C2 Chapter 2

After he’d left Cecilie, Alexander Paladin joined the gentlemen of the King’s Council. He couldn’t help noticing that they were most annoyed at his long absence. While he’d been away, King Christian IV himself had arrived in the chamber and when he saw this, Alexander decided to take the bull by the horns and turned directly to address the King.

“Your Majesty: May I kindly request an audience when this Council is adjourned?” he asked, making a formal bow.

“Granted,” answered the King as he inclined his head slightly, giving his troubled cavalier an inquisitive look.

The Council of War resumed its deliberations and the King listened patiently to all the varying shades of opinion that were expressed by its members. He was very keen to intervene in the growing war between Catholics and Protestants in Germany and made no secret of the fact that he was looking for supporters in this. Something approaching a consensus for this policy seemed to be in the offing but the meeting stopped short of an outright final approval of the move. The King clearly felt that he’d almost reached the objective he sought and had gained sufficient support for the interim measures he wished to take. As soon as the discussions had finished, he asked Alexander Paladin to join him in an anteroom.

“So please tell me, Marquis Alexander, what’s on your mind?” They were both fully aware that Alexander’s life depended on the outcome of the trial in four days’ time. The King clearly understood that the request for an audience was directly linked to this matter.

“Your Majesty,” Alexander said awkwardly, “I’m to begin a preparatory march with my troops to Holstein within this week. With so little time at my disposal, I’m asking Your Majesty’s permission to marry at once. Tomorrow perhaps if arrangements can be made.”

The King’s eyebrows had risen skyward and for a fleeting moment his expression was one of utter astonishment. Then, with a visible effort, His Majesty regained his composure. “And whom do you intend to marry?” he asked slowly.

“Baroness Cecilie Meiden.”

A flicker of amusement appeared in the King’s eyes. “Of course! My wife’s Norwegian lady-in-waiting, or I should say, our children’s governess. I’ve noticed that she’s a delightful girl – and talented! Her maternal grandfather was none other than the legendary Tengel whose hands had the power to heal. We never met him but our people in Norway couldn’t praise him more highly. But what’s the noble rank of this family? Meidens – ah yes! There have been several examples of this kind in legion within the family. You’ve enjoyed the company of Miss Meiden for some time, haven’t you?”

“Since first she came to Court, Your Majesty. Yes, it’s been four or five years now.”

“Indeed!” exclaimed King Christian, who was standing at the window of the anteroom, looking through the small glass panes at nothing in particular. His expression had suddenly become one of triumph, which he didn’t trouble to conceal – and nobody but Alexander knew the reason for this.

As usual, the King was locked in a quarrel with his wife, Kirsten Munk, and again, as usual, the root cause lay in her less than discreet flirtations with other men. At one time she’d even tried to win over Alexander Paladin – who was widely acknowledged to be an extremely attractive man – but that was before she’d heard the rumours whispered about him. When approached, Alexander had told her off in no uncertain terms and given her a very cold shoulder. He’d reminded her that she was married to Christian IV, their King.

The King happened to overhear this conversation and when, like Potiphar’s wife in the Biblical story of Joseph and his coat of many colours, Kirsten Munk became angry at being slighted, she came to her husband to accuse Alexander of trying to seduce her. But Christian himself was able to deny the accusation by telling her he’d overheard everything Alexander had said to her.

Kirsten Munk was able to extricate herself from this awkward situation only by arguing that she had actually been testing the strength of Paladin’s loyalty to the King. But from that moment on, she became Alexander’s sworn enemy. Indeed, the reason for much of her hateful animosity towards Cecilie was because Alexander was so often to be found in the company of the young Norwegian noblewoman. Apparently, he preferred her companionship to that of Kirsten. This was something the beautiful royal found intolerable, and she was determined to prove that Alexander cared nothing for women. These were the complex thoughts and reasons that lay behind King Christian’s smile.

Still smiling mischievously, he turned to his cavalier and said: “We’re happy to grant your request, Marquis Alexander. But we insist that you’re married in our newly decorated chapel at Frederiksborg with all pomp and ceremony!”

‘And what a magnificent victory over Kirsten that will be!’ the King thought to himself.

‘Good heavens,’ thought Alexander on the other hand.

This was all rather sudden, and everything would have to be managed at very short notice.

“Will there be time?” Alexander asked aloud in a hesitant tone. “We decided to marry because I’ll shortly be saying goodbye to Cecilie. It’s unfortunate that Baroness Meiden’s family won’t have the opportunity to attend.”

