Sixteen
Adelaide didn’t think it was her imagination that her relationship with Anton had seemed to change overnight. Instead of feeling like her friend, he felt more like a royal advisor on assignment. The warmth she’d enjoyed before had been replaced with an efficient businesslike attitude. Certainly, Anton was helpful, but he was clearly just doing his job. And by the end of the next day, he’d convinced her that her new personal assistant, a tall blond woman named Lina, would take over where he left off.
Adelaide had no complaints about her new assistant. Lina spoke perfect English and was well educated, and as the daughter of a deputy minister, she was devoted to her homeland. Lina had been handling PR for the palace and Parliament for the last ten years. She was dedicated to her career and now, it seemed, to Adelaide as well. A perfect choice for the queen’s personal assistant. But was that any excuse for the coolness Adelaide now received from Anton?
And so, as Anton was telling Adelaide good night on the eve of her father’s funeral and her coronation, she decided to cut to the chase and question him. “I feel like you’re stepping away from your friendship with me,” she said as they lingered in the doorway of the royal family’s living quarters. “Is that right?”
His eyes looked cloudy, but he nodded. “As always, you are perceptive.”
She reached for his hand. “But you’ve been such a good friend, Anton. I hate to think I’m losing you.”
He squeezed her hand, then released it. “It’s not proper for me to remain a close friend, Adelaide. Tomorrow I will address you as queen. You have Lina to assist you with the things I once helped with. She is highly qualified and well connected to the palace staff.”
“I can see that. And I like her. But you have been my friend and confidante. I hate to lose that.”
He stood straighter. “I understand. But it’s unavoidable. My uncle has made it clear that I am to step back. Already there has been talk that I am overly involved with you. Besides that, I suspect I have neglected my own province responsibilities. Plus, with the Christmas holidays upon us”—he cleared his throat—“I need to spend more time with my family.”
His excuses had fallen flat on her ears until he mentioned his family. For some reason, that filled her with an unexpected and overwhelming loneliness. Where was her family? How would she spend her Christmas? She remembered the cheery holiday warmth at the Baumanns’ home. Would they consider hosting her during the holidays? Probably not. Now that she was about to become queen, everything changed. The lonely life of a monarch—it was beginning.
“Well, then, I thank you, Herr Balazs,” she said politely. “For all you have done since I arrived here. I will always appreciate your kindness and your help.” She held her head high, hoping he wouldn’t notice the glistening of tears in her eyes. “Gute nacht.” And then she closed the door.
The funeral for King Maximillian V was held in the cathedral and was well attended, with standing room only. Respectably dressed in a charcoal gray dress with a single string of pearls, Adelaide took her place in the front row with Lina on one side and Albert on the other. By now the exile of the queen and her son was fairly common knowledge in the kingdom. Rumors, not far from the truth, were circulating. And other than a few outspoken individuals, no one seemed overly concerned about the recent royal changes. Like Anton had told her, people moved on quickly.
Adelaide listened intently to the service. Although it was long, the words said were touching, and the tears shed seemed genuine. King Max had been a devoted ruler. He’d been well loved and would be dearly missed. Adelaide had big shoes to fill.
She knew the palace’s press releases about the new queen had gone out the night before. According to Albert, who joined her for a quiet luncheon and was now acting as her official advisor, there had been a few opponents, protesting Adelaide’s right to wear the crown.
“It’s not unexpected,” Albert explained.
“Is it because my parents weren’t married?”
He waved a hand. “The protestors may use that as an excuse, but it isn’t the first time this has happened in Montovia.”
She tilted her head to the side in confusion. “What do you mean?”
“Your great-grandfather was born under similar circumstances, and he ruled without objection.”
“I didn’t know that.”
“There’s no need to worry. We are dealing with it.”
“How?” she persisted.
“As you know, we published the king’s final letter. Also, we’ve released quotes from our lawbooks, stating succession rules, which are supported by Parliament. And we’ve reminded people about your great-grandfather.”
“You think that’s enough.”
He nodded firmly. “As King Max’s daughter, you are the legitimate heir, Adelaide.”
The word legitimate rang false in her ears, but she kept her thoughts to herself. “What about my father’s adoption of Prince Georg?”
“Georg doesn’t have the bloodlines that you have.”
“That’s true. But Johanna and Georg still have some citizen support. I suspect those are the ones who will cause trouble.”
“We are prepared to fully expose Johanna’s indiscretions if necessary. We prefer that she make a full public confession, but if she refuses, we will share a press release explaining why she and her son have no claim to the throne.”
“So, she’s still giving you the silent treatment?”
“She is a stubborn, prideful, and selfish woman.”
Adelaide just nodded. This was not news to her.
“So, are you ready for the coronation this afternoon?” he asked brightly.
“I’ll admit that my head is spinning some.”
“We regret that so much is thrust upon you so suddenly, but it is how things are done here. Do you have all you need for the ceremony? Are you fully prepared?”
“Lina has been an excellent coach. She has chosen my gowns and instructed me on every step, but I know she still wants to go over it with me again.”
“Lina is a treasure.”
“I agree.” Adelaide tried not to compare her new assistant to Anton. It wasn’t fair. Instead, she checked the clock. “In fact, I’m due to meet with her in ten minutes.”
“I will see you at the ceremony.” Albert clasped her hand. “Your father would be very proud of you, Princess Adelaide. I believe he will be watching today.” He glanced upward. “And cheering!”
“I hope so.” Adelaide attempted a smile to cover her nerves. Although she’d felt God’s peace in all this, she still had questions and concerns. But she reminded herself, God’s plan in God’s time. She could live only one day—perhaps only one moment—at a time.
Other than a motley handful of protestors outside of the cathedral, the coronation ceremony had started off smoothly. Adelaide peeked out the door of the side room where she and Lina waited. To her relief, there was only a small group in attendance. According to Lina, this was the acceptable expectation for a coronation held on the same day as a royal funeral. It was more respectful.
“It’s almost time.” Lina adjusted the sash of the simple white gown she’d chosen for Adelaide’s coronation. Adelaide had never been so meticulously dressed and vaguely wondered if this was how a bride felt before her wedding day . . . Not that she would ever know. What man in his right mind would want to marry a ruling queen? She doubted that many Prince Philips remained in the modern world.