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  “Then we must do something quickly. I have asked for an audience with the Prime Minister today. It is he who invited me here, so I know he is worried.”

  “I suspect that he is as concerned as we are. When you see him, advise him that he must recruit immediately a great number of men into the Army and train them. I will ask for volunteers to learn to ride, but they must also learn to shoot. We can only work as quickly as possible to make them much better prepared than they are at present.”

  Zoleka realised that he was talking commonsense.

  “I will do everything that I possibly can, Franz, and I will tell you this evening what the Prime Minister says.”

  The Count smiled at her, then rode forward to join the other Officers and Udele and on his instructions they started galloping again.

  It was soon time to return home.

  “That was wonderful, absolutely wonderful,” Udele enthused when they drew up outside the Palace.

  “It is something we must do again tomorrow,” the Count suggested, “and may I now congratulate Your Royal Highness on being an excellent rider.”

  “That is just the nicest thing you could say to me,” Udele answered. “I was afraid you would think that I was not good enough for the mount you chose for me.”

  She bent forward as she spoke and patted her horse.

  She looked so very pretty as she did so and Zoleka hoped the men watching her would make a fuss of her.

  It seemed so pathetic that she should have spent the last few years since her mother died alone with her father, who was obviously not interested in her.

  She had been treated by the staff at the Palace as if she was of no particular significance and like a small child.

  Zoleka thought it was extremely unkind of the Lord Chamberlain not to have found playmates for her.

  She might even have had girls of the same age to share governesses with her. Instead of which, from what she had gathered, Udele had been doing lessons with dull, middle-aged governesses all alone.

  Their only idea of recreation was to take her for a long walk in the Palace grounds and ride, but only when accompanied by one elderly groom.

  No one thought her important enough to require a proper Escort or even an aide-de-camp by her side.

  ‘Things will be very different from now on,’ Zoleka resolved firmly as they walked into the Palace.

  She noticed that although it was nearly nine o’clock there were none of Prince Majmir’s aides-de-camp on duty and only two footmen to receive them in the hall.

  ‘The whole of this Palace is excessively badly run,’ she decided, ‘and for that I blame the Lord Chamberlain.’

  Her Third Eye had told her last night that he was not at all friendly and now he was more likely to be an enemy than a friend.

  As she walked up the stairs to take off her hat, she gave a little shiver.

  She was beginning to think that with the exception of the Count she was left fighting a lonely battle with not enough ammunition and support to be sure of winning it.

  To Udele’s delight the Officers took breakfast with them and then they left, saying they were looking forward to riding tomorrow.

  “I will require a carriage in half-an-hour,” Zoleka said, “to take Her Royal Highness and myself to the shops. Please send a messenger ahead now to the most exclusive shop in the City and inform the manager we are arriving and will require the attention of the manageress of each department.”

  She was making this request to an elderly aide-decamp, who had now condescended to show up.

  He gasped at what she had just demanded.

  “It is something we have never done before, Your Royal Highness!”

  “All the more reason to do it now,” Zoleka replied sharply, “and please hurry or they will not be ready for us when we arrive.”

  The Count was listening to the conversation and he asked Zoleka,

  “Anton Bauer told me that you require an Escort.”

  “Of course.”

  “I think that as the Palace personnel seem not to know their duty, I will send two of your men with you and two from the Palace. It will be the quickest way for them to learn the correct way to behave.”

  “I think that is an excellent idea.”

  It was then that Zoleka heard an angry voice behind her,

  “It is quite unprecedented for Princess Udele, if she goes to the City, to require an Escort.”

  “Good morning,” said Zoleka rather pointedly.

  “Good morning, Your Royal Highness,” replied the Lord Chamberlain. “I was just remarking that it is quite unnecessary for Her Royal Highness to have an Escort.”

  “But I am afraid it is necessary for me. My father would certainly not allow me to wander about in a strange City without an Escort. In any case, I think, as Her Royal Highness has grown up and is no longer in the schoolroom, that people should get to know her and form a deep respect for her.”

  “And you think that makes it necessary for her to demand a full Escort?” the Lord Chamberlain asked in an aggressive manner.

  “I think it is essential and, as I have said, I have no intention of going without one. You cannot be so blind as not to realise that the Princess needs new clothes. She can hardly go on appearing in public in what she has worn in the schoolroom!”

  There was nothing the Lord Chamberlain could say.

  He was muttering darkly to himself as he stalked away without bowing to Zoleka, as protocol demanded that he should have done.

  The Count smiled.

  “You will have to get rid of him,” he whispered.

  “That is just what I was thinking, but I am not sure how!”

  “I am sure he will cling to his post as if to a lifeline, which of course it is as no one else would employ such an old grumpy.”

  Zoleka laughed as she ran up the stairs to change.

  *

  Once again she had to lend Udele one of her best dresses.

