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“Ididtell them you’d never been camping,” Elizabeth teased. “This is it,” she added, looking up and in front of them. “It’s no Notre Dame, but it dates back to around the same time.”

They’d just walked into the cathedral, where Elizabeth would soon host her coronation. Palmer had never been to Notre Dame prior to the fire or since, but this place was nice on the outside, and it was gorgeous on the inside.

“Can you believe how they made this place and other places like it? My mother had a thing for architecture. She actually went to university for it and would have been an architect had she not met my father. With only elementary drawings, stone masons meticulously directed the construction of the greatest medieval cathedrals all over Europe, and we managed to get one of our own in St.Rais. Did you know that the practices of intuitive calculation based on simplistic mathematical ratios were closely guarded secrets? They were passed down from generation to generation.”

“I didnotknow that,” Palmer replied, staring at Elizabeth and no longer the clerestory windows and the alter up ahead. “It’s beautiful.”

Elizabeth turned to her and smiled.

“I’m glad you’re here. Although, it will likely be very boring for you. I have to practice walking slowly, taking things someone hands me, and then check the sound for my speech. I’d understand if you’d like to meet me for dinner after instead of enduring this tedium.” She chuckled.

“I’m good here,” Palmer replied. “You don’t have to entertain me, Elizabeth.”

A throat cleared from behind them.

“Your Majesty,” Palmer corrected.

“Majesty, it’s time,” Rebecca said.

“Yes, of course.” Elizabeth met Palmer’s eyes. “Soon, there will be no going back. I will beofficiallya Queen.”

“You already are,” Palmer replied, winking at her. “Can I sit anywhere?”

“The back would be preferable as security is still running the dogs through the pews up front,” Rebecca answered.

“Okay.”

Palmer sat in the second to last row of pews. She watched as Elizabeth walked slowly down the middle aisle. Her chin was level with the floor; her hands were positioned just so. This woman was a Queen. How she couldn’t see it was completely beyond Palmer. The bishop placed a crown on Elizabeth’s head. Then, she moved to the seat that was acting as her throne for this rehearsal.

“Coronations have been practiced in St. Rais since the first King,” Rebecca explained, sitting down next to Palmer. “Many European countries have done away with them entirely, or if theydohave them still, they’re simple ceremonies. Sometimes, the new monarch takes an oath in front of their Parliament or legislative body.”

“Can I ask whyyoustill do it this way?” Palmer asked.

“As a reporter or as a guest of Her Majesty?”

“Guest,” Palmer said, shaking her head at Rebecca’s continued mistrust.

“There are many traditions we take from our British and Norwegian ancestors. That, for example,” Rebecca nodded toward where Elizabeth was being handed what looked like a small replica oar, “That is meant to represent the Vikings who settled here. The crown contains an English symbol, the three lions. We still have a coronation because it’s important for us to acknowledge the accession of our new monarch. In this case, it’s vital we acknowledge Her Majesty, Queen Antonia I. She is the very first Queen by birth this nation has ever had, and given the tragedy, people must see a strong monarchy.Shewill give that to us.”

“You have faith in her, don’t you?” Palmer asked.

“I do. Don’t you?”

“I do,” Palmer agreed, nodding. “She’s good at this. She’s going to be an amazing Queen. I just hope people give her a chance to show them what good she can do.”

“And you?”

“What about me?” Palmer asked, forcing her eyes off of Elizabeth and onto Rebecca.

“Will you be sticking around to see all the good she does?”

“Until after the coronation,” she answered. “I’m not sure what you mean, exactly. She told you I’m not here as a reporter anymore, right? I sent you the piece I–”

“She did. And I read the article – you did right by our young Queen.”

“Thanks?” Palmer asked rather than stated because she wasn’t certain she should take that as a compliment.

“Palmer, the Queen seems to enjoy your company quite a lot.”