. “Strong and brave and loyal?”
“Ja. I would be strong und brave und loyal. I love Montovia. I love the people.” He nodded vigorously, then smiled. “But I think I needed to be locked up to know this.”
She smiled back at him. “And you really do want to be king?”
“Ja.” His smile faded. “Und you will not be sad, Queen Adelaide? You must give up the crown? For me?”
“I am glad to give it up.” And for the most part she was glad, but a small part of her felt sad too. She had wanted to serve the people of Montovia. But she’d never really gotten the chance. It had seemed more like they’d been serving her. Always giving her flowers and the seat of honor, serving her tea, performing for her, treating her like a celebrity. That hadn’t been what she’d expected or wanted. But maybe she’d just gotten it all wrong. Or maybe she had simply been a placeholder.
CHAPTER
Seventeen
Somehow word leaked out that Prince Farcus had returned and, rather than let the press run wild with false accounts or premature presumptions, Adelaide called a royal press conference for the following afternoon. More than anything she wanted this to be a smooth transition ... for everyone. The prime ministers had recommended wrapping it all up before Christmas. So, standing at the foot of the palace stairs, Queen Adelaide prepared to make the official announcement.
“I am greatly relieved to tell you my uncle, Prince Farcus, is alive and well and ready to take the throne.” She waited for the reporters to react, holding her head high as several cameras recorded her. “I have only been your temporary queen,” she continued, “and I have been honored to represent my father in my efforts to serve Montovia, even for such a short reign. Now I will gladly pass the crown on to my uncle. I am proud to stand by his side in this transition. The ceremony is scheduled for four o’clock on Christmas Eve. Following the coronation will be a festive celebration right here in the palace. It will be a happy day for everyone.”