“There’ll be plenty of time!” roared the King. “In any case, your fiancée will be leaving for Frederiksborg, won’t she? My dear Paladin, please allow us to arrange everything with our director of the Royal Household.”

If it hadn’t been for the need to observe etiquette and decorum, King Christian would have been rubbing his hands with glee. Nowadays, his affection for Kirsten Munk was only superficial. She was a very elegant and attractive woman – something of which she was well aware – and it was her beauty alone that still captivated the King. The deeper marital bonds of companionship, however, had long since been broken.

In fact, one courtier had described Kirsten Munk in the following terms: “She’s a delightful, beautiful woman with a robust figure, rounded, sensual features and fair hair. She may risk becoming very large as she gets older. Full of vitality and eager to flatter, she takes part in entertainment, play and dance with great passion. Impetuous, whimsical and uncontrolled, she’s also intensely erotic. And avaricious. Far from being a caring mother, she makes much of the differences between her children. But she has surprised everyone by announcing that it’s her intention to join her husband when he marches against Germany, if this war comes to anything ...”

This was probably a very apt description of a highly unusual woman. She had many admirers, but her fiery temperament also meant that she had just as many critics and enemies. However, most people suspected that in spite of their marital differences, King Christian continued to retain a bitter, yet faithful, devotion to his unusual spouse.

“Yes, indeed, we’ll do it!” shouted the King. “We’ll arrange a glorious, great wedding for you in the chapel, Marquis!”

Although he was a bit taken aback by the King’s sudden decision, Alexander smiled with genuine gratitude and bowed deeply to thank him for his consideration and generosity.

***

A few days later, Cecilie was sitting at a beautiful desk in her bedroom at Gabrielshus, the manor of the Paladin Family near Frederiksborg. She was still wearing her beautiful, antique wedding dress as she wrote a letter to her her mother, Liv, at Graastensholm. Her hand was shaking slightly as she wrote and this broke the flow of the words from time to time.

Dearest mother and father,

I have so much to tell you that I am at a loss to know where to begin! I am so sad that you, all my most beloved family, are not here today – but time has been so short. Alexander is off to war - it is so awful for men to fight and maybe even die so unnecessarily ...

She broke off and read what she had written. “Oh dear!” she thought, “this letter is such a mess. What will they think of me at home?” However, with a flourish, she finished the muddled sentence quickly and continued in a more controlled hand, determined to express herself more clearly:

Only two days have passed since Alexander Paladin asked for my hand! I accepted with all my heart because he is a very fine man and a good friend. But the ceremony had to take place at once before he leaves for war, and there has been no time to get a message to you even less to hold the wedding at Graastensholm – which would have been the right thing to do.

Ah, if only you could have been here! My dear Mother and Father, Tarald and Yrja, we were married today, and His Majesty the King insisted that we hold the service in his chapel at Frederiksborg, his favourite castle. It was all very grand! The King and his Court were in attendance, with all the little royal children except for Elisabeth Augusta, the youngest one. They looked so sweet and serious. My two charges, whom I love the most – the unhappy Anna Katrine and the self-reliant Leonora Christina – were allowed to join us in the chancel ...

Cecilie was still feeling breathless and overwhelmed by the speed of events. She stopped and put down her quill to look back over the day. She could still see Alexander’s warm calm eyes watching her as she stood shyly at his side in front of the altar. His barely perceptible smile showed he was aware of the pretence and charade in which they were taking part. Even so, he looked so handsome, dressed in his colourful uniform.

Anxious and overcome with emotion, Cecilie had begun to shake as they kneeled side by side, in front of such a distinguished congregation. But as soon as Alexander had taken her hand in his firm grip, her trembling stopped. She was unable to hide her surprise as the chaplain royal read aloud Alexander’s list of titles. There were names and references to Schwarzburg, Lüneburg, Göttingen, Gottorp, mentions of Marquis, Count, Duke and other lesser titles and many other distinguished associations. Cecilie felt so insignificant by comparison. Who was this man she was about to marry? Her own minor title, Baroness Cecilie Meiden of the Ice People, seemed very short by comparison.

A little later, after the ceremony was over, came the most unexpected moment of all.

