“You sure know your way around the palace,” she said as she gazed out over the mist-draped hills.
“I’ve been coming here with my uncle since I was a boy. When left to my own devices, I would slip away and explore to my heart’s content.”
“What a fun way to grow up.” She felt a surprising rush of envy.
“No complaints.” He peered curiously at her. “What was your childhood like?”
She had no desire to speak about her lackluster and somewhat underprivileged childhood. At least, underprivileged by palace standards. Not because she was ashamed, but out of respect for her mother. Especially today. “My childhood was fine. Very different from this. But just fine.” She didn’t mean to sound snippy, but she noticed his eyes flicker with concern.
Without missing a beat, he wisely changed the topic. “I’m impressed by your interest in Montovian law.”
“Well, I am studying law in the States.” She tried to brighten her tone. “And I do love to learn. I’m honored the king and your uncle are willing to meet with me.”
He took a swig from his coffee mug. “I’m honored too. They both have a wealth of information. My degree was political science, but the best education is from real life.” His phone alarm dinged. “Time to go meet them.”
On their way to the king’s chambers, Adelaide noticed Prince Georg rounding a corner with a large box in his hands. She tried to continue unnoticed, but it was too late.
“There you are.” Prince Georg hurried to catch them. “My favorite princess. Good morning.”
She smiled politely despite the urge to run in the opposite direction. “Getting ready to help with decorations? That seems like a fun job.”
“It would be more fun if you helped.” He beamed at her.
“Sorry. We have a meeting.” She nodded to Anton.
“And we don’t want to be late.” Anton nudged her along.
“I will be in the main hall,” Georg called after them. “Come join me when your meeting is done, Princess Adelaide.”
“Later,” she called back as Anton escorted her down another hallway.
“He certainly is persistent,” Anton said when they were out of earshot.
“So it seems.”
The king grew weary after only an hour of discussing Montovian law, so he excused himself for a little rest, but not before he invited Adelaide to meet up with him for lunch at one.
“He seems so frail,” Adelaide said after Herr Schneider wheeled the king away.
“He is more energetic now that you are here,” Albert told her.
Adelaide cringed to imagine how worn out he must’ve been—maybe he still was but was trying to conceal it. “Has the king had the best medical help available? I’m no expert, but I know cancer research and new procedures are constantly improving. Does he have access to the most modern—”
“Our hospital and medical staff are quite modern,” Albert said, sounding defensive.
Adelaide backpedaled. “I didn’t mean to suggest they weren’t.”
“A renowned Swiss oncologist has been treating him,” Anton said.
“Right.” She nodded glumly. “I guess—I just wish . . . I mean, I barely know him. I’d hate to lose him.”
Albert let out a long sigh. “Unfortunately, his liver trouble is congenital. It is the same thing his father suffered with at about the king’s age. The prognosis is not good. To be honest, I worried he would be gone before your arrival. I do not like to bear bad news, but the oncologist told me only yesterday that he doubts the king will last until Christmas.”
She felt a lump in her throat. “I understand.”
“Perhaps we’ve covered enough law for the first day.” Albert slid a book across the table to her. “Much of what we discussed this morning is in this book. Perhaps you would like to take it with you. Our laws are not complicated, but they are different from the United States.”
“Yes. Thank you.” She felt overwhelmed as she picked up the book. Not about Montovian law but, instead, the impending loss of the father she had barely started to know. “If you will, please excuse me.”
The men stood and Albert rested a comforting hand on her shoulder. “I know this is hard on you, Adelaide. A lot to take in.”
She just nodded.
Albert tipped his head to his nephew. “Anton has volunteered to be at your disposal for the duration of your visit.” His countenance brightened slightly. “I hope it will be a lengthy one.”
She thanked him, then excused herself again, barely making it out of the meeting room before tears came tumbling down. Unaccustomed to so much emotion, and embarrassed by it, she hurried to her suite. She could blame her feelings on tiredness or her mother’s anniversary, but she knew this was about the king—the father she would never get the chance to fully know. She allowed herself a brief cry, then splashed cold water on her face and took the book Albert had given her to the cozy chair by the window. Studying was something she was good at, something she could control.
For the next hour, determined to prove herself as an intelligent, worthy daughter, she pored over the lawbook until it was time to join the king for lunch. As she walked to the dining area, she prepared herself for another awkward encounter with the queen and prince but was relieved to discover this meal was just her and the king.
The two visited comfortably as they ate. She asked lots of questions about the kingdom and about some of the things she’d read. He asked about her life, her dreams, and her impressions of the kingdom. Two hours passed quickly, and soon Herr Schneider, as well as the king’s nurse, insisted King Max needed to rest. Although Adelaide was reluctant to part ways, she didn’t want to overtax the king.
“You will come for dinner again?” he asked as she prepared to go. “At six o’clock?”
Although she didn’t relish another dinner like last night, for the king’s sake, she agreed. On her way to her suite, she was literally cornered by Prince Georg. “Aha, I have been looking for you,” he said. “I need your help with something.”
She pointed to herself. “My help?”
“Yes. I need a female opinion on a decoration decision, and my mother is away until dinnertime.”
She shrugged. “Okay. What can I help you with?”
“Come to the first floor with me.” He led her to the elevator, chattering in a friendly manner all the way down. First, he showed her what had already been done in the entry hall. Strings of white lights and garlands with golden ribbons hung from every available surface. Fancy metallic ornaments adorned everything, looking expensive and elaborate and, in her opinion, a bit over the top. But then, she reminded herself, this was a palace.
She took a second to choose her words wisely. “It’s very nice.”
“Yes, I think so too.”
She pointed to the enormous evergreen tree that had been set in place. Although completely bare, it was majestic just the same. “What a handsome tree.”
“Yes, that is why I wanted your opinion. Mother got new gold and silver ornaments from a catalog last summer. They were very expensive and, as you observed in the entry hall, quite impressive, but there is disagreement over what to use.”