Chapter 2. A Dream
19 September 1937, Bucharest, Romania
That morning, Crown Prince Mihai seemed deeply troubled by something.
The sixteen years old prince lived a secluded life in the royal residence Casa Nouă, with almost no friends and little to no emotional support from his family.
- His father, King Carol II, was a tyrant with no love for his son whom he had dethroned seven years before.
- Carol's mistress, Magda Lupescu, was hated by Mihai who saw in her the root of his misfortunes.
- His mother, Queen Elena, was living in exile in Fiesole where he visited her for two months per year.
- He had no siblings.
- His terminally ill grandmother, Queen Mother Maria, was living the last months of her life in the Balcic Palace in Southern Dobruja.
- His uncle, Prince Nicolae, was living in exile in Switzerland.
- His aunt, Queen Mother Maria of Yugoslavia, was living with her family in Belgrade.
- His aunt, Princess Ileana, was living in exile in Vienna.
- His aunt, Princess Elisabeta, was living in Bucharest and she was the only relative of Mihai whom he could talk to, despite the fact that she didn't love him very much and was close to his father.
Mihai called his aunt and told her that he wanted to discuss a sensitive issue with her. Elisabeta replied that she was going to visit them in the afternoon anyway and that they would have plenty of time for a private chat after her short meeting with Carol.
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Mihai: "So, Aunt Lizzy, I had a dream last night... It was a very clear, vivid dream... A very beautiful young princess whom I liked very much..."
Elisabeta (smiling): "It's the hormones, my dear. You should find a nice peasant girl to fuck and these dreams will go away..."
Despite being very well aware of his aunt's occasional vulgarity, Mihai was still taken aback by the sudden profanity.
Mihai (blushing): "No, Aunt Lizzy, it was not that kind of dream. It seemed so real... I am sure that that princess really exists. I'd like you to help me find her..."
Elisabeta: "Fine, let's say I believe you. But there are thousands of young princesses out there, you need to be more specific."
Mihai: "She looks a little younger than me. And her name is Anne... I heard her mother calling her. And they live in Paris... I saw the Eiffel Tower in the background."
Elisabeta: "That's much better, Mihai. There surely can't be too many young princesses called Anne in Paris, isn't that so? Well, I'll do a little research and I'll call you if I have news. Happy?"
Mihai: "Thanks, Aunt Lizzy, you are the best!"
20 September 1937, Bucharest, Romania
Elisabeta: "Hello, Mihai... You know what? I found the girl! My God, I couldn't believe it! You were right! She's fourteen and she's lovely. Princess Anne of Bourbon-Parma, the daughter of Prince René and Princess Margaret of Denmark. My God!"
Mihai: "Thank you, Aunt Lizzy."
Elisabeta: "I can call her mother and invite them here at a ball or something..."
Mihai: "Would you do that for me, Aunt Lizzy?"
Elisabeta: "Sure, you are my favourite nephew, don't you know that? I'll have to check with your father first but, don't worry, I know how to handle him..."
20 September 1937, Saint-Maurice, Val-de-Marne, France
Elisabeta: "Hello. I'm Elisabeth of Romania. Cousin¹ Margaret, is that you?"
1. All European royals were related to each other and they often called each other "cousin". Michael and Anne were second cousins once removed (7 degrees of separation; 1.563% common DNA).
Margaret (shocked): "Elisabeth of Romania?..."
Anne jumped from her seat, almost knocking her plate off the table, and sat down besides her mother on the sofa, listening intently to their conversation.
Elisabeta: "Yes, we met at your cousin's wedding in Copenhagen..."
Margaret: "Of course I know who you are, cousin. It's just that I wasn't expecting your call."
Elisabeta: "You know, I'm actually a little ashamed to tell you this but I thought it was so sweet... My nephew Michael described your daughter Anne from a dream of his... Margaret, are you still there?..."
Margaret went pale and almost dropped the receiver. Anne blushed and smiled widely.
Margaret: "I'm sorry, cousin, I'm not feeling very well. Please, speak with my husband."
Margaret passed the receiver to an equally bewildered René, composed herself and asked Anne to follow her in another room.
Anne: "But, Mother..."
Margaret: "Now, Anne!"
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Margaret: "Young lady, you should tell me right now what is going on here."
Anne: "But I don't understand... I am so happy. Why aren't you happy for me?"
Margaret: "Because I don't believe in coincidences. You told us two days before that you would marry Prince Michael and now his aunt calls and talks about a purported dream of his which included you. Did you contact Prince Michael or his family in any way?"
Anne (angry): "No, Mother! I didn't! Please, believe me..." (crying) "I just made a wish and the wish is beginning to come true, that's all. It must be...
fate."
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Margaret: "René?"
René: "That's really odd... We are invited to attend a ball in Bucharest next Sunday. It seems that Prince Michael is really determined to meet Anne as soon as possible..."
Margaret: "Two children, who live a continent apart and, presumably, have never met or spoken to each other, suddenly decide, at the same time, that they fancy each other... Yes, that's really odd..."
Anne (exuberant): "It may be odd but it's wonderful!"
Thank you, Elaine!
References:
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