“Everything is well. The winds have tampered with the Internet out here, but I’m glad we were able to get it running.”
“Me, as well. I’ve been antsy to meet Lilija.”
I freeze.
The sound of my name, said just the way my mom used to say it... it feels like a spiral of shock hits me all at once, straight in the chest, squeezing my heart until I feel as though I can’t breathe.
“Is she there?” he asks.
“Yes,” Keller says as he sets the computer down on the coffee table, pulling me into the frame.
When my eyes land on the screen, I can immediately see familiarity in his features. Although more masculine than my mother, they share the same eyes.
“My dear,” he says as he folds his hands together. “Lilija, you—” He chokes up. “You look just like Margret.”
Nerves bend my words as I try to formulate sentences. “He-hello, Your, uh, Your King Majesty.”
He softly smiles at me. “Please, Lilija, call me Theo. I assume it’s too early to offer the title of Afi just yet.”
I wet my lips as I attempt to get comfortable, not sure it’s going to be possible because this is... this is mind-blowing.
Throat tight, I say, “Hi, Theo.”
“Hi, Lilija. Tell me, how are you liking Torskethorpe so far?”
“Well, it’s colder than I expected,” I say.
He chuckles and then coughs, a deep, almost scary cough. He holds his fist up to his mouth and says, “Excuse me. Yes, I’m sure it’s colder than you were thinking it would be. High fifties is a nice summer day for us, but probably a chilly day for you.”
“Just a little,” I answer nervously. “I’m sorry, this is all kind of strange to me. I didn’t think my mom had family, let alone... royal family. It feels all very unbelievable.”
“Yes, I can see how that might be hard to believe, but trust me, my dear—” He coughs heavily. “It is quite true.”
My head tilted to the side, I ask, “Are you... are you sick?”
I can see his eyes flit to someone else in the room before he focuses back on the screen.
“Well, I guess we should be honest with you now, shouldn’t we?” He clears his throat. “I trust Keller can explain more once I get off this call, but the reason we brought you out here is that you, Lilija, are next in line for the throne.”
What?
I glance at Keller, who nods, and then I look back at the computer, a laugh bubbling out of me. “Oh, is that right?” I cross one leg over the other. “So, what am I? Tenth? Twelfth in line?”
“First,” he answers, causing my jaw to hit the ground.
“First?” I blink a few times. “First, as in...”
“As in, if I pass away, and your uncle Sveinn doesn’t return to Torskethorpe, which we’re sure he won’t, you are the rightful owner of the crown.”
I can’t help it, I let out the loudest guffaw ever guffawed. It blows back Keller’s blond hair, whipping it over his forehead. It moves a vase of fake flowers, disrupting the well-thought-out, put-together arrangement. The guffaw is so obnoxious that it actually shakes the sheer rubble we’re sitting on.
“This is a good one.” I clap. “Like, really good, you guys. Who put you up to this? Was it Timmy Tuna? I mean, I know I pranked him last month by tying his shoelaces together while he was napping and then scaring him with a blowhorn, but come on, this... this is next-level.” I lean closer to the computer. “Is that a green screen behind you? I can’t tell. Are you all hired actors? How much was the flight up here? I know Timmy is from a rich family, you know, tuna really does sell, but I didn’t think he would do something this crazy. And he even created the Internet searches, too? This is crazy. I mean, kind of cruel to trick me with a family I always wanted, but I have to applaud the commitment.”
“Lilija—”
“And that name, so odd that you’re calling me by my real name. No one ever called me that besides my mother. I don’t think Timmy even knows that...”
“This isn’t a prank, this is real and I don’t have much time to talk, but you are at Harrogate for a reason. Keller can explain the rest.” He coughs a few times, his eyes squeezing shut. “But, please, listen to him.” Growing incredibly serious, he says, “Keller will be handing you a letter, so please read it, Lilija. You’re my only hope.”
