The Blessings
Upon arrival at Amalienborg Palace, Carolyn, Selene and the 'crew' - as Carolyn likes to call her army of protection now, all entered and at Carolyn's orders, went to change and wash thoroughly in the shower.
Then in the Office of the Monarchy, Carolyn looked around and saw her father's touch was still there in the office. His secretary, seeing this look, apologises, promises she would have it removed. "But if Her Majesty would tell me what you would like in here."
"No, leave it as is. It is perfect just as is. Except, move his photos from the desk and put them up on the mantel. I will have my own photos here."
Smiling, Carolyn touches the desk and slowly sits down in his old chair. Getting a whiff of his fragrance left on the chair, she smiles.
'Dad, I need you now more than ever before, please, with the Lord, guide me, give me strength and wisdom' she prayed.
Sensing something in the room, it was peaceful and loving. She knew he was there in spirit in the room with her. Sitting up straighter, she knew now than ever, her country needs her and is going to really need her more than ever before.
A few minutes later, after bidding the person 'enter', after they knocked. Her mother proceeds Selene into the office, And due to protocol, they both curtsied her.
Receiving a nod and smile from Carolyn, they move to sit down.
A maid also enters too and after curtsying her, then her mother, she inquires if they would like something to drink and eat, then departs with their orders, closing the door behind her.
"Mother, thank you for coming here on short notice. Before I continue, how are you?"
"Your Majesty" grinning at Carolyn, knowing this will egg Carolyn a bit. "I am doing better day by day. While finally entering this office after so long, I am feeling him here and honestly, I am happier you are in his seat. How is Max? I heard through Selene, he is recovering from his surgery. I am so glad. And little Ashley, is she okay? Does she know Max had to have surgery again?"
"No, she doesn't and for her sake we are not telling her just yet. Max is doing surprisingly well when I saw him just more than an hour ago. Mother, before I get to business, I need to tell you of some changes I have made, and hope parliament is not going to blow a fuse and attack me on this, for I am not going to change my mind."
Stopping, she breathed in deeply and continued.
"Mother, firstly, Selene, with whom you have entrusted to me since I was 16. I have unofficially, and will make it official shortly, styled her as 'Countess Selene, Protector of the Royals, Special Advisor and Assistant of the Queen'. Amongst her normal work titles of Senior Private Secretary to the Queen, Chief Palace Staff. When needed, she will have the power to act on my behalf when I am not able to, if and only if Max, as my consort, is not able to do so. She will then with my full permission, be allowed to make any and all decisions necessary, and handle all affairs, whether of state or personal for me and Max, when needed to be dealt with, and regardless of their security clearance. She will have the highest of all security clearance. I have informed the Prime Minister, and he has accepted my decision. Also, I have given Philip, my head of security full security clearance too on all security matters. These two, I trust completely, besides Max included, you and Clem."
Allowing her mother a moment to absorb this, she then slowly continues.
"Mother, I was just informed there is a possible pandemic on the rise. Through secret communication from the UN. China, Italy, Germany and Australia have secretly reported a virus suspected to originate in China with symptoms of severe pneumonia spreading as the medicines are not working. I have ordered the Prime Minister to set up and implement a 'practice protocol of sterilization' throughout the country, at all hospitals, clinics, airports and ports of entry/exit and this must run for 7-days. Those who fail these orders, will be fined or worse. This is to try to prevent or stop any infections that have already arrived. I have also ordered Selene to have all palaces to be sterilised and closed from the public, and all royal outings and events to be cancelled for the time being. By the time this virus gets public, we will at least be on it and hopefully not be badly affected by it. I don't want the public to know yet until the World Health Organisation officially declares it, or the public will go mad. All hospitals will be duly informed of this possibility and told to keep it under the wraps while reporting to the PM."
Now shocked by this news, she nods her agreement.
"Mother, until further notice, I want you, with Clementine, to move to Sorgenfri and remain there. I will stay here as it is closest to the hospital. Soon as Max can leave, I will have him brought here with a team of nurses. This Palace will also be locked down for officially 7-days, but unofficially longer, and only under special reasons will certain members be allowed to come in. I need you to help care for and distract Ashley during this time. And to remotely assist me."
Nodding, her mother responded. "You will have my full support, my child."
Then she looks at Selene and smiles. "So, Countess Selene! You and Carolyn may not be aware, but Johann was planning on knighting you too. Congratulations, my dear."
With both Carolyn and Selene shocked at hearing this, and Selene blushing, Selene bows her head towards Dowager Queen Amelia and thanks her.
