“It is nice to see you, Louise. How are you?”
“Very well, thank you, ma’am.”
The Queen’s eyes then moved towards Zorina, who obediently curtseyed as her mother had done and kissed the Queen’s hand.
Then, as she rose, the Queen said,
“You may sit down.”
Princess Louise took the chair nearest to her and Zorina sat a little further away.
They waited in what Zorina thought was a deliberately planned awe-inspiring silence.
“I have asked you here,” the Queen began at last, “to tell you that I have decided to give my approval to Victoria Mary marrying King Otto of Leothia!”
Princess Louise gave a little gasp and Zorina felt as if she had been turned to stone.
“That is – very gracious of you – ma’am,” Princess Louise managed to stammer with some difficulty.
“I thought, Louise, that you w