While they were enjoying a magnificent banquet at a table at which the King was also seated, Alexander’s colleagues began to call for him to kiss the new bride. As she recalled the fury she’d seen in Alexander’s dark eyes at that moment, Cecilie didn’t notice that her pen had made a blot on the leather top of the desk. In fact, his eyes had turned jet black with exasperation, but his anger had subsided when he noticed how disappointed she looked. His expression had quickly softened and he’d reached out his hand to her and lifted her gently to her feet. He had then placed his arms around her, kissing her gently and sensuously to roars of approval. But they both knew that it was merely a show. At that moment, she’d told herself: “Now he really does detest me,” and she’d stood rooted to the spot for a long moment, scarcely able to move.

If only it had been a few months earlier, she thought – before she’d found out about his secret. Then she’d probably have felt joyously weak and ecstatically happy at being kissed by him. Now there was only a sense of despair and discomfort. Still, the whole Court had cheered and applauded wildly for a long time except for Kirsten Munk, whose down-turned mouth had portrayed her acid contempt. In that moment, a fleeting malicious thought came to Cecilie: “If you bite into an old crab-apple often enough, you soon start to look like one.”

Alexander had explained the reason why Kirsten Munk disliked her with such intensity, and the story had amused Cecilie. Even though she knew she’d never have Alexander to herself, it was obvious that they understood each other very well and realised how important they were to each other in their different ways. This meant that they would always have good reason to stand together – just so long as they weren’t forced to extremes in circumstances like that public wedding kiss. It was easy for Cecilie to imagine the wilful Miss Kirsten’s rage when Alexander snubbed her, and just as easy to understand why she looked for every possible opportunity to draw attention to his perverse weakness. Any success in that direction would always comfort her pride and revenge her “defeat.”

Cecilie woke suddenly from her daydreams, looked down at the half-finished letter, and began a spirited description of the beautiful royal wedding dress she’d borrowed, all the glittering finery of the Court and how beautifully the chapel had been decorated.

She heard the heavy oak door being opened and turned to see Alexander standing there. She hadn’t expected him because he’d given the bridal chamber to her and chosen an adjoining room for himself.

The immense four-poster bed had been decorated and made ready for the wedding night with the finest embroidered linen, a heavy silk eiderdown, and a beautifully embroidered bedspread made especially for a bride’s bed. There were freshly cut flowers in the room and a table laid out with wine and every possible delicacy for the newlyweds to enjoy.

In the middle of this great display of luxury, Cecilie stared at Alexander. He was wearing a striking nightgown and in the warm glow of candlelight he looked almost irresistible.

With an apologetic grin he said: “I realised that it wouldn’t give the right impression if the bed in the next room had been slept in on our wedding night.”

“No – no, of course not,” stammered Cecilie. “You’re right. But what had you thought ...”

“I was thinking that I could sleep on the large chair here,” he said lightly, “so long as you’ve no objection.”

“You mean right now? Are you tired?”

“Not at all – I’m wide awake.”

“So am I – then let’s sit and pass the time together.”

“Good idea,” he grinned again. “But ...” he hesitated, “but we ought to make use of the bed in some way or other.”

“Yes,” she agreed. “Maybe we could play a game?”

Alexander pulled a face. “The only game I approve of is chess – but that’s not a game for women.”

“Why not? I know all the moves!”

“Good heavens!” he replied. “That’s just about the worst thing you can say to a passionate chess player. What’s more, the few women I know who have tried to play chess lacked the patience to carefully think through their moves properly. They want to finish as quickly as possible. Then they bother us all the time with questions like: “Will you soon be finished?” and play heedlessly." He paused and gave her an ironic smile. “So who, may I ask, has taught you the moves?”

“My Dad – there was nobody else for him to play against at home at one time so it fell to me to entertain him.”

“Oh, well. I suppose we can suffer the misery of one game.”

He knew at once where to find the chess board and pieces and set them out with great precision. The exquisite pieces and inlaid board were made of decorated ivory and mother of pearl. “This all comes from the East Indies,” he explained, “The Danish company out there. Now I warn you, Cecilie! I shan’t play ‘nicely’ just to let you win.”

“Nor would I expect you to show any such mercy.”

“Excellent,” he said appreciatively but he pulled a wry face, indicating that he knew the game would be nothing more than a quick bloodbath.

While Cecilie was examining the pieces, admiring them one by one, Alexander glanced over at the desk. “You were writing a letter. To your parents, I suppose?”

“Yes,” she replied and quickly went and turned the paper face down. “Although we now are man and wife, the time isn’t yet right for us to share too many confidences.”

“I have no intention of reading it,” he said, sounding slightly offended.

