Adalbert

Part 5

Tension at the Palace increased when it became certain that Princess Irma was indeed pregnant with her third child. There had been malicious whispers adding to Ethelinda's burden but this time around, Prince Adalbert was very much aware of the issue.

To avoid running away to the Summer House, he planned a journey around the nation. He meant to introduce his wife to the people, to show her to them as she really was. To gain their support for a moral reform within the Royal Family.

He had the barber cut Linda's hair for the occasion and gave her a horse of her own, which they had received as wedding gift. Over the men's riding outfit she had made for herself, Linda wore one of Adalbert's cloaks. She did not take her bow but on her hip she carried a small dagger, a present from her oldest cousin.

Queen Helga regarded the whole thing as a revolution rather than an attempt at a reform. The King had put his seal on the endeavour because he felt guilty for not doing it himself sooner. Moreover, this served as the perfect opportunity to gather information on how the mandatory training law could be implemented.

And so, in the company of a handful of servants and plenty of guards, the Crown Prince and his wife toured the kingdom. They were greeted with song and cheer wherever they went, welcomed even by the poorest provinces. One in particular made a memorable impression.

As they rode through a village full of crippled war veterans, overcome by sadness, a single shout amidst the crowd made Princess Ethelinda straighten up in the saddle.

"Lady Linda!" the voice resounded again.

"Did you hear that?" she asked her husband.

"Yes," Adalbert replied, "and I believe the man deserves a clarification."

He tried to locate the voice and when he failed, he motioned for the procession to stop. "Who is it calling for Lady Linda? Come forth, my good friend!"

A man with a cane was brought forward by a comrade. He fell to the only knee he had left, propping his palms on the ground.

"It was I, Your Highness. This poor devil dared to call Her Ladyship's name."

Adalbert smiled. "She is no longer a Lady, my friend."

The man peered up.

"She is Crown Princess Ethelinda. Your Princess."

The man lowered his head again. "The Gods have listened to my prayers!"

"Your prayers? Do explain."

"You see, Your Highness, I fought in the West. I fought for my country and lost me leg on the frontlines. Her Ladyship-beg pardon, Her Highness was there, an angel among us cursed devils! I prayed the Gods would bless us with a Queen so kind and strong."

Tears pooled in Linda's eyes. She almost sprung off the horse to hug the man.

"I remembered her because of the hair," another man said. "You don't see women with hair so short up 'ere in the North."

"Why is that?" Linda asked. "Do you, Northern men, prefer your women long-haired?"

The men shrugged in unison.

"It don't matter if the hair is long or short," said one man whose pain had long been numbed by wine, "they all got the same cunt!"

Normally, Adalbert would have taken offence and ordered the man punished. Nowadays, however, much used to his wife's foul mouth, not even the word 'cunt' managed to faze him. Everyone save for Linda was uneasy around him, until they both burst into laughter.