  The only clothes the poor girl had were childish and so unbecoming and Zoleka knew it would be a mistake to take Princess Udele into the City with what she hoped would be a fanfare of trumpets unless she was dressed for the part.

  However, in one of Zoleka’s pretty and colourful dresses she looked perfectly presentable.

  When they walked down the stairs the carriage was waiting outside the front door.

  And so was their Escort!

  The two soldiers from Opava looked very different to those from the Palace, although it was obvious that the Count had tried to smarten them up.

  Zoleka felt that at least the people in the City would be aware that they were seeing something unusual.

  She was not mistaken.

  The moment they moved from the park in front of the Palace and into the streets, the children pointed at them.

  People walking on the pavement stopped to stare, but Zoleka noticed that nobody waved or cheered, as they would have done if she had been at home.

  She herself always waved to the crowd and they all waved back and small boys would run beside the carriage trying to keep up with the horses.

  It was quite a long way through the crowded streets to reach the shopping centre.

  Zoleka looked out from the carriage and hoped that at least tonight the people of Krnov would be talking about their Princess Udele.

  The carriage stopped outside a large shop and quite a number of pedestrians stopped to stare out of curiosity.

  As Udele and Zoleka climbed out of their carriage, she became aware that they did not know who the young girl might be.

  There were no cries of ‘good luck’.

  Because the Palace messenger had been sent ahead, the manager of the shop was waiting to receive them.

  He bowed politely to Udele and Zoleka and then he asked which department they wished to visit.

  “We wish to view your best and smartest clothes,” said Zoleka. “Princess Udele is now eighteen and you will understand that she must be dressed appropriately. I am sure that
you have beautiful clothes which will enhance her natural beauty.”

  The manager gasped.

  Despite the word he had received from the Palace, he had not really understood what was required.

  Now, almost shaking with excitement, he took the two Princesses straight up to the first floor and sent for the manageress of each department.

  It took them nearly two hours to buy what Zoleka thought was just a foundation of what would be eventually required for her Royal trousseau.

  Udele was overcome.

  “I never dreamed I would ever own any clothes so beautiful or so many of them,” she whispered to Zoleka. “Do you think Papa will be willing to pay for them?”

  “I think he will be delighted that you look so smart and pretty.”

  She thought privately that Prince Majmir might just be difficult at having to pay the bill out of the Privy Purse.

  If so she was sure that the Prime Minister would contribute towards it.

  After all to build up the prestige of the Royal Family was as important as providing an Army with more soldiers and more guns.

  When they left, the manager of the store, bowing again, thanked them both profusely for their visit.

  Even at such short notice he provided two bouquets which he presented to each of the Princesses and promised that everything they had ordered would be delivered to the Palace as quickly as possible.

  As they drove away, Udele was rapturous.

  “That was fantastic! You do not think Papa will be angry?”

  “I see no reason for him to say very much about it. He has to get used to seeing you look pretty and attractive and naturally grown up and sophisticated.”

  Udele laughed.

  “He cannot expect me to remain a child for ever.”

  Zoleka nearly replied that that was exactly what he had done.

  Then she told herself that would be unkind, so to change the subject, she said,

  “Now we have to wonder who the Count will have asked to dinner tonight. You must wear the prettiest gown we have chosen today for you to make your grand entrance into the Social world.”

  She only hoped as they drove on that this was true.

  Not only did the streets they were driving through look poor and dilapidated, so did the people.

  If the Prussians were watching and contemplating taking Krnov over, this would surely be their moment.

  In her heart Zoleka feared that there would be little opposition even from the Krnovians themselves.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  When eventually they did arrive back at the Palace, Zoleka and Udele had a quiet luncheon with Anton Bauer.

  There was no sign of the Count or of Pieter Seitz.

  Once luncheon was over there was a message from the Prime Minister.

  It said that he would be honoured if Princess Zoleka could come to his office in the Parliament building that afternoon.

  Zoleka ordered the carriage again and asked Udele to ensure that the Music room was tidy and cleaned for the evening.

  “I should also look at the ballroom,” she suggested, “in case the Count asks more guests than we expect. And do see there are flowers everywhere as it will look very bare otherwise.”

  The Princess ran off delighted, Zoleka thought, at being able to issue orders at last, something she had not been able to do when she was stuck up in the schoolroom.

  The Parliament building was not very far from the Palace and on her arrival Zoleka was taken to the Prime Minister’s private room where he was waiting for her.

  Once he had greeted her effusively and they were alone, he began,

  “I do apologise for asking Your Royal Highness to come to me, but I was a little nervous that what we have to say to each other might be overheard in the Palace.”

  “Who would you suspect might be interested in our discussion?” Zoleka asked him.

  She thought for the moment that the Prime Minister was not going to answer, as he might feel it was a mistake to say too much.

  Then he answered her,

  “I feel the Lord Chamberlain is very hostile to any innovations either at the Palace or in the country.”