Carolyn stood up from the desk and went to the wall where her father's sword was, took it down and turned towards them. Then she orders Selene to call in the other office staff.
After calling whoever was around, with Dowager Queen Amelia moving to stand next to her, Carolyn orders Selene to kneel before her.
With the office staff gasping in shock, while Philip and Dowager Queen Amelia smile on, she knighted Selene.
"Selene Gardner, after years of dedication to the service to the crown, being my true friend, with agreement of my mother, Her Royal Highness Dowager Queen Amelia, and also discovering my late father, His Royal Highness Prince Johann too, had planned to. I, as your present Queen, am extremely honoured to hereby knight you and bestow the title of Countess, Protector of the Kingdom of Denmark, Special Executive Advisor and Assistant to Denmark's Queen and Prince Consort. Arise! My Lady, Countess Selene Gardner, my dear friend."
And Countess Selene rises to everyone applauding, and at Carolyn persistence, hugs her.
Then she stood back, curtsies to her Queen and Dowager Queen Amelia. Turning to everyone, she blushes and smiles, and nods her thanks.
"Now will Philip Garesson, please step forward and kneel before me," orders Carolyn with a smile.
Surprised by this but duty-bound to serve his Queen, he quickly made his way forward and knelt before them and bowed his head.
"Philip Garesson, for service to the crown, above and beyond the call of duty, and in the presence of everyone here, I am honoured to knight you, Lord Philip, High Commander of the Danish Knights, Protector of the Kingdom of Denmark. Arise my Lord and stand next to me."
Arising, he bows deeply and as ordered, he moves to stand next to her, fighting his smile to remain expressionless.
"Let us all rejoice what God has blessed us with and applaud these two for their exceptional services to the kingdom. During my grandmother's rule - our beloved late Queen, onto my late father, and now to me."
Everyone claps hard with some eyes filled with tears. Carolyn even sees the Press Officer taking photos.
Shortly afterwards, the staff departs, with Carolyn asking Selene and Philip to remain behind. Amelia was still in the office, now sitting back in her chair, typing on her phone, to her personal assistant to start the packing and make urgent arrangements to move to Sorgenfri Palace as soon as possible.
"Countess Selene, Lord Philip" Carolyn speaks formally, and smiles brightly at them, loving this moment. "When, oh when, do I have the honour to bless the marriage between you too?" she asked sheepishly.
Selene's face turned so red, it was laughable. But Philip grins, turns and kneels before Selene who squeaks and gasps, waving her hands over her face, trying not to cry as she semi panics in shock.
"Selene, or should I now call you now, My Lady, Countess Selene. With permission of our late Queen Sofia and now apparent direct permission of Queen Carolyn. It would be an honour if I may ask for your hand in marriage, as my heart has known for a long time you are my other half. And I have loved you secretly for over 10 years. Standing there, watching you, waiting, biding my time. So, my love, with this ring," and he extracts a box from inside his suit jacket, to the shocked alarm of Selene, Carolyn and Amelia. "That has been in my pocket since that day Queen Sofia had granted me permission to date you," he declared. "Please, I beg you, say you will be my bride, and share your life me with me, always."
And he opens the ring box, and they all saw an incredible ring. A large green egg-shaped sapphire ring with diamonds around it.
Selene, with tears tearing down, and with both Carolyn and Amelia holding their bated breaths. She chokes a whispered answer, while nodding - "yes".
Philp shoots up, grabs her. He hugs her and kisses her, forgetting his place before his Queen. For a moment. And she starts to laugh.
Carolyn and Amelia applauded them while laughing too. Then they watched Philip slip the ring onto her finger.
"About bloody time!" comments Dowager Queen Amelia and this set of another round of laughing.
"Selene, Philip, until tomorrow morning at 8 am, you both are off duty and do not come back here. Philip, take her out to the best restaurant in town and charge it to me, as my gift to you both. Then book yourselves into a hotel for the night. I don't want to see either of you at all until tomorrow morning. Now, GO!" she orders.
Selene was about to argue, but leaves with Philip semi dragging her. They wave as they depart, chuckling happily.
"Mother, for now, I need you and your assistant. So hold the moving till tomorrow or day after. I need your advice, your wisdom."
"With pleasure, but the first piece of wisdom," spoke the Dowager Queen to her.. "Let's get something to eat as I am sure you haven't eaten yet."
And they both departed the office and headed to Amelia's suite, where the kitchen there was stocked with some food.