Chapter 14
fourteen
ASTRID
“Hello, darling!”
My sister’s voice finally rang through the airwaves.
“Hi, Alex,” I said.
“Did Odie and Ingy talk your ears off?”
“They did. I was afraid you’d never make it.
“I was feeding Linnea. Rick is putting her down now.”
It tore at my heartstrings. Linnea must be getting so big! It’d been several weeks since I held my niece.
“What are you getting up to in England?”
“I had my first week of classes,” I answered. “And my first week of teaching.”
“How is it?”
“My methods course is fun. I like my comparative politics seminar. I already know my subfield is going to stay there. But I had an international relations module, and I switched it out for political economy already because that was not my thing.”
“I have no idea what any of this means, but I am happy if you are happy. ”
“I’m okay. Still trying to make more friends, but I have one, and she’s amazing.”
“Oh, really?”
“Amara. But we’re close now—more than housemates. We go everywhere together. I have wanted this so much.”
“I know. I am jealous,” Alexandra admitted. “I am so happy you’ve found someone to talk to there. I was worried you might be isolated. So, the people are nice?”
“My dissertation advisor is. He’s like my supervisor. And I think I could be friends with some students on the course.”
“All good.”
“Unfortunately, my co-teacher is a massive dick who cannot bother to be kind! I get the feeling he thinks I am nothing but entitled.”
“Keep being yourself. Soon, he will see the confident, brave, and quick-tongued girl we all love and miss so much.”
Her voice brought me incredible comfort but struck me with deep homesickness. I teared up. I missed them so much. For most of my life, they were all I knew.
“I miss you, Alexandra. I miss Odette playing the piano at all hours and Ingy climbing onto my bed to moan about this or that—seemingly never to leave. And, hell, I miss Rick’s stupid dad jokes.”
My sister snickered. “They have only gotten worse. I miss you, too, Asti. But you’re doing this. Be strong.”
“Oh... okay.”
“So, happier moment…”
“You’re pregnant?”
“No!” Alexandra was very sharp.
Awkward. I’d hit a nerve.
“Oh,” I said. “No, what is happier news?”
“Neandia will host a state banquet at Buckingham Palace in two weeks, and you, my darling, are on the guest list. We talked about coming to London, but I wanted you to focus on school and didn’t need you to assume you would attend. However, Queen Natalie makes it clear she would like you to be there—no doubt to introduce you to some attractive young men.”
I tried not to gasp. There were many fit British princes in my age range. I might not die alone! I had no desire to marry into royalty, but I knew it made things easier if it worked. My sister’s marriage to Rick was originally one of convenience, but they fell madly in love before the wedding day. Rick adored Alexandra and would do anything for her. That was the Happily Ever After I wanted, even if I’d never admit I did. I was strong and independent but curled up with romance novels. I longed to meet Prince Charming someday.
“I will be there!”
“Good. You can come up and stay with us at the palace. I will tell her you will be glad to accept her invitation.”
“Yes, please!”
“Go buy a dress now!”
“I shall!”
After I hung up, I raced down the hall to Amara’s room to tell her the news. She was sprawled on the couch watching what I lovingly referred to as “Scandinavian Murder Porn“ with Ole. No one did murder like the Scandinavians. One of the weird parts of having a Scandinavian prince move into your house was this desire to watch Murder Porn of an evening. Rick gravitated towards it for comfort . Lundhavians had a very dark sense of humour. You usually found him on the couch, Alexandra’s feet in his lap every night. She’d be reading while he watched this stuff. I plopped on the sofa by Amara. This was helping my homesickness already.
“What is going on, darling?” Amara sensed I had something to say.
I answered excitedly, “I’m going to the Neandia State Banquet! Her Majesty requested my attendance!”
Amara squealed. Ole stared and told us to shut the fuck up in his mother tongue.
“I’m going! Mum is out of town, and Dad is taking me! We’ll have so much fun! Do you have a dress?”
“No. Do you? ”
“No! Sounds like an excuse to shop! What are you doing tomorrow?”
I sighed. “Model UN. I decided to become a graduate mentor. It’s stupid, but my grandmother never let me do extracurriculars. I always wanted to be a part of it. So, I’m helping out.”
“Aww, that’s cute.” Amara smiled. “You have anything on Monday?”
“I’m working on a short essay, but I could do that on the train,” I said.
“Brilliant. Monday, let’s go buy ridiculous dresses!”
We had a plan. Nothing could stop us, right?