Please read chapters 1 – 25 first if you have not done so. This is not a stand-alone story. Link to other chapters in comments.
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“Are you sure they will let us in,” Mirja whispered, then a giggle bubble up from nowhere.
The sparkling wine had gone straight to her head. It was the first time she had tasted anything like it. And it was wonderful.
“Just leave the talking to me,” Leopold said as they walked up to the guards.
The two armed men stood on each side of the heavy oaken door, staring straight ahead. As Mirja and Leopold approached, the guards put their hands on the hilts of their swords. Still not looking at either of them.
“The lady and I would want to see the throne room. My uncle, the archduke Wissgretch, would be most dissatisfied if he heard that we could not gain access.”