In The Name of Love
10: Questioning

“Are you ready, Minna?” King Ansgar asks. His eyes tell her there can only be one answer, but she dreads to give it. All night she has tossed and turned, wondering if she has enough questions prepared, worrying about what this round of the Quest for Favor will reveal about her suitors. What if I can’t marry any of them? What if I can’t decide? Even now, anxiety plagues her. Her chambermaids did well helping her with cosmetics and hairstyling to hide her restless night, but nothing can quell the trembling within her.

“Yes, Your Majesty,” Minna lies. At least today will be less of a spectacle, Minna assures herself while King Ansgar tells the Chief Royal Steward to bring in the first competitor. Instead of holding the Questioning in the Great Hall, with all the suitors and the full court present, she will be interviewing the suitors one at a time in a Hall of Private Audience, with only her family and the Chief Royal Steward present as witnesses.

“It’s going to be fine,” Fifi whispers to Minna, earning her a reproving glare from their father. Minna smiles tightly in reply; she appreciates her sister’s encouragement, but wishes she wouldn’t provoke their father. I want him in good spirits, that he might see the best in any suitors that catch my attention, she pleads silently.

“First we will hear from Lord Ingemar, son of the Baron of Nulmyr,” the Chief Royal Steward announces. Thank Chuezoh he doesn’t have his trumpet. In this small room, that would be torturous, Minna thinks as Lord Ingemar walks in, poised and confident. His virginal performance yesterday was impressive. And those eyes…. With his slim build, wavy brown hair, and sharp jawline dusted with a shadow of stubble, Lord Ingemar is easily one of the most attractive of Minna’s suitors. A shame he’s only a baron’s son.

“Good morning, Lord Ingemar,” Minna greets him.

“Good morning, Your Highness,” the young man replies with an elegant bow. Baron’s son or not, I must keep him for the Ball, unless he’s insufferable in conversation. I’m certain he’s an excellent dancer.

“Since it’s so early in the morning, let’s start with something simple. What is your most treasured childhood possession and why?”

Lord Ingemar’s arresting amber eyes widen. “…A leather-bound notebook. Embossed with a sketch of my sister and I hawking together. It was the last thing my mother gave me…before she died.”

“I’m sorry for your loss. You have a sister?”

“Yes, my twin. We’re very close.”

Although the first question seemed to throw Lord Ingemar a bit, he remains unruffled and charming through the questions that follow. Minna learns that his horse is called Comet and loves to snack on apples, that hawking and playing the virginal are his favorite pastimes, that he likes to walk in the local village and converse with his vassals, and that he prefers to avoid violent solutions to conflict whenever possible. He also seeks a life partner to be his equal in all things, viewing marriage as a true partnership. How that would work, given the difference between us in rank, I’m not sure, but it’s a beautiful sentiment.

“What advantage would my union with you bring Aethyrozia?” Minna asks. Fifi flinches beside her, and Minna’s jaw tightens. I know it’s an unfair question for the son of a baron. But it’s a question that must be asked.

“ Nulmyr is home to Aethyrozians from all walks of life, Your Highness,” Lord Ingemar replies without a moment’s hesitation. “A closer connection to Nulmyr is a closer connection to the needs of all of your subjects. Knowing the people of Nulmyr better will help you and your family better serve all of Aethyrozia.”

His calm certainty is certainly admirable, Minna observes. “Why should I choose you over any other?”

“I would hope on account of my myriad charms and your attraction to me, as well as my demonstrated poise and intellect. I have no desire for a loveless marriage.”

King Ansgar harrumphs next to Minna, and she winces for a moment. He doesn’t approve. But of course he wouldn’t. However charming Lord Ingemar might be, he isn’t royal, and so Father thinks he isn’t good enough.

“Finally, what questions do you have for me?” Minna inquires.

“Would Your Highness ever deign to play a duet with me? I have heard great things about your skill with the harp and the violin.”

Minna cannot help but smile. “Should Chuezoh grant us an opportunity, I think such a duet would be most enjoyable.”

Lord Ingemar returns her smile and bows again. “I look forward to that day.”

“Thank you for your time and your forthrightness, Lord Ingemar. My decision will be announced at supper.” I’m sad to see him go, Minna muses as the Chief Royal Steward escorts Lord Ingemar out of the room. He was easy to talk to, a great start to the day.

If only she could guarantee that every interview would proceed so smoothly. She knows they cannot all advance to the Ball, but Lord Ingemar certainly set the bar high for the rest of the competitors.

“Bring in the next one!” King Ansgar calls.

