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Journal Entry 48
06.07.2026 I am not usually one to complain about fitness, but the King certainly pushed me this morning during the workout session with his security detail. I prefer to work out in the comfort of my own home, where it is only me, my equipment, and my music. Jonas has been encouraging me lately to be more social. He has mentioned on more than one occasion since we returned from Asia that he senses something is on my mind. You know there is. I know there is. However, it is difficult for me to express what I feel to others. I was never like this. My whole life, I would…
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Journal Entry 47
04.07.2026 I accompanied the King to a celebration at the Residenz des Botschafters der Vereinigten Staaten. The American Ambassador to Dorstenland invited Jonas to celebrate the United States’ 250th anniversary. Jonas presented the ambassador with a framed plaque congratulating the U.S. on behalf of the citizens of Dorstenland. The overcast skies and rain did not prevent the ambassador from providing his guests with a typical American cookout, complete with hot dogs, hamburgers, watermelon, and corn on the cob. While Jonas made his way from conversation to conversation with the guests, I was graciously allowed to help manage the barbecue. The planned fireworks display was cancelled due to the weather; however,…
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Journal Entry 46
03.07.2026 Late this afternoon, I hosted a gathering at my residence for friends and family to watch Dorstenland’s football team play during the FIFA World Cup 2026. I felt an overwhelming amount of empathy for Emma. She loved playing football as a center midfielder, but her days on the field ended when she was kidnapped. It remains difficult for me to even speak or write about the events that led to Emma’s paralysis. I suspect that at some point in my journal entries, I will share the details. Lately, I feel as though I am processing closure for what my family and I have been through. Removing and storing most…
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Journal Entry 45
01.07.2026 With heavy hearts, Otto, Emma, and I reluctantly packed away Karina’s personal belongings. One month from now will be six years since Karina’s body washed ashore along the Gulf of Finland. I never removed Karina’s belongings from our master bedroom. Her dresses, shirts, jewelry, everything that made my wife beautiful, remained in the same position since the day she, Otto, and Emma were kidnapped. I am not sure why it took me as long as it did to decide to move on. Perhaps somewhere in my heart, there remained hope that Karina would return home. Returning home to her children. Returning once more into my arms. As I placed…
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Journal Entry 44
29.06.2026 I arrived home this evening after a day at Parliament and felt nothing except emptiness. The house was quiet. Emma and Otto were in town enjoying their independence. Fräulein Heng was still on holiday in Singapore, and my Haushälterinnen retired from their duties for the evening. I miss Karina. Our home is not the same without her. I miss her laughs resonating through the hallways. I miss the smell of her perfume that stayed with me throughout the day after she hugged me as I rushed towards my workday. I miss cuddling Karina in bed as we fall asleep each night. I miss her sincere concern for my well-being…
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Journal Entry 43
25.06.2026 Trade talks went well with the government representatives from Vietnam, South Korea, Japan, and Malaysia. Singapore’s prime minister hosted the event at the Istana. King Jonas, Prime Minister Sabine Keller, and I were graciously provided a private tour of the presidential palace, followed by a reception with the representatives and their support staff. The King and our prime minister secured trade agreements with the representatives of their nations to purchase drones designed and manufactured in Dorstenland for commercial and military purposes. After the meetings concluded, Jonas, Sabine, and I travelled directly to Changi Airport. As I took my seat on the King’s airplane, I could not stop smiling. Jonas…
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Journal Entry 42
24.06.2026 Ich habe Singapur ins Herz geschlossen! Meeting Fräulein Heng’s family this afternoon was the pinnacle of our visit to Singapore, at least it was mine. I was honored to meet her brother, sisters, and extended family. Jonas and I soaked up stories of when Fräulein Heng was a little girl living in Singapore, and what inspired her to start a new life in Dorstenland. Fräulein Heng and her brother served us chicken curry that they made from scratch. Fräulein Heng knows how much I enjoy her cooking, particularly chicken curry. There were many times that I would find her squatting outside my home’s kitchen door, crushing dried red peppers…
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Journal Entry 41
23.06.2026 Well, today did not go as I had initially planned. I was hoping the King and I would have toured and explored Singapore. Unfortunately, I was exhausted. I begged Jonas to leave our hotel room and take a tour of the island, but he declined. He had mentioned that he needed to prepare for the upcoming trade talks on Friday, but I swear I heard him say that he was not going to tour without me. Jonas stayed all day with me in the presidential suite at the Marina Bay Sands. Even while I tried to nap, he would nudge me to see if I needed anything. When dinnertime…
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Journal Entry 40
22.06.2026 After all these years, I still have not become comfortable with the press. Granted, they are doing their part to get a story or report on a story, I understand that much. I still do not understand how King Jonas, world leaders, and celebrities are able to focus when different questions are being asked of them at the same time, as if they were almost yelling. Prime Minister Sabine Keller was astounding this afternoon, in her professional presentation during the trade and cultural talks at Diaoyutai. I am sure she made Jonas proud. Sabine has the stature of Margaret Thatcher, yet the kind of persona Barbara Bush portrayed during…
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Journal Entry 39
20.06.2026 What an amazing morning and early afternoon! There were so many places that I wanted to visit and tour in Beijing, but our time was quite limited. The King and I were unable to make it to one of the places I wanted to visit the most, the Forbidden City, due to time constraints. Before leaving Diaoyutai State Guesthouse, we asked our hosts to direct us to a place where they thought we would have a unique cultural experience. When our motorcade arrived at Panjiayuan market. I was initially concerned about the dense crowd at the market. Above all, Jonas’s security and safety are my number one priority. However,…
