2 weeks had passed, and Hetty had no idea what to do.
Getting through her mother's funeral was bad enough, but the expected news from the stupid advisors had made it worse.
Per her mother's will, she would publicly assume the throne in 2 months, and if she didn't find a husband before then, her team of advisors would rule beside her.
At her mother's funeral, Granger slipped her a note that said:
'Please know this: I'm not going anywhere. If you want to talk, or sneak off somewhere, just let me know. I love you, Hetty, and if you want me to, I will be your king. That special gift I bought for you was the most beautiful diamond ring I had ever seen.
She paused for a couple of minutes after reading it the first time. Then she told Luke that she needed time to think.
Who to choose? The Duke who would make her look good in her advisors and the press's eyes? Or the Prince who she knew deep down inside she had fallen in love with who had been gone for over a year to make himself worthy in their eyes?
Meeting with the advisors.
'What kind of ruler would Duke Kilbride be?' Hetty asked.
'A stern, but good one.' Advisor Thomas said.
'A reasonable one.' Advisor 2 said.
'The safe choice.' Advisor 3 said.
'But would he love me?'
'Yes.' All said in unison.
The speed of their answers didn't give Hetty a good feeling.
'Look Princess, if you're still thinking of marrying for love, give it up. An arranged marriage isn't the worst thing in the world, and it would save all of us from having to explain to everyone why their future queen doesn't have a husband.' Thomas started.
'Oh to hell with all of that! I'm tired of doing what is expected of me from you lot. You want me to have a husband? Fine, I'll give you a king. A week from now, the Duke and the Prince of Birkdale will battle it out in a duel, and whoever the winner is will be your king.' Hetty declared.
Everyone went silent.
'Princess, you cannot be serious! This has never been done before in our kingdom's history!'
'I am deadly serious. Send out the declarations to both men, and if they accept, I will tell the press myself. Good, day.' Then she left the room.
Both suitors accepted the challenge.