Page 57 of Royal Reluctance

“Better not to have helped save Canada from Germany invading?” Hettie asks with a frown.

“Better not to have asked for a country in return.”

“I’m not sure if anyone else would think that. You look like him, you know. Different hair, but the eyes are the same.”

“He was a soldier. A warrior.”

“And you’re not?”

“I’ve never fought for anything in my life,” I admit with a sinking of my shoulders. “Including you.”

“No. You didn’t.” Her voice is flat but not accusing.

I hate that she thinks that, but I deserve it. “How do you think it went with Dad?” I change the subject.

“He loves her.” Hettie’s expression softens like it does whenever she mentions Tema.

“I don’t think it’s that hard.”

“No. She’s amazing,” Hettie says with a mother’s pride.

“Yeah. Will you go for a walk with me?” I ask. “Outside?”

She nods, the softness changing to wariness. “I need to get my coat.”

“The one you have isn’t warm enough. You can use some of Lyra’s things.”

She follows me down to the closet on the main floor where we keep our ski and snowmobile gear, and I find her a jacket and boots. They’re a little big but much warmer than what she brought with her.

We leave through the side door. Even in March, the snow is piled in drifts but at least the paths are clear. “Odin told me a funny story of when Camille first came here,” I say as we walk around to the back of the castle.” Apparently, he found her outside whipping snowballs at this group at the gate. You remember the Odinites? The group that wanted Kalle to abdicate so Odin could be king?”

Hettie nods. “They must have been devastated when it was Odin who stepped down.”

“I don’t think anyone from the castle really cares what they think,” I say drily.

“That’s not very royal of you,” Hettie teases.

“Maybe not, but they riled up the people, and Kalle couldn’t have appreciated it. Although he wasn’t really into the king stuffuntil a few months ago,” I muse, leading Hettie to the back garden. It’s still covered in snow and no one has bothered to shovel the paths out here since it snowed last night, but I know the layout.

This is one of my favourite areas—how the gardens and lush green lawns disappear into the forest on one side and up to the cliff edge on the other.

I feel like I’m on top of the world out here. The only place better is on the battlements, looking out to the ocean. It’s quiet and cold up there, but it’s a great place to think when I can’t chop something.

“Did it bother Kalle?” Hettie wants to know.

“I never asked him. Probably should have. Camille was upset enough for everyone. They insulted her—and her dog, which is the very worst thing you can do to Camille. Odin said she’s got a wicked throw.”

Hettie laughs. “I think I’d like Camille.”

“I think you would, too. It’s too bad she didn’t come with Odin.”

“I can’t believe he’s married. And Kalle will be this summer. Any news about Gunnar?”

“Haven’t heard anything. Stella will make him wait, make him grow up a bit.” Talking about my brothers being married is strange like—

It shouldn’t feel so strange, sinceI’mmarried too.

For now.

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