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“No buts about it. Sigurd comes from a long line of Haarts, and if I’m being honest, he embodies everything about our proud heritage. Before the Normans, Saxons, the Visigoths, and everyone else came over and changed everything. Look at him. He looks born to rule. So much so that he may just save the royal family from becoming a complete and utter laughingstock.”
My hackles go up.
“Respectfully, Your Majesty, that is the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard.”
To my surprise, she doesn’t react other than to give me a bemused, haughty expression. So, I continue. “Appearances have nothing to do with being a good king or queen. Just because he has the right look doesn’t mean anything.”
The queen laughs. “Oh dear. You have a lot to learn. When it comes to the royal family? Appearances areeverything.”
I’ve had enough of my future mother-in-law, and pregnancy hormones are pushing me closer and closer to saying something I’ll regret.
So, I’m relieved that Uther drove in a separate vehicle. Flora, Sigurd, and I pile into the back of a Land Rover driven by Uther’s second-in-command.
Flora and Sigurd, meanwhile, have been discussing plans.
Sigurd reaches over and places a gentle hand on my belly. He’s been rubbing it frequently lately, enjoying the kicks and movements.
Together with Flora, we discuss the future.
“Sister, if you do not want to rule as queen, I’ll accept that role. We’ll be married as soon as possible before the baby is born. As long as it’s alright with Stasi.”
I smile at my future husband and see what the queen sees. He is magnificent, both inside and out. He’d make an excellent king. I don’t know the first thing about being a queen, but I’m willing to try my best as long as Sigurd is by my side.
“It’s more than alright. It’ll be brilliant.”
Sigurd plants a rough kiss that borders on not-safe-for-siblings-to-witness.
When Flora clears her throat, Sig pulls away from me grudgingly, still cupping my jaw.
“I love you, Anastasia.”
“I love you, too.”
Flora chirps. “I would say get a room, but this moment is too romantic!”
Sigurd clears his throat and lets go of my jaw.
There are still many unanswered questions on my part.
“How did Uther find us, anyway?” I ask. “Did they ping Sigurd’s phone?”
Flora shakes her head. “That’s what I was trying to call to warn him about. They finally decided to follow the money. Did you know that the high minister of justice can access anyone’s digital bank drafts if the palace asks for it?”
“I do now,” Sigurd growls.
“I’m sneaky, and I’ve been spying on Uther for months. Not for anything nefarious, mind you. I’ve been trying to get information on him for Sable. Purely a one-sided infatuation-ship, poor dear,” Flora says.
She goes on after Sigurd pinches the bridge of his nose. “So, here’s the tea on how they found you,” Flora continues. “You removed exactly seven hundred and fifty thousand eight hundred and twenty Euros on September 18 from your accounts, and exactly that amount was funneled into Stasi’s account over eight months. And when they saw that Stasi was also the renter, they knew they had you. I guess my big brother’s been learning how to use technology.”
Wait, what?
“Sigurd, you put how much into my account?” I ask.
He smoothes a lock of hair behind my ear. “Do you not check your checking account? I thought you knew,” he says, gently teasing. “You certainly love to keep up with royal news, but you don’t watch your bank account?”
“I knew you moved money, but I thought you were just reimbursing me grocery money and helping pay the rental fees!” I shout.
“Why are you mad?” Sigurd looks genuinely confused as to why I’m yelling.
