The Queen Dowager of Württemberg | A. Bridgerton

Chapter 2

A Life Without You

Ludwigsburg Palace, Ludwigsburg
5 weeks later...

A few weeks have passed since the passing of King Friedrich I of Württember. The Queen Dowager has continued to accomplish the duties the current King has assigned her, and has been by all her children's side whenever she can. After a year of acting and being like their mother, she was done calling them 'her adoptive children'. To her, they were just her children. And each of them couldn't be any more grateful.

At the moment, she was with her Ladies of the Bedchamber and a few other members of the staff, arranging everything for the arrival of her daughter's betrothed: Girolamo Buonaparte, a Frenchman. Katharina finally agreed to accept his hand in marriage, after three years of knowing him. Thankfully, and eventually, they fell in love with one another, which made Charlotte really happy. And just like her late husband asked her, she will arrange Katharina's wedding.

"Mein König," Charlotte walked in her husband's study with a smile on her face. Friedrich looked up at her with a smile as he placed his pen and ink away. My King. "Oh! Es tut mir Leid. Habe ich etwas unterbrochen?" Oh! I am sorry. Did I interrupt something?

"Überhaupt nicht," he smiled back at her. Not at all. "Ich freue mich einfach dich zu sehen." I'm just happy to see you.

When the Queen approached her husband's desk, she noticed a letter written in English by a horrid handwriting, perhaps with grammatical errors as well. Her smile faded a bit, knowing the exact motive of the letter. She knew this day was coming, sooner or later, but she didn't want it to come. Ever.

"Friedrich," her tone came out slightly authoritatively. "Was ist das?" What is that?

"Read it," her husband told her in English as he handed the letter to his wife. "Bitte, meine Königin." Please, my Queen.

Friedrich knows how much she adores when he calls her that. 'Meine Königin.' My Queen. It reminds her that they live for a cause greater than themselves. They are more than a husband and a wife. They are parents to beautiful children, and are rulers to a German state. They are a team.

"Fritz," she sighed in defeat. "Katharina is too young for—"

"For a husband? No, she is not. She has come of age," he stated calmly, and sighed. "I– My apologies. Please keep reading, darling."

"Girolamo Buonaparte," Charlotte reviewed her adopted daughter's first -and hopefully last- marriage suitor so far. "Supposedly future King of Westphalia."

"I was promised he would—"

"Supposedly," she repeated firmly. "I will not allow you to marry Katharina off to meaningless speculations."

"I am not, darling. We are not doing that," he shook his head. "Lies den Brief." Read the letter.

Unto His and Her Majesty The King and Queen of Württemberg,
Through this letter, I come bearing wonderful news. I propose an alliance, through marriage, between my youngest brother, Girolamo Buonaparte, and your daughter, Princess Katharina Friederike of Württemberg. My youngest brother has the potential, the reputation, the knowledge, and the courage to be the next King of Westphalia. Your daughter Katharina would become his Queen, and together, they will rule in prosperity.
I will await for Your Majesties' response to my most gracious proposal.
Best regards,
Napoleon I, Emperor of the French

"Why did he write it in English?" She wondered, and scoffed. "His ridiculous 'most gracious proposal'."

"He does not speak German," he answered. "And he knows I do not speak French."