“You mean I’ve taken you away from—”
“No, no. It’s okay.” Maya buttered her roll. “I told him where I was going and he was so interested, I promised to tell him all about it when I get home.”
“Well, thank you for coming. I was so lonely, and you’re the closest thing to family I have anymore.” Adelaide picked up her water goblet.
“What about your uncle? He’s family.”
“That’s true. But I barely know him.”
“Lina seems nice. Isn’t she sort of like family?”
“Sort of, but she was working as my assistant.”
“Okay, then, what about Anton?”
Adelaide smiled. “I haven’t had a real conversation with him since I was crowned.”
“Based on what you said he did at your press conference, I’ll bet that’s about to change.”
For the rest of the evening, it was just Adelaide and Maya, enjoying what felt like an old-time sleepover—just in a royal palace. It was well past midnight when they parted ways to goto bed. Adelaide had moved back to her previous suite, leaving the royal chambers to Farcus. Maya was happily occupying what had previously been Georg’s suite. The plan was to sleep in tomorrow, and then Adelaide would show Maya the village and do some last-minute Christmas shopping.
On the morning of Christmas Eve, Adelaide prepared herself for her last day as queen of Montovia. It started with a special Christmas church service. Accompanied by Lina and Maya, Adelaide was conservatively outfitted in her green velveteen dress and a single strand of pearls. This was topped with the Russian sable coat, and because there was still snow, she wore her tall black boots.
“You look so regal,” Maya said as they rode the short distance to the coronation in the limousine. “You sure you won’t miss all this?”
Adelaide shook her head. “I’m ready for freedom.”
“But being queen should feel like freedom.” Maya still didn’t get it. “You have everything you could possibly want. Clothes, cars, furs, jewels, the palace, and—”
“They’re not really mine,” Adelaide tried to explain again. “They belong to the royal family. I’m just temporarily using them to represent the kingdom.” She glanced to Lina. “Isn’t that right?”
Lina smiled. “For such a short reign, you do seem to understand. Perhaps better than most royals.”
“Meaning royals are entitled?” Maya questioned
“I suppose those who grow up with privileges do tend to be entitled,” Lina responded.
“So, wouldn’t that describe Prince Farcus?” Maya challenged them. “He grew up as a prince.”
“Yes, but his situation was a little different.” Adelaide pulledthe sable coat more snugly around her neck. “Prince Farcus was so much younger than my father, he didn’t get much of the limelight. Most of it was focused on his brother. I think my uncle thought of himself as sort of the black sheep.” She looked to Lina. “Is that how you perceived him?”
“Maybe. I know he wasn’t very popular with the people.” Lina’s expression was thoughtful. “I think perhaps he was misunderstood.”
“Do you know him well?” Maya pointed to Lina.
“Well enough.” Lina tugged on one of her leather gloves.
“Why do you think he never married?” Maya persisted. “Isn’t he in his forties?”
“He’s forty-five,” Lina said. “And he’s had a number of women in his life, but for some reason he’s never settled down.”
“A confirmed bachelor?” Maya patted a stray strand of hair back into place.
“I hope not.” Adelaide felt a little uneasy about Maya’s pushy questioning, but understood her curiosity. “I think a king or a queen needs a partner. It can be pretty lonely.”
Maya nudged Lina with her elbow. “What about her?”
“Maya!” Adelaide couldn’t help but laugh, but she tossed her friend a warning look. “I don’t think Lina needs a matchmaker.”