***~O~***

Next to Minna, Fifi struggles to maintain perfect princess posture and to not look bored. She’d been fine during Lord Ingemar’s Questioning—I know she won’t choose him, but I’ll have to replace him at court once all of this is over and see if we can be friends—but Minna’s interview with Lord Birger, Baron of Besnuth, has been far less interesting. His recitation of Saint Gustavus and the Dragon was quite good, Fifi recalls as she listens to the baron’s stammering and fumbling, but it seems he has far more trouble stringing words together coherently when he has to make them up himself. It’s all she can do to maintain a guise of polite interest. On the other end of their dais, Emrik isn’t even trying; Queen Ingrid has had to nudge him awake more than once already. Once Lord Birger leaves the room, King Ansgar has a servant fetch his son some vellum and charcoal so he can doodle, if only so that snores won’t interrupt The Questioning.

Lord Karl, the son of the Viscount of Fyrlenth, follows Lord Birger. His sharp features and hazel eyes give Fifi hope that his interview will be more interesting than his predecessors, and indeed, she cannot help but smile as he tells them all about his horses and hunting dogs. An animal lover. Perhaps another friend, if he spends much time at court and I can arrange a meeting, Fifi plots. Then Minna’s questions turn towards effectively ruling a kingdom, and Lord Karl looks as though she’s slapped him in the face.

“Begging your pardon, Your Highness, but your brother is next in line for the throne, not you, is he not? What does ruling a country have to do with a relationship between the two of us?” Karl protests. And that’s the end of that. He’s out of the running, Fifi observes from a shift in Minna’s demeanor. The Hall of Private Audience becomes chilly and Minna’s questions are brief and perfunctory. By the time he bows and departs, even Lord Karl knows he’s made a mistake.

After Lord Karl comes the massive Lord Rolf, Viscount of Senthior. The one who so impressed Emrik with his weightlifting prowess, Fifi remembers. He’s much larger up close, nearly seven feet tall, in Fifi’s estimation, and so broad-shouldered he must both duck and twist sideways to fit through the door into the room. His muscles are impressive, and Emrik sits up and takes notice when he enters the room, even setting his vellum and charcoal aside. Unfortunately, Lord Rolf is an abysmal conversationalist, at least in Fifi’s opinion; he is ill-educated for his 30 years of life experience. The most interesting thing he tells them is that he is alone in the world, since his father passed recently, and so he is competing in the hopes of securing himself some companionship. That won’t be enough to tempt Minna, Fifi shakes her head slightly as Minna concludes the interview.

“I liked him better yesterday,” Emrik whines as soon as the Chief Royal Steward has escorted Lord Rolf out of the room.

“Utterly unfit to wear a crown or wield power of any kind,” King Ansgar mutters. “You won’t invite him back, Minna.”

“I can’t imagine he’s a graceful dancer, anyway,” Fifi murmurs, hoping only Minna can hear her. Minna’s lips curve up slightly. Good. Some levity.

Then comes Lord Ulrik, the son of the Earl of Sulthir—the woodcarver. A bold choice, woodcarving, Fifi muses, observing the boyish lord’s hunched shoulders and wringing hands. Nervous again, though. Perhaps Minna can make him comfortable and he will have interesting things to say. However, his answer to Minna’s first question is a mere two words, and so is his answer to her followup question. Emrik loudly rustles his vellum as he goes back to doodling, and Queen Ingrid sighs her disappointment in him. Lord Ulrik’s blue eyes focus on the floor in front of him, and he seems absolutely petrified to be there. Despite Minna’s gentle attempts to coax more words out of him, Lord Ulrik remains stubbornly reticent, and Fifi struggles to feign even the thinnest veneer of polite interest. Would that I could also have vellum and charcoal, she wishes, but she knows better than to even ask. It would only anger their father, and she at least has something to gain by paying attention.

Lord Ulrik is replaced by Lord Hans, Earl of Hrathnyr, a decent-looking man of twenty-eight years. He sang so beautifully yesterday, Fifi remembers. I’m not surprised she brought him back for the Questioning. And he’s not bad looking, but in Minna’s place, I would end the interview early. There doesn’t seem to be much going on behind his deep brown eyes. He asks clarifying questions about every single one of Minna’s questions for him, and even with Minna’s patient, helpful responses, his answers haven’t made much sense. How is it possible that we’ve interviewed six suitors now and only one of them is worth inviting back for the Ball?! Fifi asks herself. And that one is the son of a baron, which Father will never approve of. But he’s witnessing this the same as we are. Surely he can see that birthright isn’t the only measure of someone’s worth or competence?

