on the back of her chair.
“Maybe the young Queen could enlighten you on her thoughts regarding
marriage?” The Grand Duke said and looked at Duke William.
William looked surprised by the suggestion and studied Joanna like he would
hold a candle up to her and scrutinize her past.
“If she is so inclined, I would welcome Queen Joanna’s thoughts regarding the
issue,” William said in a serious tone.
“What does a Queen like yourself look for in a suitor?” the Grand Duke asked
her as he picked up his cane from the corner and steadied himself.
“I am hardly an authority on the matter.” She tried to deflect the question.
“But you were married so you must have an opinion. My great nephew has
never been and being young, he may be so inclined to listen to what you will say.”
“Great Uncle, it is true that I was married before and since my husband’s
untimely death, I barely speak of it as it causes me pain. If you must press me, I
would answer; I think men and women should be free to decide for themselves a
matter so personal as whom they desire to marry.”
Duke William smiled. He knew her well enough by now to expect a surprise.
The Grand Duke of Cline had not expected her to answer in this fashion.
“I understand the romantic woman, but what of the ruler in you, Queen Joanna?
Now that you are a queen, you surely see that a ruler has to secure the proper
alliance.” The old man moved his right foot and both hands rested on the cane.
“It is true that we all must govern as best we can but to think of marriage as
something reduced to a requirement for proper ruling, I think you missed the point
of it. I doubt that you, uncle, had to put aside your heart’s desires when you met
your lovely late wife?”
“Oh, my wife was the finest woman! Yes, Queen Joanna, you have made your
point. Yet I still think a kingdom must be ruled properly, and when a royal must
marry, then the entire scope of the magnitude of the alliance must be weighed.”
“It is true that marriage is more than an alliance, Great Uncle,” started the Duke
of Seine. “However, the Queen must admit that when one thinks of all that must be
considered when a ruler marries, it is about more than one person. It is an entire