  “I thought exactly the same and, although it may be difficult to contemplate, you should get rid of him.”

  The Prime Minister made a small helpless gesture with his hands.

  “The Lord Chamberlain, as you know, is appointed by the reigning Monarch and I am certain that His Royal Highness will not be interested enough to dispose of him.”

  “Of course you do realise without my saying it that the current situation here is extremely dangerous?”

  “I realise it only too well, Your Royal Highness. I cannot imagine how they could possibly allow the Army to be run down as they have and, apart from anything else, the fortifications are crumbling.”

  “That is exactly what my father was afraid I might find and if you will tell me exactly how bad it is, he intends to appeal to Prince Vaslov of Cieszyn to help us.”

  The Prime Minister started and sat upright.

  “Prince Vaslov!” he exclaimed. “That is indeed such excellent news. He has achieved so very much for his own country that I believe the Prussians are almost frightened of him.”

  “If they are frightened of anyone!”

  “I am seriously impressed with the Count’s idea of recruiting men into the Cavalry, but we do need even more men in the Infantry.”

  “I think you should talk in detail to the Count about the problem. He seems full of ideas and, as he is so young and enthusiastic, he will appeal to all of those in the country who are out of work and as a consequence feeling hard up.”

  “That is indeed so,” replied the Prime Minister. “I have been worrying as to what I can do about it.”

  He gave a sigh before he continued,

  “The Generals are all old and have no intention of giving themselves any more work. Although I have placed a large order for more weapons, I cannot help wondering who will use them.”

  This was plain speaking and Zoleka was silent for a moment until she proposed,

  “For the time being, until my father can persuade Prince Vaslov to join us, I suggest that you should talk to the Count.”

  “I will certainly do so,” the Prime Minister agreed.

  “The Count is also concentrating on cheering up the Palace. We are to have a dinner party tonight and a dance afterwards. I like to think in a way that this might prevent the Prussians from thinking we are particularly worried.”

  “You are absolutely correct, Your Royal Highness. News from the Palace will carry swiftly over the City and to those outside it.”

  Zoleka thought for a moment.

  “I think I should send Pieter Seitz back to report to my father immediately. I will also ask him to send us more horses, which I am sure the Count will require, unless you have enough here in Krnov?”

  “Knowing very well how magnificent your father’s horses are, I would not think of comparing ours with them and we would be very grateful for any additions to those we already have.”

  “I will pass on the request to my father at once and now please will you help me in another matter?”

  The Prime Minister looked a little surprised.

  “Of course, Your Royal Highness, I will certainly do anything you want.”

  “There is going to be a very large bill for the new clothes which Princess Udele simply must have. She must no longer look as if she is still in the schoolroom.

  “If the Lord Chamberlain is tiresome, can I send the bill to you? After all to bring her out as a debutante and dress her fashionably as a Princess is, I believe, definitely a weapon against the enemy!”

  The Prime Minister laughed.

  “Your way of persuading me is quite different from anything I have experienced before. Of course I will cope with the bills if there is any trouble at the Palace. What you are now doing, Your Royal Highness, is exactly what I have believed for some time is so very necessary for the salvation o
f Krnov and I am most grateful.”

  They smiled at each other.

  And then Zoleka drove back to the Palace.

  *

  She sent first for Pieter Seitz.

  “As it is such a lovely afternoon,” she said when he came hurrying into the room, “I suggest that we walk in the garden.”

  She recognised by the expression in his eyes that he understood why she was making this suggestion.

  “What an excellent idea, Your Royal Highness,” he replied. “There are some plants in the garden which I think are very different from ours and your father would be most interested in them.”

  They went out into the Palace garden and walked across the lawn towards the fountain.

  They were both ostensibly looking at the goldfish and admiring the drops of water falling in the sunshine like a thousand rainbows.

  Zoleka told him everything she had discussed with the Prime Minister.

  “I suppose you want me to carry the news to His Royal Highness immediately.”

  “If it is not too much for you, Pieter, as you have only just arrived, but do I think that the sooner Papa knows the situation the better.”

  “I will go now and tell the Lord Chamberlain, and anyone else who is interested, that because there are going to be many parties you need some jewellery which you did not think you would need.”

  Zoleka clapped her hands together.

  “That is very clever of you, Pieter, and actually it would be useful for me to wear a small tiara and a necklace that Papa thought was too old for me. I definitely need to feel confident and in those I shall dazzle!”

  “I will bring them back with me, so that there will be no suspicion I was going for any other reason.”

  “You can tell the Count the truth but no one else.”

  “I have already had a long discussion with him this morning. He too is extremely worried by the situation.”

  He paused for a moment as if he was considering what he should say next.

  “Last night, after you and Her Royal Highness had retired, we went into the City. No one had any idea who we were and we circulated among the men drinking in the bars or talking to each other in the main Square.”