Chapter 21
They’d been traveling for almost three hours and had just crossed the border into Rotslavia, which looked similar to eastern Austria with its mountainous terrain, when Kat asked her father if he’d informed the queen of their plans.
“She knows what time we’ll arrive,” he said without looking up from his iPad.
“Does she know about Meri?” Mishka asked.
He cleared his throat and looked up. “Not yet.”
“Oh?” Kat frowned. “Did you plan to inform her?”
“I’m leaving that to you, Princess.” Spencer winked at his daughter. “After all, this is your plan. Yours and your brother’s.”
“Fine. I’ll go directly to her when we arrive.”
“Fine.” He looked back down at his iPad.
“How far is it?” Meredith asked.
“About ten more minutes until we reach the village,” Spencer reported.
“The village?”
“The palace is surrounded by the village of Rotgrad, established in 1503,” Kat explained.
“Population 2,188, give or take. It’s the largest town in Rotslavia.
” She pointed out the side window. “These agricultural properties are located outside of the village but provide food for Rotgrad shops as well as the palace.”
“Charming.”
“We strive for national self-sufficiency. Our goal is not to be dependent on neighboring countries. Particularly for oil, gas, or diesel. We have been transitioning to electric vehicles for the past decade.” Kat continued to spout information almost as if reading from a reference book.
Meredith appreciated it. She knew so little about this tiny nation.
“I’m impressed with how well you know your country,” Meredith said after she paused. “But I assume that’s necessary if you are to lead Rotslavia someday.”
“Now I have questions for you, Meri.” Kat looked intently at her. “I know you were a teacher. Can you please tell me more about your education, your experience, and why you are qualified to be our governess?”
Meredith blinked. “Yes, of course.”
“I will need this information for Grandmama.” Kat’s brow creased. “Because I know she will ask. And then, if she is convinced to consider this, she will want to speak directly to you.” She grimaced. “And you should be prepared.”
Spencer chuckled. “For the Spanish Inquisition.”
Meredith felt her mouth getting dry, but she did her best to present her résumé, possibly making it sound more illustrious than it was but nothing untrue.
Still, she wondered if it would be enough.
What kind of woman was this queen? What was Meredith letting herself in for?
And if it all fell apart, how hard was it to get out of this country?
At least she still had the plane ticket, train pass, and travel funds. That was reassuring.
The limousine slowed down as it came to the village, and eager to see more, she turned to peer out the window, pleased to see that it looked like an old-fashioned Alpine village with quaint little shops and cobblestone streets.
“It’s absolutely charming,” she murmured. “It looks delightful and sweet.”
“Looks can be deceiving,” Spencer said quietly.
“Papa!” Kat scolded. “Don’t speak ill of my homeland.”
“Sorry.” He grinned. “You know I love this place.”
“Then what did you mean?” Meredith asked him.
“It’s just that…well, locals don’t always welcome newcomers.
We are not exactly a tourist-friendly country—mostly because we get so few tourists and don’t encourage it.
And sometimes those that do come to visit are opportunistic, looking to capitalize on our sweet charm only to line their own pockets. ”
“The queen frowns on that,” Kat told her. “So we must be careful of outsiders.”
“And I am an outsider?” Meredith asked rhetorically.
“Not like that,” Kat said.
“You are our friend, Meri.” Mishka reached for her hand. “You’re not an outsider. And you’ll be our nanny, so—”
“Governess,” Kat interrupted. “Mrs. Bosko will be our nanny. Rather, she’ll be your nanny, Mishka. I do not need a nanny.”
“The plans of mice and men,” Spencer muttered, “and princesses.”
“There’s the castle.” Mishka pointed out his side window, and Meredith looked to see a rather imposing gray structure made of stone. “It was first built in 1488, but part of it burnt down in 1534. The west side was rebuilt, and the wall was added.”
“It’s had numerous revisions and additions since it was built,” Kat told her as they waited in front of a tall metal gate where two security guards peered closely then smiled and permitted them entry.
“We live on the east side.” Kat pointed.
“See the high windows on that corner? That is my room, and Mishka’s is next to it. ”
“It’s a sturdy looking structure. Beautiful yet austere.” Meredith felt a wave of nerves wash over her as she locked eyes with one of the stone lions flanking the driveway. She was in over her head here, and she knew it.
Suddenly, Kat was speaking to her father in their Slavic language, emphatically waving her hands as if she were trying to convince him of something. Finally, he just held up his hands.
