Alex set the papers aside and put his other hand over their joined ones. “I appreciate your apology, but I’m not hurt by it anymore. Don’t worry yourself over that.”
His father nodded just as his phone buzzed with a message. They let go so he could read it. “Corrado would like a meeting after dinner to finalize some details.”
“Would you rather wait until morning? Or I can take the meeting for you?”
His father sighed. “Yes, would you? I…I’m…”
“It’s all right, Papa. I’ll handle it. If I need your input, I’ll find you in the morning, all right?”
His father nodded.
“I do think we should all have dinner together, if you’re up for it. Once everyone gets here, it will be much more chaotic.”
“I think I’ll eat in my rooms tonight, but thank you.”
They said their goodbyes, Alex giving him more cheek kisses before leaving. After touching base with his mother about dinner and about Rebecca’s workload, Alex headed back through the Royal Wing to find his wife. Maybe time alone with each other was better, a night of calm before the storm of relatives arrived.
three
ALEXANDER
After the Sergeant at Arms announced Alex’s name, Alex walked into the Council chamber. The Council members, which included a couple of his brothers, bowed or curtsied as he passed on his way to the head of the room. The massive space was organized in one large circle, with cream walls accented with dark Vallerian purple, rich wood tables polished as though they were mirrors, and his and his father’s chairs situated on a dais facing the circle. Since his father would not be there, he took the main seat. Only once he sat down did the others follow.
Alex banged the gavel once. “I call this meeting to order. We have a few things on the agenda and a busy few weeks ahead of us, so let’s get started.
“I first want to acknowledge the passing of Her Royal Majesty, Princess Victoria, the former queen and my excellent grandmother. Let’s all take a minute of silence to acknowledge her loss.”
During this minute, with his head bowed, Alex actively tried not to think of Nonna. He had to be on top of his game with the Council,and thinking of her loss would be a distraction, as harsh as it was to think of it that way. Instead, he spent the minute taking deep breaths and concentrating on the meeting ahead.
“Thank you, all. We’ll discuss more about the late queen’s funeral a little later, but let’s get through the other agenda items first. On the docket is a proposal from the Minister of Health. Minister Naera, please provide abriefsummary of your proposal.”
Julia Naera, a white woman in her thirties and part of the well-known and long-established Naera family, cleared her throat and stood. “Thank you, Your Highness. This proposal is vital to ensuring health care for children and providing them with the care they need that their parents cannot provide. We must pass this proposal for our children.” A few people clapped.
Expecting her to say more, he waited, but she simply stood there with a sneaky smile on her face. He realized he would be unable to handle this as tactfully as his father expected. “Thank you, Minister. However, you left out quite a bit. Such as the fact that your proposal rollsbackprotections on children. In fact, this bill targets trans children, removes life-saving mental and physical care for them, and also removes them from their homes if their parents are supportive of their decision to transition. This bill is an abomination in the face of the many trans children in Valleria, and I will not stand for it. We long ago authorized full and complete universal healthcare for children, so no parent would ever have to worry about paying for healthcare, nor would they worry about getting the support they need. We will not now, nor ever, roll back healthcare for children. Your proposal is rejected.”
Through gritted teeth and a false smile, Julia replied, “Thank you for your consideration, Your Highness.”
“I also want it noted for the record that is the third time such a bill has been proposed. In fact, it has been the same bill with barely a few words changed each time. The King has already rejected similar bills twice, and I have rejected it now. I never want to see a bill like this again.
“You are our current Minister for Health,” he continued, “but if you do not take into account the health needs ofallVallerians, you’ll need to be replaced.”
Julia gasped. “Your Highness! That is uncalled for. Perhaps you are a bit emotional?—”
Oh fuck no.“Stop deflecting, and certainly stop using the recently deceased formerqueento distract from the fact that you are completely in the wrong. As health minister, you should also know that having emotions is essential to being human. I have many emotions throughout the day, every day, as does everyone else, and no one should be shamed for it. Ever. Am I understood?”
She tilted her head up, her chin pointing out. “Yes, Your Highness. I apologizeifI caused any offense.”
He turned to the Council secretary. “Mark Minister Naera in contempt for her words today. I’ll not tolerate that behaviour now or ever.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
He ignored her livid sputtering and moved on. She’d only been added to the Council via a loophole he was planning on closing soon, so he’d have to put up with her until then. “Next item on the agenda is to defer any other pending items until after the funeral and pause the Council session for a period of mourning. Who will propose?”
His brother Marcello, also Valleria’s Minister of Security and Defense, stood. “I propose to pause the Council session for mourning.”
His other brother, Nate, also Valleria’s Minister of Finance and Treasury, stood. “I second the motion.”
Alex nodded. “All those in favour?”
