Adelaide considered her words. Was she ready to admit to anyone, even her best friend, she had strong feelings for him? “Well, Anton has been pretty amazing.”
“Aha, so you are crushing?”
“I don’t know. Too much has been going on. It’s hard to sort it all out.”
“Okay, then. Back to Montovia. What are your feelings toward that teeny tiny country that’s just a speck on the map?”
“Well, it seems bigger once you’re here,” she said in defense. “And to be honest, I really like Montovia. I mean, I actually pretty much love it. It’s not perfect, but it’s just really quaint and sweet.”
“Could you live there?”
She carefully considered this. “I think maybe I could . . . under the right circumstances.”
“As the queen?”
Adelaide let out a loud sigh. “I just don’t see myself as queen material, Maya. I’m not a ruler.”
“But you were studying law, and you’re very intelligent. As your best friend I know you’re highly opinionated and extremely strong-willed. You never let anyone walk over you. And yet you’re kindhearted—most of the time. If you ask me, those all seem like good qualities for a ruler.”
“Thanks. That’s sweet of you to say that.”
“Well, it’s all true, Queen Adelaide.” Maya laughed. “I just cannot imagine you strutting around in a long purple robe with a crown on your head. Would people have to bow down and call you ‘your majesty’?”
“Very funny. For your information it doesn’t work that way. I never saw my father in a robe or a crown. In fact, he was very practical and down-to-earth. The people called him King Max, and those close to him just called him Max.” She felt a wave of sentiment wash over her. “He was a good guy, Maya.”
“Yeah, I get that. And he wanted you to follow in his footsteps.”
“Yes . . . that’s the hard part. I mean, I do want to honor my father. According to Albert—he’s been my main advisor—it’s important to Montovia’s stability that someone take the throne as soon as possible. And since I’m King Max’s daughter—”
“I think you want to do this,” Maya cut her off.
“I guess I just feel sort of responsible, you know? Like this sweet country needs me.”
“Does that feel good? Being needed like that?”
Adelaide considered this. “You know, it sort of does.”
“For the record, I think you’d make a good queen, Addie.”
“Thanks.”
“So, when do I get to come visit?” Maya asked eagerly.
“Come for Christmas,” Adelaide urged. “Maybe I can pay your way. I could tell them I need you here as an advisor or a counselor.”
“Seriously? My passport is good.”
“I’ll ask and get back to you.”
“So, you really plan to do it? You’ll let them crown you queen?”
“I don’t know. I promised to prayerfully consider it. That’s what I’ll be doing tonight. Would you keep me in your prayers too?”
“Absolutely. Keep me in the loop. Let me know what you decide and when I can come visit.”
Adelaide promised to do that. As soon as she hung up the phone, she actually got down on her knees and begged God to show her his will. God’s plan in God’s time.
After a restless night of weighing the pros and cons of this life-changing decision, she knew what she needed to do. It wouldn’t be easy, but she would take the throne for her father and the country he loved. She would accept the crown and serve Montovia. She believed it was greater to serve than to be served. And if she found happiness—maybe even love—in the process, it would all be worth it. She met with Albert and the royal councilors to let them know that if they all agreed it was the best plan, she was ready to serve Montovia as queen. They all thanked and congratulated her, and the wheels were set in motion to hold the king’s funeral service Sunday morning and a solemn coronation the same afternoon. Parliament would be notified, and press releases would be sent out immediately.
After the deputy ministers left, Albert remained behind to update her on Johanna. She noticed he no longer referred to her as Queen Johanna. “We are preparing a deal for her and Georg,” he said. “Whether or not she makes a full confession, the police chief believes there is enough evidence to persuade her that her role in the royal family is terminated.”
“What is the evidence?” she asked, taking on the role of defense attorney. Albert listed off the various items in the case they were building against Johanna. It sounded reasonable . . . and sad.
“Georg even helped by admitting his mother has been having an affair with Steffen for several years.”
“My poor father.” She shook her head. “I wonder if he knew.”
“It would explain the coolness in their relationship.” Albert sighed. “Very unfortunate.”
“Although I have no warm feelings toward Johanna, I would want her to be dealt with fairly.”
“We plan to offer her and her son permanent exile from Montovia.”
“Will she accept it?”
“According to Montovian law, we could imprison her . . . or worse.” He shook his head grimly. “I think she will accept our terms.”
“Well, please keep me apprised,” she told him.
He smiled. “You already sound like a queen.”
“I hope so. I really don’t know how this will go, but I want my father to be proud of me. I’m doing this for him.” She held her chin higher. “And for Montovia. I have really grown to love this country. I want to serve it the best I can.”
“It will do the people good to know this. A country can suffer during a shift of power.”
“I wondered about that. After all, some will see me as an outsider.”
“That’s true. But the majority of citizens loved their king. When they read his letter, which will be included in the press release, they will probably be relieved. Most of them, anyway.”
“I assume Johanna and Georg had some devoted followers too.”
He nodded. “You saw what happened at the Krampus party.”
She cringed at the memory.
“There will undoubtedly be some opposition to you. We will do our best to manage it.”
“Will the queen’s exile be public knowledge?”
“It will be handled most diplomatically.”
“Well, do please keep me informed, Albert.”
He tipped his head. “I will. You will have a busy day ahead of you. Your staff will be preparing for Sunday’s ceremonies, and you will have some advisors helping you to understand your role.”
She thanked him, then vaguely wondered how the queen of Montovia was supposed to navigate a romantic relationship. She knew the queen of England’s husband had been Prince Philip, but the queen was the true monarch. How would Anton Balazs feel about being called Prince Anton? Perhaps she was letting her imagination run away with her. Best to keep focused on the task at hand. Besides, she suspected, a monarch’s life was probably a bit of a lonely one.
CHAPTER