“Kat wants to move into Mama’s old rooms,” Mishka quietly translated for her. “She thinks it’s her right, since she is princess and heir to the throne.”
“I shall move to Mama’s suite,” Kat explained to Meredith. “You shall occupy my old rooms.”
“If your grandmother agrees,” Spencer pointed out as the car stopped and doors began to open.
“Yes, of course.”
“I want to show Meri the castle,” Mishka said with bright eyes.
“Yes, you do that,” Spencer told him. “While Kat and I speak to the queen.” He exchanged looks with Meredith now, as if to say anything could happen.
She had no doubts it could. What if the queen hated Kat’s idea?
Would Meredith be shipped right out of here?
If so, perhaps that would be for the best.
With Mishka taking her by the hand, Meredith was given the full tour of the castle—or at least the tour of his favorite places, including the library and the ballroom where he confessed to having roller-skated a few times, and the big kitchen where he was greeted by the chef and given buttery cookies with nuts and powdered sugar.
They went up and down stairs, and Mishka passed by some rooms with closed doors, saying they were just for meetings and things.
Finally they made their way up to the section that housed his family.
He opened the double doors to take them into a small foyer that led into what looked like an attractive American living room with thick cream-colored wall-to-wall carpet, comfortable furnishings, and a large-screen TV.
“I feel like we’re not in the castle anymore.” Meredith picked up a large green throw pillow, fluffing it and then setting it back on the sectional.
“Mama had this section made special. Just for us when we were little. Before she…went away.”
“It’s a pleasant room.” Meredith looked at the snowcapped mountains, framed in the tall high window. “It’s obvious your mother must’ve loved you very much.”
He brightened then agreed with her before showing her the family’s kitchen and dining room. Not extravagant but quite nice. “Do you eat here a lot?”
“Breakfast and lunches. When Grandmama doesn’t make us go to her dining room. But we get to have dinner here if Grandmama has fancy guests and no children are allowed.”
“Who cooks?”
“Mrs. Warner.”
“Oh, yes.” Meredith had nearly forgotten that the Warners stayed with the family wherever they went.
“But they won’t be here for a while.” He frowned. “So we’ll probably eat with Grandmama.”
“Right.” She ran a hand over a granite countertop. “This looks like a fun kitchen to cook in.”
“You could cook here,” he said eagerly. “Until Mrs. Warner comes anyway.”
“I’d be happy to,” she told him. “If it’s okay with the queen.”
“Want to see my room?” he asked.
“Of course.” She smiled as he took her hand again, allowing him to lead her down a hallway and into a room with blue walls and a large table with rocks and shells and animal skeletons and resource books. “Very studious looking.”
He picked up some kind of skull. “This was from a badger.” He began to explain about the jaw and teeth and feigned fear.
“Scary stuff,” she teased as she strolled about the room, seeing he had his own bathroom and, instead of a wardrobe, a closet.
How modern. She felt a new respect for Princess Anastasia.
The woman clearly was trying to create something for her children that she wanted them to feel comfortable in.
It was rather endearing. “Your home is lovely, Mishka. I like it a lot. I bet you’re happy to be back here. ”
“I’m especially happy since you came home with us.” He beamed at her. “Want to see your room now? If Grandmama lets Kat move out.”
“Whether it’s Kat’s room or mine, I’d love to see it.”
He led her to the room next to his and, although slightly larger and more feminine, it too was modern and comfortable. Not cold and formal like the other rooms in the castle. “Very nice—” She paused at what sounded like Kat’s voice calling out.
“In here,” Mishka yelled back. “In your room.”
Kat rushed in with wide eyes. “Grandmama wants to see you right now, Meri. At once.” Spencer came behind her, a slightly grim expression shadowing his face.
“Your presence is requested in the royal chambers, Miss Meredith.” He grimaced. “I will take you there now.”
As she followed him, she wondered if she should check her teeth or smooth her hair. Or was it too late for that?
“I’ll warn you, the queen isn’t taking this well,” Spencer said as they went down the massive wood staircase. She ran her hand along an intricately carved banister, wondering how many hands had done the same—perhaps heading for the dungeon or gallows.
“I gathered that.”
“Keep in mind, it’s nothing personal,” he said quietly. “It’s just that she doesn’t like to feel like she’s been hoodwinked.”
Despite the grim circumstances, she smiled. “Hoodwinked?”
“You know, someone conniving behind her back. Gets her worked up.”
“Does she think this is my doing?”