Cecilie cursed her clumsiness. “Please forgive me,” she said with frank honesty. “I’ll get better at this, I promise.”

He gave her a brief, faintly sad smile and turned his attention to the game. The board was placed at the centre of the enormous bed between them and they lay comfortably, facing one another across the chessmen.

“Shouldn’t you take that off, now the ceremony is over?” Alexander gestured with one hand towards Cecilie’s extravagant wedding dress.

“Of course, how thoughtless of me.”

He waited while Cecilie went into a side chamber and changed into her lace-trimmed nightgown. She pulled the ribbon anxiously around the collar a little tighter in order to show less cleavage before she returned to her bedroom.

Alexander’s eyes were very expressive as he watched her approach the bed. They seemed to say: “You look beautiful – very pretty and attractive – but you needn’t have tightened that ribbon quite so prudishly. I wouldn’t have been tempted.”

She wasn’t absolutely certain that those were the sentiments behind his gaze but that was how she chose to interpret his expression.

Neither Cecilie nor Alexander said anything about their strange situation on their wedding night, and so they began to play. After just a few moves, Cecilie quickly understood what Alexander wanted to achieve from the way he’d positioned his queen and one bishop. It was an attempt at what was known as “fool’s mate” – the swift and merciless defeat of a beginner. But Cecilie was well founded in this strategy and she avoided the trap silently and with ease. Alexander’s own expression gave nothing away. He probably thought that she was too ignorant to notice his intentions and that she’d managed to move the correct piece to parry him purely by luck.

When his first strike proved unsuccessful, Alexander followed the usual tactic of putting his queen in a new, equally dangerous position. But Cecilie recognised his move. She had tried to trick her dad with it many times and Alexander’s strategy didn’t prove difficult for her.

He continued to press home his attack, trying to beat her quickly and decisively. So Cecilie was busy parrying and countering, and had no chance to move her pieces into attacking positions as she would have liked.

While Alexander was contemplating his next move, in an attempt to distract her he said: “In a conversation with me, His Majesty mentioned your maternal grandfather, Mr. Tengel. You’ve spoken of him to me before. He must have been a unique person?”

Cecilie didn’t reply immediately. By his conversational interjection, Alexander had given her just the short breathing space she needed. In an instant she was able to work out a fresh ploy in her mind.

“Mr. Tengel was certainly very special,” she replied at last, moving out her second knight to a new position. “I worshipped him. Sadly he died while I was here in Denmark. I believe he took his own life – and Grandma Silje’s as well.”

“What do you mean?”

“I think he did, but I don’t know for sure. Maybe it was the grief he suffered because of my nephew, Kolgrim. He’s a child of our kin burdened with the family’s evil curse ...”

As she thought and spoke of Kolgrim for the first time, which she hadn’t done for some weeks, she felt a disturbing sensation. “With that in mind, Alexander, I suppose there’s a slight chance – a slight one – that the child I’m carrying may also be cursed.”

Alexander was taken by surprise by this disturbing statement and moved a pawn which he should have left alone.

“Check,” said Cecilie calmly.

He swore softly and retrieved the situation.

“Can you tell me more about this evil curse? I’ve heard about it but I don’t know enough.”

“You will have heard of our evil forefather, who cast a spell over all his kin. Ever since then, almost every generation has had a child that has inherited the curse. There was a witch by the name of Hanna whom Mum and Dad knew when they were children, and an uncle, Grimar. My mum’s dad was of the next generation.”

“So he was one of the accursed?”

“Oh, yes. But he resisted the curse with great determination and turned his powers into doing good. He used his extraordinary skills to help people. He was an outstanding man.”

“And then? Who followed him?”

“In my parents’ generation? It was the infamous Sol, my mum’s cousin.”

Alexander smiled. “Ah, yes! We’ve heard of Sol. But what of your family now?”

“Among the grandchildren of Tengel, you mean?”

Cecilie paused to think and forgot about the chess game. “It’s strange – but there’s nobody. My favourite rogue, Kolgrim, belongs to the latest generation. And because there’s already one born, I don’t think that the child I’m carrying will be tainted. But in my generation? Sometimes I think it could be me, but I haven’t discovered that I’ve any special talents.”

“But you do,” was Alexander’s dry response. “You play chess like a man. And that’s a compliment.”

“Maybe a dubious one,” she replied lightly.

Cecilie firmly believed that women were every bit the equal of men and although she’d rarely made this view known publicly, she nevertheless held it with great conviction privately.