“Thank you, Lord Hans. My decision will be announced at supper,” Minna says, and the Chief Royal Steward wastes no time in taking the clueless Earl away.

“Good riddance,” King Ansgar mutters. “I’m afraid you turned the meritorious noblemen away last night, Minna.”

You have no intention of letting her choose any of the noblemen, anyway, Fifi wants to retort, but she bites her tongue.

“There are still many to interview, Father,” Minna answers, calm and poised as ever. As if to confirm her statement, the Chief Royal Steward comes back into the Hall of Private Audience, this time with Kai following him. Fifi smiles at the sight of him. At least I know he isn’t a complete fool, and that he can hold a conversation, she thinks, hopeful that this interview will be more enjoyable than the past several. By the grinding of King Ansgar’s teeth, she knows he doesn’t share her hopes, but she dismisses his opinion with a toss of her head. It’s tradition that Minna give every suitor a fair chance.

“Presenting Lord Nicolaas, the son of the Earl of Lyrnola,” the Chief Royal Steward declares, his tone reflective of King Ansgar’s displeasure.

“Welcome, Lord Nicolaas,” Minna greets him, the image of a perfect princess in her mint green gown. Maybe she’ll win him over yet, Fifi muses. She can’t recall seeing her sister look better.

“Thank you, Your Highness,” Kai answers with a smooth bow. “May I request, before we begin, that you call me Kai?”

King Ansgar’s frown deepens, but Minna seems unperturbed. “As you wish, Kai. To start…. What sorts of books from the Royal Library would you be most interested in reading?”

“Anything about Aethyrozia’s horticulture and natural wonders and resources. I must confess I replace everything about the natural world fascinating, Your Highness.”

I wish he’d come to court before this, Fifi muses. I’m sure we would have run into each other in courtyards many times, and found much to talk about.

“A clear mind guides a decisive hand; how do you keep your mind clear?” Minna continues.

“By taking walks outdoors, mostly, Your Highness. I replace fresh air indispensable for clearing the mind and settling one’s thoughts.”

“Tell me about a time when you were frustrated with someone or something. How did you resolve that situation?”

“My father is often frustrated with me for failing to share his ambitions for my future, Your Highness. Sometimes we argue about it, which usually ends with me going for a walk to let both of us cool off. Most recently, it has resulted in me coming to court to humor him.”

Fifi blinks in surprise. I’m not sure such forthrightness will serve you well here, she worries. Then again, perhaps Father will see that you lack the flaws he’s found so objectionable in your father.

After that, Minna’s questions are rapid-fire. Kai’s horse is called Varsel and prefers to snack on fresh clover blossoms; Kai would try to handle a revolt amongst the common people first by calling a meeting with the leaders of the revolt and trying to negotiate; for him the most important trait in a life partner is honesty and open communication. The antics of songbirds and squirrels never fail to make him smile, but no one else he’s met really seems to notice them. His most cherished childhood possession is a walking stick he still uses, hand-carved, a gift from an old friend. He’s not cut out for court. He’s meant for a life far from here, out of doors, free to go wherever the wind leads him, Fifi decides. He’s not even trying to answer the questions so as to present himself in the most advantageous light. Just pure honesty. What he says he wants from a partner. Refreshing.

“Why should I choose you over any other suitor?” Minna asks Kai.

“Because you’ve interviewed all of your suitors and decided, based on what you’ve heard, that I am the candidate most likely to make you happy as a life partner,” Kai replies, then adds hastily, “Should that be your opinion, once these interviews have concluded, Your Highness.” His cheeks flush slightly, the first break in his composure since the interview started.

“Finally, what questions do you have for me?”

The young man is quiet for a moment, and his eyes meet Fifi’s in the silence. I can’t help you. I’m meant to be seen and not heard. Choose your words carefully, she thinks, hoping her face conveys the message to him.

“What does Your Highness most like to do to clear your head and feed your soul?”

“Listening to and playing music have always been my respite. The harp is my favorite instrument.” Minna glances sideways at Fifi, who sees a hint of surprise in her sister’s features. “Thank you for your time, and for presenting your genuine self in this interview. My decision will be announced at supper.”

Kai bows again, and the Chief Royal Steward leads him out of the Hall of Private Audience. For a moment, heavy silence weighs on the Royal Family of Aethyrozia. Even Emrik makes no sound.

“Well!” Queen Ingrid says brightly, a curious little smile playing about her lips. “I think it’s safe to say that Lord Nicolaas has very little in common with his father.”