Page 92 of The Dandelion Princess
“Sir,” he starts, clearing his throat.
“I thought you would be happy with me for once,” I say, “spending so much time with the VPs.”
He tips his tablet forward. “This isn’t strictly Han Heyden business, but—”
I take the tablet, and read the chyron scrolling along the bottom of the screen. “Breaking: Princess Freja Renounces Succession Role, Royal Family Shattered”.
I emit a low, explosive curse and pull up a video—a short interview of Freja and Oskar, sitting down with Sondmark’s most trusted news reader,NeerHjefdal.
Freja, wearing a sober blue dress, is blinking too much, but Oskar reaches over and takes her hand. She flashes him a smile and turns her gaze on the interviewer who asks, “Why have you chosen to halt the parliamentary process, ma’am?”
Her voice is steady. “Because no investigation will clear me of disregarding protocols established in the wake of the Marriages and Succession Act. I married, seeking neither the permission of my mother nor her government and, while such rules may seem outdated and strange to anyone outside the royal succession, my wedding was against the law and carries clear penalties.” Her expression is serene as she paints herself into the tightest corner. “Though I believe I chose the correct course of action, I also agree wholeheartedly with the prime minister. The law makes no allowances for the intensity of my feelings.”
Dominanstid, Freja.
NeerHjefdal leans back, his reassuring presence like that of a favorite uncle. “Are you asking that the Marriages and Succession Act be abolished? Is this not the logical conclusion of your refusal to bend to parliament? Do you suggest, ma’am, that having entered the modern age, the need to control governmental policy through strategic alliances has evaporated?”
Oskar is silent, but he clasps Freja’s hand. It’s strange. I’ve known her since she was born and she didn’t like to be touched, even in her pram.
“I make no such claims,” Freja says. “I have no wish to influence the Sondish legislative body. I have always felt that certain marks of antiquity allow us to understand our past.”
Deep grooves bracketNeerHjefdal’s mouth and he looks like he has a stomach complaint. “Do you propose, as some have suggested, annulling your marriage and going through the approval process? Starting at the beginning, as it were?”
When she turns her gaze to her husband, Freja glows. Unease ripples over my skin. A thermonuclear warhead glows in the moment it wipes the map clean.
“I wish the prime minister well in every good thing he hopes for Sondmark, but I cannot bend to this request. It’s much toolate for that,” she says, her smile tucking her cheek. “I have been in communication with the palace and have notified my family that I am surrendering my HRH title effective immediately, and will no longer be a working member of the royal family. When I am spoken of in the press, I wish to be known simply asVrouwVelasquez.”
Boom.
“This will come as a surprise to the country, ma’am,” the newsreader allows.
“You think?” I roar. “You think?”
NeerHjefdal turns to Oskar. “How can you allow such a sacrifice on your behalf? Would it not be better to allow the approval process to proceed? Your acceptance by parliament would signal a new Sondish approach to the royal family, one welcoming of diversity.”
Oskar lifts his brow. “My father-in-law is Pavian. Is he not welcome?”
Freja nods—her smile is more certain than reality.
StillNeerHjefdal presses. “NeerVelasquez, how can you allow it?”
Oskar doesn’t smile readily, but his features shift with subtle amusement as he glances at Freja. “Perhaps you do not know how formidable a princess of Sondmark can be.” A small silence follows and Oskar leans forward. “I will be guided by my wife. She has chosen to make this sacrifice, and my task, for as long as I draw breath, is to make her feel it’s been worth it.”
Oskar looks at Freja and she looks at him, gives him a quick nod, and turns toNeerHjefdal. “I would like to add another piece of news, if I may.” Freja clears her throat and I brace myself for more bombs. “We hope that each citizen of Sondmark will add their prayers to ours for the safe arrival of our little one. We’re expecting our first child.”
Dominanstid. I whisper the oath.
The interview fades to black and the emergency broadcast returns to a newsdesk. “Surprising news from the newly-mintedVrouwVelasquez…”
I shove the tablet into Werner’s hands and bolt from the room, taking the stairs three at a time. I call over and over again as I go.
“Pick up, pick up, pick up,” I say, pressing on the accelerator, and race out of my executive parking stall. I bypass the ornate main gates of the palace, already thick with news teams staking out the best shots, and choose another entrance.
“How are things?” I ask Thor, briefly lowering my window.
“Princesses causing all hell to break loose.” He lifts the gate with a grin. “It’s just another day at the Summer Palace.”
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