“If only you knew how many times I’ve held back from shouting: ‘Will you soon be finished?’” she said with a mischievous grin.

Alexander smiled at her wit and nodded towards the board. “I think it’s your turn to move ...”

“Yes, I know ... Anyway, let me just finish. What I was going to say was that the ‘chosen ones’ among the Ice People are able to predict things – or they’ve other supernatural powers. Or sometimes they’re just plain evil. Also – and this is very important – the chosen ones always have cat-like eyes: amber and green, almost glowing. I don’t have such eyes myself.”

Alexander reached over and lifted her face towards him. Looking directly into her eyes with genuine curiosity, he said: “No, these are much too dark. Besides, I haven’t noticed anything cat-like about you!”

“I know, but my reason for thinking the way I do is because everybody tells me that I look so much like the witch, Sol. Except that she was a thousand times more beautiful.”

“Now that I don’t believe,” said Alexander gallantly.

“Thank you,” she smiled. “Some of the ‘chosen ones’ are anything but beautiful! They’re almost deformed! Now Hanna and Grimar were said to be monsters. And as for Kolgrim – when he was born, it was said that he was an appalling sight! When I first met him, he was a charming young mischief-maker with a strange influence over the women of the household. Despite being a horrible child to deal with, the housemaids forgave him everything and anything! My granddad Tengel was also malformed at birth. Each of them took their mother’s life in childbirth.”

“That won’t happen with you!” exclaimed Alexander with surprising passion.

“As I said, I don’t believe that there’ll be any danger. But I do wonder about one thing.”

“And what’s that?”

“Something that grandma Silje once said when we, her grandchildren, were all with her. I heard her whisper to herself: ‘No, he must be wrong. I see no yellow eyes in any of them.’ She didn’t realise that she’d spoken out loud and didn’t mean for me to hear her.”

“So you believe that your grandpa had discovered the evil strain in one of you?”

“I’m absolutely sure that this is what she meant. But maybe she just noticed something in their eyes. Now I don’t know.”

“How many grandchildren did he have?”

"Six in all. Poor Sunniva died while she gave birth to Kolgrim. But she wasn’t his real granddaughter. She was Sol’s child and my second cousin, so I don’t think I should count her. That leaves my brother Tarald and me. Then there are my cousins, the three brothers, Tarjei, Trond and Brand.”

“Tarjei is the clever one, right? The healer? Could he be the one?”

“Well, it’s possible. But he was always granddad’s great hope. And grandma Silje was so obviously worried when she muttered those words – I find it hard to believe that Tarjei was the one she meant although he seems the most likely.”

“Check!” said Alexander.

“You snake! All this time you were talking just to distract me!”

She turned all her attention back to the board to get herself out of the tight spot and when she’d managed to change the balance, she said: “For us to have saved each other from a cruel fate by marriage is all very well. But in my anxiety I’d quite forgotten that I might be forcing an unwanted child on you.”

“On the contrary, my dear Cecilie! It’s been my greatest sadness that I’d not be able to continue the family line. This vicar would seem to have my looks besides being a good and intelligent man. You’re also a fine and clever woman so I think everything will be alright.”

“It’s kind of you to say so, Alexander. Thank you. You should know that I believe that daughters should be valued just as much as sons. However, because your distinguished family name will otherwise die with you – and this is the only chance to save it – I sincerely hope I’ll bear you a son.”

Alexander bit his lip. He didn’t answer for fear of hurting her feelings about having a girl. But he could see she understood that his main wish was the same as hers. “My sister will never believe her ears when she hears about this,” he said, changing the subject slightly.

“So you’ve got a sister? I didn’t know!”

“She lives far from here, in Jutland. She only comes to visit Gabrielshus very occasionally.”

Cecilie was somewhat surprised that Alexander had a relative she hadn’t heard about.

“Are there many more?” she asked.

“No, only Ursula. Although she’s renounced me, she has a good heart, though. This mustn’t frighten you.”

“I see. No, I’m not afraid. I’m simply giving it some thought. You say very little about your family whereas I blabber on about mine all the time.”

“That’s because they’re such a joy to you, Cecilie. I only wish I was part of such a large family.”

Instead of replying, Cecilie relieved him of one of his pawns. He retaliated by putting her in check. She quickly undid the damage without too much bother. But she realised that she couldn’t concentrate on both the conversation and the game at the same time.

