[2] The Queen Mother of Württemberg | A. Bridgerton

Chapter 15

Moving Forward

New Palace, Stuttgart
A month ago...

The fire in the King of Württemberg's study crackled softly, casting long shadows across the room. The young King sat rigidly at his desk, the Viscount's letter before him. His fingers traced the embossed seal on the parchment as he re-read the German translation. His mind wrestled with the implications of the request, the emotions behind it, and what it meant for his family.

A knock at the door interrupted his thoughts. Before Wilhelm could respond, his brother entered, his brows furrowed in curiosity.

"Habt Ihr mich rufen lassen?" Paul asked, shutting the door behind him. You summoned me?

"Ja," the King gestured to the seat across from him. "Setzen Sie sich. Ich benötige Eure Meinung." Sit. I need your opinion.

"Worum geht es?" Paul raised an eyebrow but obeyed, settling into the chair. What is this about? "Ihr seht aus, als würdet Ihr schon den ganzen Abend grübeln." You look as if you've been brooding all evening.

"Dieser Brief kam aus London," his brother slid the letter in English across the desk. This arrived from London. "Vom Viscount Bridgerton." From Viscount Bridgerton.

"Was möchte er?" Paul picked up the letter, his eyes scanning the English text. What does he want?

Unto His Majesty King Wilhelm I of Württemberg,

Enclosed within this envelope, you will find a word-for-word German translation of this letter.

Your Majesty,

I write to humbly request your blessing for something deeply personal. Your Majesty, I have loved your mother for as long as I can remember—since our youth, even before her union with your late father, His Majesty King Friedrich I of Württemerg. She has always been the center of my heart, the very air I breathe, and my life feels incomplete without her.

With the utmost respect, I beseech Your Majesty to grant me your blessing to marry her. I vow to make her happy, to love her, to cherish her, and to honor her for every moment of her life. Her Majesty– Charlotte is my life, my everything, and without her, I would be but a shadow of a man. Please, I implore you, do not take away my air and sentence me to live without her.

If Your Majesty grants me this blessing, I will dedicate myself not only to your mother, but also to the family she holds so dear. I promise to support her in every aspect of her life, including her role as Queen Mother of Württemberg. I would strive to be a friend and ally to Your Majesty, to His Highness Prince Paul, and to Her Majesty Queen Katharina of Westphalia, offering my aid if you so require it.

As for Her Majesty's children, Their Royal Highnesses Prince Anton and Princess Amalia, I would regard them as my own. I would love, protect, and guide them with the same devotion and care as any father would. I understand and respect their positions as Prince and Princess of Württemberg and would work with their mother to ensure their upbringing and education reflect their noble heritage.

Additionally, I recognize that upon our union, Her Majesty would also assume the title of Viscountess Bridgerton, and I will wholeheartedly support her in balancing her duties in both her roles.

Your Majesty, I am prepared to seek the blessing of Her Majesty's brother, His Royal Highness Prince George The Prince Regent, for her hand in marriage. However, I will not move forward without Your Majesty's approval. I humbly ask you to reconsider my proposal to marry your mother. I give you my word that I will devote my life to her happiness and to supporting both her and your family.