Chapter 27 #2
The royal household got livelier when Kalina arrived.
It was amazing how much more noise two almost-teen girls made than just one.
For the first day, Kat kept Kalina occupied in the palace.
The girl wanted to see and experience everything and probably gave Kat a whole new appreciation for the home she took for granted.
Then the girls wanted to go shopping for ball gowns.
Knowing this was one of Kat’s goals, Meredith had called ahead to the most elegant dress shop several days ago.
She’d asked the proprietor to reserve the shop for one afternoon for just the two girls and to have a selection of age-appropriate ball gowns on hand to show them.
Meredith hoped this would alleviate the need to go to Vienna, which Spencer was not in favor of due to a continued concern for security.
While ball gown shopping for the girls, Kat insisted that Meredith get one too. “But I won’t be at your party,” Meredith quietly told her as she fastened up the back of Kat’s pale yellow gown.
Kat spun around with a deep frown. “What do you mean?”
“I mean I’m not going.”
“Why not?” she demanded.
“I wasn’t invited.”
Kat rolled her eyes. “Oh, well, that’s just stupid. Of course, you’re coming. You’re my guest.”
“But your host…”
“I’ll straighten out Grandmama. Now, really, Meredith, pick out a gown.”
Meredith smiled. “Yes, Your Highness.”
Kat laughed with another eye roll. “What do you think of this one?”
“You look beautiful in that color, Kat. And the fit is perfect. What do you think?”
“I like it.” Kat called out for Kalina’s opinion, and the saleswoman began to show Meredith some gowns she thought would be appropriate.
An hour or so later, all three of them stood in front of the mirrors. Kat in pale yellow, Kalina in pale pink, and Meredith in pale blue trimmed with crystal beads. Although the dresses were all different designs, the combination of colors was pleasant.
“We look like a spring bouquet,” Meredith observed.
“It’s perfect,” Kat declared. She checked her watch. “If we hurry back to the palace, we have just enough time for another tennis match,” she told Kalina. “This one will be a tie breaker.”
As they were driven back to the palace, the girls excitedly discussed the facials they planned to get tomorrow and how they would have their hair styled on the day of the ball.
It was just as it should be for two normal girls getting ready for their first big night.
Meredith was so happy for Kat, so happy that Spencer had stood up for her. She just hoped it would last.
It wasn’t until the day of the birthday ball that Meredith began to feel concerned about attending Kat’s special event. Sure, it would please the princess, but it might anger Queen Katerina. What then? She hated the idea of making a scene on Kat’s special night.
As they were finishing up breakfast in the royal dining room, she decided to speak personally to the queen.
She waited for Spencer to take Mishka for their haircuts and the girls to hurry off to squeeze in another tennis match before their manicures and hair styling sessions before she approached the queen.
“Your Majesty, may I speak to you?” Meredith asked. “In private?”
The queen gave her a look that was probably equal to Kat’s eye roll but nodded. “Come to my office at ten.” She stood in her slow regal way, giving Meredith the opportunity to leap out of her chair first to avoid being disrespectful.
“Thank you.” Meredith forced a smile. “Excuse me.”
Feeling like an over-wound bundle of nerves, Meredith started down the stairs with ten minutes to spare.
She would rather be early than keep the queen waiting.
As it turned out, the queen kept her waiting until ten thirty, but perhaps that was a good thing.
Instead of feeling nervous, she was aggravated.
As far as she could see, no one had gone into or come out of the queen’s office, and it seemed she was only keeping Meredith waiting to send a message.
She was queen and in charge, and she wanted Meredith to know it.
“Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to see me,” Meredith began after sitting. “I want to talk to you about the ball tonight. The princess was distressed that I didn’t plan to attend. Because I didn’t receive an invitation.” She waited.
The queen released a bored sigh. “Is that all?”
“Not exactly. Princess Katerina has requested that I attend, and I promised that I would. Since it is her birthday, it seems only fair that she should have a say in who is there.”
“So I have heard.”
“I plan to be there with her. I just wanted you to know. I didn’t think it was fair to catch you by surprise.”
“Is that so?” The queen narrowed her eyes. “I thought perhaps you enjoyed taking me by surprise. You have infiltrated the royal family with your independent American ideas, Miss Cardwell. Your influence is everywhere.”
Meredith blinked. “I’m sorry if I’ve offended you, Your Majesty.
It’s not my intent. My first concern has always been the welfare of your grandchildren.
Not just their physical welfare either. I care deeply about their emotional welfare too.
If becoming involved like that has upset you, I’m sorry for your sake, but I’m not sorry for the children’s sake. ”
The older woman considered Meredith’s words.
“I realize my American ways are different from your culture, Your Majesty, and I have tried to be sensitive to the ways of royalty, but I must admit some of it confuses me.”
The queen closed her eyes and leaned back, sitting very still.
“Are you unwell?” Meredith jumped up from her chair. “Your Majesty?”
She slowly opened her eyes. “No, I am not unwell.” She looked at Meredith. “I must confess some ways of royalty confuse me as well.”
Meredith sat back down, stunned.
“There are rules for a reason.”
Meredith nodded.
“Respect and honor are vital to the throne.”
“I understand that, Your Majesty.” Meredith thought hard. “I respect and honor my father…but I do it because I love him. Not because the rules force me to.”
The queen’s expression was surprisingly thoughtful and now softened more. “Do you love Prince Spencer?”
If the queen had asked this with her usual entitled attitude, Meredith might’ve refused to answer, but something about the queen was so vulnerable. “Yes, Your Majesty, I’m afraid I do.”
“Just as I thought.” The queen let out a long sigh. “And I fear he loves you as well.”
Meredith didn’t know what to say. This was all so unexpected. Where was the queen going with this? Perhaps this was her excuse to be rid of Meredith for good.
“I have a question for you, Miss Cardwell.”
“Yes?”
“I do not get the impression you are mercenary, but I would like to offer you a dividend if you would agree to leave the country at once.”
“What?” Meredith couldn’t believe her ears. Did the queen truly think she could bribe her to clear out? A payoff to get the American nuisance out of her hair? Seriously?
“No, I didn’t think so. I see the answer in your face.
Forget I said that, Miss Cardwell. Forgive me for it.
” She held up a hand, a large blue stone glimmering in the light, but the insinuation was that this interview was over.
“I am tired, Miss Cardwell. I must rest up for tonight’s festivities. ” She stood. “I will see you there.”
Meredith thanked the queen for her time, and feeling off balance and confused, exited the room.
What did all that mean? Was the payoff offer in earnest?
Had the queen meant to insult her? But then she’d apologized and even asked her to forgive her.
Perhaps it was insincere. Perhaps she’d misread the queen.
Was Queen Katerina, right this moment, concocting a diabolic plan to rid Rotslavia of the American intruder once and for all?
Oh, probably not. But if Meredith hadn’t promised Kat to be at the ball, she might have skipped out on it.
For Kat’s sake, she would be there. With bells on if necessary.