“Do you want to tell me anything more about yourself?” she asked, gently.

Alexander knew exactly what she meant but he shook his head firmly. “No, I don’t! Not at present.”

They both focused on the game. Alexander poured them some wine and they drank to each other’s health, hardly taking their eyes off the pieces in front of them as they did so.

Somewhere in the house, a clock struck the hour. It was two o’clock. ‘This night will soon be gone,’ Cecilie thought to herself. But for some strange reason she was quite enjoying herself, and she told Alexander so.

His broad grin in response revealed his perfect white teeth. “Yes, so am I. Would you care for something to eat?”

“Afterwards – but first I’ll put you in checkmate.”

“Really? Then you shouldn’t leave your queen exposed in that way! For now she’s mine! No mercy!”

She’d meant to sacrifice her queen but she wasn’t going to tell him that. With a shrug, she brought her castle out of the shadows. She was a “tower player” and had been waiting for free passage for them. Alexander had fallen straight into her trap. Blind to the consequences, he gaily took her second knight.

“Goodness, Cecilie. That was careless of you. Are you getting tired?”

“No, I’m not. Are you?” she said, moving her castle again with mock casualness. “That’s check.”

He stared at the board. He was dumbfounded. “Damn!” was all he could say – and all he could do was to move his king. He had no other choice.

Cecilie’s hand was hovering over her castle, ready to deliver the death blow.

But suddenly she hesitated. She had no wish to win over Alexander on this particular night. Not him of all people – so she rather feebly moved an irrelevant pawn forward.

Alexander’s eyes widened theatrically.

“Cecilie! What I said about showing no mercy goes for you, too! I’d never forgive you if you let me win out of kindness.”

“Not kindness, Alexander, just female strategy. But have it your way. May I withdraw that last move?”

“You have to!” he said. “Not even a five-year-old would have done something so foolish as to move that pawn when I can be totally beaten in three moves!”

She obligingly moved her pawn to its former position and brought out her castle.

“Check again,” she murmured.

Alexander thought for a long time; a very long time. Cecilie studied in great detail his attractive well-formed hands and the pattern of the brocade on his nightshirt. She noticed absentmindedly that the candles in the candelabra had burned rather low.

His position was desperate but he wasn’t going to surrender. After much consideration he believed he’d found a way out – by means of a daring tactic!

“Aha!” said Cecilie. “How clever you are, Alexander!”

“Don’t be spiteful,” he said although he was clearly proud of his move. Not only had it provided some respite, it had also given him the opportunity to develop an attacking strategy later on – if he managed his game properly. If he lost a number of important pieces, well, that couldn’t be helped.

She’d carried out something of a massacre, but now it was Cecilie’s turn to stop and think. Their positions were absolutely locked.

In order to move the game forward, she took a pawn. It was a mistake but she was worried that Alexander would become impatient with her for taking so long. And now she’d put her beloved castle in danger. But manoeuvring swiftly, she managed to save her favourite piece. Thirty minutes later they each had only a few pieces left in play and they were at stalemate.

With a loud yawn, Cecilie stretched out lazily on the bed. “I’m sorry, Alexander, but long drawn-out endings always bore me. Shall we call it a draw?”

“Yes, as you say,” he agreed. “Thank you for an excellent match, Cecilie! For a while, I was very much afraid that I’d lose, and I couldn’t have endured that – not after my arrogant outburst at the start!”

Cecilie smiled inwardly. Although she could have made it checkmate a couple of times, she’d never really wanted to defeat him. On each occasion she’d stopped herself in time. It was good to be sharp-witted, but one shouldn’t go too far – well, not always.

Instead of revealing these facts, she simply said “It did take a long time though, didn’t it? I’m really hungry now! And it’s the middle of the night. This is positively indecent!”

“But most sensible,” Alexander replied, smiling warmly. He put away the chess pieces and then brought some food over to the bed. ’He’s evidently considerate and reliable,’ she thought.

For a while they said nothing as they ate and drank, enjoying the bond of friendship, understanding the purpose that was growing ever more powerful between them.

Cecilie sensed that Alexander had been pondering something quietly inside his head during the long silence, but she was taken aback when, without any warning, he declared vehemently: “My life has been hell, Cecilie!”

‘Oh,’ she thought to herself, ‘he’s going to tell me! He wants to tell me. Just me. I hope I’ll be worthy of his trust.’

She could feel her heart beating hard inside her chest. As she waited for him to speak further, she felt nervous and excited at once.