The Looming Battle Begins
Grabbing a bit of food to eat, and a coffee, she sat on the couch with her shoeless feet tucked under her. Her mother sits next to her on the couch, with her own meal. Amelia summoned her PA to join them.
With a nod from Carolyn to Amelia, as her mouth was 'unroyally' full of food, Amelia at first made her trusted PA swear to the Queen of Denmark, complete secrecy and utter dedication to service.
Then Amelia updates her on what had happened in the office, including adding the engagement and knighting, which she quickly added with a smile, was not a secret.
Then Carolyn tasked Delia to contact the PM, and update him accordingly. "Have him know that my mother is also my most-trust, and has full clearance as she is assisting me," speaks out Carolyn, interrupting her mother.
"Ask him to update us all, regularly on the pandemic status and to include yourself in the updates too, until tomorrow morning as Countess Selene is temporarily unavailable," orders Amelia to Delia.
Carolyn nods in agreement to this, giving her permission to include Delia, temporary.
"Actually, let us have him on the phone," suggests Amelia and Delia nod. She rushes to call the PM and request a phone conference with the Queens.
Moments later he answers. "Your Majesty. Your Royal Highness."
"Mr Prime Minister. Thank you for taking our call at such short notice," speaks up Carolyn. "I am sure you are very busy and yet to have an update for us. But I wish to update you on some changes I have implemented."
"Yes, Ma'am. How may I be of assistance?" asks the PM.
"Mr Prime Minister. Until the Palace issues the press releases. I have formally knighted Selene Gardner as Countess and Philip Garesson as Lord Garesson. Henceforth, they are part of my close and trusted team. I am sure you will understand this. And, as I have mentioned to you earlier, both have full necessary security clearance. Now, I have asked my mother, Dowager Queen Amelia, to also join my team, as my personal and public advisor. And with her, is her own trusted PA, Lady Delia…" and she stops for a second. "My apologies, correction is Countess Delia Westtings. Now the main reason we are calling you, is to inform you that Princess Clementine will be relocating to Sorgenfri. Later, in a few days, my mother will follow too. I will be residing at Amalienborg, as it is closer to the hospital and Prince Max until he can be safely discharged to the palace. Also, I wish to inform you of the actuarial ranking of unofficial command of my team. From myself, it will be my husband, with my mother as third. Countess Selene is also third, while on a different level, answering directly to myself and my husband - as I have explained to you earlier. Countess Delia is under Dowager Queen Amelia care and direction. Everyone has full clearance, where necessary, unless I otherwise state. So, in relation to this possible pandemic, I trust you will work with me and join my team, allowing and including them to be privy to any and all information, henceforth, whether part of this pandemic or anything else."
"Your Majesty. I serve you and therefore I shall accept your orders. I also pledge myself to you and swear that you shall never need to question my trust. I look forward to joining your trusted team."
The PM then updated them over the phone on what he had, including that they have sent the 'Sterilization Practice Protocol' to all the hospitals. Per Her Majesty's order, it will be implement at 7-am tomorrow morning, for 7-days straight.
He also informed her the border staff are still busy updating all ports of entry, and exit too, of this protocol. Already several have voiced their objections to this, but will implement it per order.
Then he informed them that the WHO – World Health Organisation, has secretly issued their suspicions on what type of virus it may be, but they are not releasing its name until they can concur this. They are investigating what vaccines or medication will fight it.
While China has updated its cases diagnosed, to date, to over two thousand, with Italy at just under 300, Germany and Australia are about 50. There is that word a few other countries are also starting to report findings to. But until they can properly diagnose the virus, they are holding back on the numbers.
Shuddering, Carolyn thanked the PM and they hung up.
She looked at her mother and Carolyn feared she was going to have a fight on her hands.
Later that evening, Carolyn was informed that on live TV, the international news channel CNN, was broadcasting China was infected with a pandemic virus, and WHO, who was now obligated, confirmed this. And also informed them that: "while we are investigating this, the number of reported cases are yet to be accurately determined, if it is the same infection. There are no evidential deaths relating to one virus as of yet."
WHO further broadcast the symptoms of the suspected virus and mentioned: "the best way to prevent infection is to wash and sterilise your hands. And if you or someone needs to cough, cough into a tissue and throw it away. While WHO cannot yet confirm the type of virus or where it came from, they can concur its symptoms were similar to pneumonia. And chest or immune weak people will suffer the most."
Sighing, Carolyn had the night palace secretary call the PM, Privy Council, and her trust team, ordering an emergency meeting tomorrow at eight, to discuss this matter further and a way forward.
She then prayed long and hard that night, and eventually passed off for the night, alone in bed.