If today was the day Addie was destroyed, at least she would look like herself doing it.
                          
No, the king would not be able to deny that it was her. Ernest had very nearly stalked her family in the months before the accident, never seeming to leave her alone. He probably knew what Addie looked like better than Addie herself.
                          
He wouldn't be able to deny that it was her to himself.
                          
The rest of the country, Addie wasn't sure.
                          
King Ernest then glanced over at Andrew and Theo.
                          
"I cannot say that I am surprised by your companions, my niece. Weston, you have helped to start quite the little rebellion, haven't you?"
                          
Andrew looked amused. "Rebellion, Your Majesty? No, not such a thing. We are merely pointing out ways your grand monarchy could be improved to better serve your people. And Adelaide deserves to be a part of the service to her country. It is her due, after all."
                          
Queen Frederica harrumphed from her spot across from Addie.
                          
"Let us get down to it, shall we?" King Ernest asked, tensely. He did not wait for a response before continuing. "I think we have been very gracious with our offer of an alliance through marriage. Adelaide should come home and then spread the news of her matrimonial bliss onto all the people who seem to suddenly love her so dearly."
                          
King Ernest gave her a shrewd look, his leering not mistaken for anything other than what it was. Distaste.
                          
Addie tilted her head in thought. The room was waiting for her response. It would seem that Andrew was letting her take the lead on this one, to stand here and now for what she would, or would not, tolerate.
                          
"Perhaps," she said slowly, drawing the word out.
                          
She heard the queen gasp, presumably at the audacity to question the king's request.
                          
"Certain stipulations would need to be met before I announced myself to be in...what was it again? Oh yes, matrimonial bliss." Addie neatly clasped her hands together.
                          
King Ernest waved his hand as if in boredom. "Do go on."
                          
Theo withdrew the documents they had drafted ahead of time and laid them on the table while Addie continued.
                          
"Since I am the rightful heir to the throne, it should be expected that when the time came for Prince George to ascend as King, I would not merely be Queen Consort. I will rule jointly. To be clear, I will retain the stated monarchical powers as noted here," Addie pointed to the document. 
                          
She had barely finished the last word before he burst, outraged.
                          
"This is preposterous!" King Ernest slammed his fist down on the document in a movement anticipated by nearly all in the room.
                          
"No," a new voice stated, and Addie swiveled her head. George was leaning forward to study the written words splayed beneath his father's hands. Addie truly looked at him for the first time since they had arrived at the palace. He was classically handsome, as Lady Humphries had said. He was just one year older than Addie was herself, but his youthfulness had vanished, leaving a hard exterior.
                          
Likely a result of his parents, Addie thought.
                          
He had dark, sleek hair, sharp blue eyes, and a polished demeanor.
                          
"This is reasonable, father," George said. "As she said, she is the rightful heir to the throne. If you should like to keep your place upon it and my place, as well, this is the swiftest course of compromise."
                          
Addie's eyes lingered on her cousin, evaluating his unexpected response. His gaze met her, and she gave him a small smile. But he didn't smile back or give her any tokens of encouragement. He merely stared in response.