She nodded but wasn’t sure he was right this time. Except at the start of their relationship, his immediate family hadn’t objected to her, but this was different. Hierarchically and socially, she’d technically rank above them all after the coronation, and they may not like that.
She was also worried for Alex. This would change his family dynamics, and she wasn’t sure how everyone would handle it. Not to mention, there were members of his extended family who hadn’t approved of her, nor his decision to marry her.
Their ‘fight’ earlier hadn’t helped to put her at ease either. They’d had much worse arguments in the past and this was fairly minor in comparison, but she always felt unsteady when they didn’t agree about something. It was probably stress and exhaustion and grief and ten other things that caused it, but she hoped he’d understand her point when they finally got around to discussing it.
Alex squeezed her hand as they entered the dining room. Everyone was still standing except for Charlie who was seated and looked tired, and they were all having conversations amongst themselves while they waited for the king and queen’s arrival.
“Do you want to sit, darling?”
“No, I’ll wait for your parents.” She started playing with her necklace, taking the small heart between her fingers and running it back and forth along the chain. She could have worn ‘fancier’ jewelry to dinner, but she’d wanted to keep something from her parents with her when they made the announcement. Her parents had given this to her as a gift before she’d left for university, and she wanted to wear it to remind herself of how far she’d come, everything she’d overcome, and also of where she’d comefrom; as queen she would work for all Vallerians, and she didn’t want to forget her non-royal life. It was true she lived amongst wealth and privilege now, but she must always remember how lives were lived outside the palace.
Gabriel walked in with Genevieve on his arm. Though he waswalking a bit slower than usual and dressed more casually, he looked much the same as he always did.
The conversations around the room quieted as everyone sat down. Usually, family dinners weren’t formal at all, and everyone sat as they arrived, if there weren’t pre-dinner drinks first. Even Charlie remaining seated wasn’t an issue, and Rebecca doubted that anyone present would take issue with a pregnant woman in her last trimester remaining seated.
Gabriel sighed as he sat, a bit more carefully than usual.
Alex unfolded his cloth napkin and laid it over his lap. “How are you, Papa?”
Gabriel did the same with his napkin and reached for his glass of water. “As well as can be expected.”
“You should’ve rested some more,” Cat gently scolded. “You look very pale.”
“I know, but I’ll look better tomorrow.” He took a drink and signaled to the butler for dinner.
He waited until the servants had brought in the food and left before speaking again. “I know you’re all worried, and I appreciate it very much. This is a minor inconvenience, that’s all.”
Rebecca wondered if Gabriel was merely trying to put on a brave face or if he was deluding himself. This incident may have been more minor, but it wasn’t a mere ‘inconvenience’. He was giving up his reign due to his health; she didn’t think he’d do that unless it was more serious than he was letting on.
“Don’t lie to us,” Lorenzo said. “We’re not the public. We’re your children, your family.”
Gabriel smiled at him, then gave Liliana, Lorenzo’s six-year-old daughter, a bigger smile. “Can you keep a secret, Liliana?”
She nodded several times. “I’m the best at it! I keep all of Papa’s and Mama’s secrets, like the—mmph.”
Lorenzo had clapped a hand over her mouth and let out an awkward laugh. “Kids, am I right?”
Rebecca had known some kids that age to keep secrets, but perhaps Liliana was not to be one of them.
Genevieve latched on to the slip up. “Lorenzo?”
He dropped his hand and patted Liliana on the head. “It’s nothing, Mama.”
“Out with it.”
He glanced at Lily, his fiancée, and sighed. “We didn’t want to mention it until after the funeral, as it didn’t seem right, but…”
Liliana yelled and pumped her arms in the air. “I’m gonna have a sister!”
Lily interjected. “We don’t know the gender yet.”
“It’s a sister,” Liliana said with the complete confidence of a six-year-old.
Everyone around the table started congratulating them, and Gabriel called them over. “Congratulations my son, and to you Cecilia.” He kissed both on each cheek, and did the same to Liliana. “Congratulations to you on becoming a big sister.”
“Thank you, Grandpapa!” She gave him a hug and jumped into his lap, chattering away about how excited she was and everything she’d do with the new baby.
Rebecca rose and hugged Lily. “Congratulations! I’m so excited for you.”
