Epilogue
Queen Maria scrawled her signature upon a state document with her ink pen and handed it off to her secretaries to set with powder and be filed with the other outgoing documents of the day. She paused a moment before reading her next correspondence to take a sip of tea.
A knock at her office door was a welcome distraction.
“Ja, Aleks,” she called.
“Pardon the interruption, your majesty,” Aleks said, bustling in and brandishing a letter on a silver tray. “It is from Istanbul.”
“Ah!” Maria set down her cup and held out her hand eagerly. “Thank you, Aleks.”
He offered her the letter, bowing as she took it. Maria glanced at her secretaries. “A short break,” she said. “See those documents are sent.”
“Yes, your majesty.”
They all bowed and withdrew from the room to give her some privacy.
Maria broke the seal neatly and opened her letter to read. She recognised Francis’s handwriting straight away and smiled warmly as she read.
To her Serene Royal Highness, Queen Maria Sachs-Stormburg
Dearest Granny,
I wanted to write to you right away in order to assure you that I have arrived safely in Istanbul, happily received by King Omar (I call him Hasim) and am in the process of being absolutely spoiled rotten.
So fear not! All is well. This wonderful man has built me a pavilion in the short time I was away, on the lawn of the famous cat palace. It is quite remarkable.
I also wanted to tell you that I had tea with the new ambassador you sent over, and Gustav is helping the fellow settle in.
I will write more in due course, and send gifts. I have commissioned a fabulous portrait painter, who has started painting a new miniature of yours truly. I will send it to you so you have an updated version of me to look at, in case you ever miss seeing my face.
Hasim wants me to extend an invitation for you to visit us, should you wish to. Please know you would be most welcome. (But do not bring any dogs with you.)
I think that’s all for now. I must finish this swiftly so my letter may catch the ship that is leaving tonight. Please write to me! I promise I will write to you. I miss you already and thank you profusely for setting all of this in motion. I am sure I will be very happy here.
Your adoring grandson,
Francis
THE END