He did relax, just the tiniest bit, but that was enough to let Victoria know he considered her presence helpful, even if he didn't understand or acknowledge it.
She felt the need to say something. "Whatever you need from me, I'm here."
The only reply was when he tipped his head a bit to the side so his cheek rested lightly against her hair.
"Right now, I think I want some sleep. I don't know that I'll be able to, but I need to try." They stood for another moment before, he let out a deep breath and pulled his hand out of his pocket to wrap his arm around her. "Stay with me?"
"Of course." It wouldn't be the first time they'd slept in the same bed together, but it had been a while given their temporary geographic challenges.
They entered the main suite. Victoria let him go to the en suite bath first while she poked around. Not invasively, but just to try to get the lay of the land, so to speak. The balcony off of this room also overlooked the water. Could they leave the doors open? Or the windows? She loved the sound of the crashing waves as she slept. The noise machines or apps weren't the same.
He came out of the bath area wearing a comfortable looking pair of athletic shorts with a t-shirt in hand. "Bath is free."
Victoria moved past him and took care of her own ablutions before realizing she didn't have any sleepwear of her own. Aftercontemplating for a moment, she went into the large closet full of his things and looked around without opening any drawers or searching through things.
After a moment, she found what appeared to be some of his older clothes, clothes that likely wouldn't fit him anymore. She found a plain pair of athletic shorts and an old t-shirt with no logo on it. Surely neither one would bring back any sort of challenging memories.
When she emerged into the bedroom, Victoria realized the lights had been turned off and Enzo had already laid down.
As she slipped under the blankets on the other side of the bed, she noticed something else.
The sound of crashing waves coming through the open window.
With a slight smile on her face, she rolled to the side, wrapped her arm around Enzo's torso and tried to sleep.
Sleep hadn't come easilyfor Enzo.
That didn't surprise him.
That he'd slept at all did.
His first night as king meant his mind had a hard time settling down.
His first night as an orphan meant his emotions were in turmoil.
Victoria's arm around his torso, her hand cradled in his, her knees tucked behind his - all of those things had helped, at least some. Without her comforting presence, it would have been much more challenging, if not impossible.
He'd still arisen far earlier than he'd have preferred, and not just because his wife slumbered on. His mum had always told him that he was the sleeper of the bunch. Naptimes were something he'd accepted willingly and gave up reluctantly as he grew older. Days where he could lounge around and doze as long as he wanted were over. It might happen on rare occasions, but even on holiday he'd never be able to truly have a day off. There would always be matters that required his attention.
As much as Enzo wanted to spend time on the balcony outside his bedroom, he knew someone would take a photo and that wasn't something he could afford at the moment. At least the breeze coming in off the Mediterranean made it through the partially curtained opening.
Something - or someone - stirred behind him. Victoria's soft footsteps moved toward him until she wrapped her arms around his waist from behind and he felt the soft skin of her cheek against his bare back.
"How are you?"
Enzo rested his arms atop of hers. "About the same, I suppose. I expect it will be a while before I feel much different."
"I understand."
She didn't try to fill the silence with inane conversation and Enzo found himself grateful for her restraint.
A few long moments later, his phone buzzed in the pocket of his pyjama pants. It would be time for him to start doing... whatever kingly things he had to do first thing in the morning. If he thought about it long enough, he'd be able to remember, but he didn't have the mental fortitude for that at the moment.
"Do you need to get that?" Victoria asked from behind him.
"I will in a minute. I believe we're going on the walkabout at ten or so. Do you have what you need?" Had she even brought any luggage with her?
"I spoke with one of the palace stylists. They will ensure I do."
