Crossword Genius

Cross about entering state, old European kingdom (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

saxony

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'old european kingdom' is the definition.
(Saxony is an old European Kingdom part of Germany)

'cross about entering state' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'cross' could be 'x' (X is cross-shaped) and 'x' is found in the answer.
'about' could be 'on' (as in a book 'on' a certain topic) and 'on' is found within the answer.
'state' could be 'say' (speak) and 'say' is found within the leftover letters.
This accounts for all the letters.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for saxony that I've seen before include "somewhere in Germany" , "Invaders originating here" , "Old German kingdom" , "Fine woollen cloth" , "German state with Dresden as capital" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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