"Southern Santiero," Elise told her. "I'll be going straight there when I leave in a couple of days. We'll film there for a couple of months."
"I'm excited to see it. I love musicals." Catherine tried to control her gushing. "That's one reason I loved the SPACE movies so much. I liked the show too, but the movies were musicals.Wickedis my current favorite adaptation, but I think yours will join it in a regular rotation."
Elise laughed. "I'm glad to hear that."
After a couple more minutes, the door opened, and Jacob whispered with someone on the other side, probably Byron.
"I think that's our cue," Catherine told Elise, standing up. "There are a few family members and friends in the other room. I'm sure they'd enjoy a visit with you."
"I'm looking forward to it."
Jacob and Elise fell into step on either side of her and a half-step behind as they navigated the corridor the short distance to the Amethyst Room.
Inside the Amethyst Room, Jacob went to the front and called for attention. He introduced Elise as a local actress who'd made it big. He encouraged everyone to continue to mingle and snack. Dessert would be served in a little while.
Catherine and Elise were quickly surrounded by those about the same age as they were. They would have been part of the target audience for SPACE and likely watched at least a few episodes here and there, even if they hadn't watched the whole series.
It was easy for Catherine to hang back, just a little bit, and let Elise take the lead in the interactions with those gathered around. For her, just listening to Elise regale the group with stories was more than enough in a larger group. She sipped the champagne someone handed her, butdidn't eat much of the snacks being circulated through the room.
The group around Elise ebbed and flowed. A few people wandered off and others wandered in. After about forty-five minutes, dessert was announced.
For this part of the gathering there was no assigned seating like there had been during the meal itself. Catherine found herself sitting with her two youngest siblings that were still a part of the gathering - the half-siblings had already gone to the apartment. Jacob was elsewhere. Two of the chairs at their circular table were empty, something that would be odd at any other gathering she attended.
Her other siblings conversed about gatherings Catherine hadn't been part of or wouldn't attend. She didn't have much to contribute to the conversation.
At times like this, it amazed Catherine how alone she could feel in a crowd, even among her own family. She ate dessert slowly, knowing it wouldn't matter when she finished, not with this group. In a formal gathering, she always started and stopped the meal. Catherine was very aware of that and took her time, ensuring no one found themselves rushed.
Once the dessert had been consumed, the guests began to filter out toward their own lodgings. Most were staying in the palace, but not all. Her siblings and parents all said their good nights as they started for the main doors to the room.
Catherine slipped out a side door and made her way to the cottage. Being in the spotlight made her uncomfortable. Jacob knew that and wouldn’t be surprised she left without him. It was a part of her life she'd come to accept the best she could, but that didn't mean she had to like it. It didn't take her long to change into something much more comfortable. She probably should have gone back to her dressing room in the palace to get her hair taken down and face washed, but Catherine had decided she didn't want to talk to anyone orrun the risk of seeing anyone when she had wet hair and a freshly scrubbed face.
After taking all of the pins out of her updo, a brush managed to get her hair into a fairly neat ponytail with a minimum of tangles remaining. She cleaned the make-up off of her face but didn't do the rest of the night time regimen her stylist normally insisted on.
"Catherine?" The front door to the cottage opened as Jacob called out.
"In here," she replied, raising her voice enough to be heard from inside her closet. "I'll be right out." Once her satin ballet flat slippers were on the right feet, Catherine headed for the front room. She stopped when she saw Jacob.
Talking to Elise.
"I do hope you don't mind the intrusion, Your Majesty." Elise immediately slipped into a comforting tone. Catherine recognized it as one used to set people at ease, but could often be patronizing. Like earlier, Elise was able to do only what was intended without descending into a slightly different tone that typically grated on Catherine's nerves.
Catherine wasn't sure how she felt, but said the right thing, as was expected of her. "Not at all." She motioned to their living room. "Please have a seat."
Elise sent a mock glare toward Jacob. "Move on, Mister. It's time for girl talk."
He chuckled and kissed Catherine on the cheek before heading for the back part of the cottage. "Have a nice chat."
"We will," Elise assured him. As soon as he was gone, Elise turned to Catherine. "He's cute and seems so genuinely nice. You're lucky!"
Catherine gave the other woman a tentative smile. "I prefer blessed, but yes. Jacob is wonderful." And even now would be falling asleep in their shared bed, something that continued when they returned from Novilacu Lake.
For the next hour, Elise guided the conversation through a wide variety of topics. As it went on, Catherine felt herself relaxing into it, even enjoying a few moments of genuine laughter.
As the hour grew exceedingly late, Catherine laughed even more and reflected on what a gift this was.
Genuine conversation with someone who was after a relationship with Catherine rather than a relationship the queen seldom happened.
As Catherine settled in next to her husband, she realized he knew her in a way few people, if any, ever had. Blessed was definitely the right word. In the morning, she'd have to tell him how grateful she was to be truly seen.
