Page 12 of Love on the Main Stage
I knew it was supposed to bejuicy, but just didn’t care enough about a silly music competition to invest the energy in contrived drama.
“It is all anyone can talk about! Anyhow, it is coming and we will be hosting in style. But on top of that, the documentarians want to follow you around as you meet and greet the people. They asked for a modern, public face.”
My brow furrowed. “And you can’t ask Lars because you’re not sure if Rose can travel?”
“I can’t ask your older brother because we both know Lars is not the type to… engage with artists.”
I snickered. My oldest brother was a competitive sailor and engineer, butnotone to hobnob with bohemians. His vibrant Scottish-born wife, Rose, was the perfect complement, but unavailable.
“I follow you, but what about Cici?”
“Cici has one year from now to take over,” Olav said. “I’ve made it clear. It’s her playing field. As my father did before me, I am stepping back. You, my dear, are young, interesting, and don’t come with baggage or obligation.”
“Well, I have competitions. I can’t just?—”
“Parliament is putting pressure to expel people from the house who cannot commit to at leastsomeduties.”
My jaw dropped. “What?”
“We don’t have enough people,” Olav said. “I can’t lose another seat at the table. Or, rather, dear Cecilia cannot. Bless her. She and Isak have enough to do until your brother’s kids are full-blown adults. Succession crisis and all of that… they are so overloaded.”
I nodded in understanding, still aching for Isak and Cecilia with every mention of the so-called “succession crisis”.
Uncle sighed, “A year ago we sat here and you told me you wanted work.”
“Sure, when I’minNorway, but I wasn’t supposed to?—”
“You own a house here, do you not?”
“Yes, but I planned to summer in London with Keir and Ingrid. She’s in the same boat?—”
“Perhaps they could come north and visit?”
He knew it wasn’t that simple for my other brother to just appear. My complicated origin story aside, no one wanted to hang out in Trondheim.
“You’ve got time to change plans I’m sure.”
“And if I say no?” I asked.
“I cannot protect you from parliament. Cici needs you,” Uncle said. “Betty, you must prove those not in the most immediate line of succession deserve a seat at the table so thatsome day when Lars’s kids take over, they can also share the burden.”
No pressure, babes!
“I will think about it.”
“You were born a princess, Betty,” he continued. “You were an unexpected gift who brought happiness. You have a zest for life about you that I think Cici could really use around here. Ever since she left to be a full-time Crown Princess, it’s been a bit doom-and-gloom. She misses her baby cousin. Wouldn’t it be nice to be closer?”
As a person, I wasn’t sold. As an athlete, I was livid. But as an aunt and a beloved cousin, I was trapped. Familial duty overrode all else.
“Yes, Your Majesty, I sighed. I will carry on thefinetradition of giving it my all.”
“And Norwegians willloveyou for it,” he added.
I had no idea how that bit would pan out, norcouldI.
Chapter 3
Meet The Zamboneys
