She really didn't want to get into a discussion about her insecurities, but began to think she might not have much of a choice.
"Everyone already had a team to work with. Jeanette and Madeleine were working on something together. There really wasn't anything for me to do. I probably should have gone to my office, but since everything on my calendar had been canceled, I decided I'd rather read the book I've been working on. I haven't had a chance to delve in for the last couple of days."
Enzo continued to wait patiently for her to go on.
Finally, Victoria sighed and shifted until she was in a more seated position rather than reclined. "They didn't need me." First she tried that again, but the look on his face didn't change. "No one ever needs me." Her voice changed. As much as she tried to keep it steady, it didn't work. It came out small, almost scared.
"I need you." His gaze remained steady as he spoke. There didn't seem to be any hyperbole or equivocation in his voice.
"Do you?" she challenged. "Do you needmeor did you need someone acceptable to be queen and a mother to your heirs?"
He didn't rush to answer but seemed to turn her question over in his mind. "Yes, I'd been wishing I knew someone I would be able to marry before Mum passed, for a number ofreasons. I would not have married just anyone so that I would be married before officially becoming an orphan." Leaning forward, he looked more intently at her. "I met you. I knew I wanted to marry you. I would have wanted that even if Mum had been healthy. Having someone with me as I go through all of this and learn to navigate my new job would have been a blessing regardless. Having you with me is something I'll never take for granted. I need you."
Everything inside Victoria wanted to believe him, but it wasn't the easiest thing for her to do.
Even though she knew it wasn't fair to say her family saw her as extraneous, she still wondered - if she never felt needed by them, would she ever be able to feel needed by anyone?
It had beena long time since Enzo had found himself sitting on a stone floor, and he doubted it had ever been for quite such a long time.
What exactly was going through Victoria's head? Clearly it was more than just not having anything to do in the archives, but until she decided to trust him with whatever it might be, there wasn't much he could do about it.
Could she really feel unnecessary?
Could it be that simple - and that complicated?
She stayed in the chair with a blanket over her, staring blankly at the wall or perhaps out the window.
He looked around the small... it wasn't big enough to be a room and didn't have a door. Alcove or nook didn't seem right but he didn't know what else to call it. Though he'd lived in thepalace his entire life and done more than his share of exploring, he didn't remember this space. In fact, he didn't remember ever seeing the series of corridors it took to get there.
If Victoria had turned her phone off before making it all the way to her chair, it seemed unlikely that they would have be able to find her. Cap had been able to use her last known location to give Enzo directions.
She hadn't said anything since he'd told her that he needed her. He suspected she didn't really believe him, and he might not have as he started talking, but as he spoke, he knew it to be true.
He did need her - and definitely not just because it was expected that he'd marry and have children.
In the few months since he'd met and married Victoria, she'd become a vital part of his existence.
Was he in love with her? Probably not. Not yet. But he could tell he was definitely headed that direction. She was the first person he wanted to talk to in the morning, though he had no problem letting her sleep a bit longer if she needed to. He also found that she was the last person he wanted to talk to before he fell asleep.
And the first one he wanted to go to with a puzzling scenario or good news or the frustrations of the monarchy.
But she didn't have the official clearances yet.
It was expected that the monarch would confide in their spouse about most things, but without the official clearance, he was limited in what he could say. He needed to ask Cap how much longer the clearances would take.
He already knew he valued her insights. She should have a seat on the Council soon. It would need to be officially approved by the rest of the Council, but they shouldn't have any reason to deny her.
Unless they tried to use her dual citizenship. Filling the seat might have to wait until her dual citizenship paperwork wascompleted. It had been official as soon as they were legally married.
Abruptly, Victoria moved the chair to it's upright position and stood, leaving the blanket hanging over the arm. "I need to get back." She waited for him to stand and join her.
Enzo winced as he stood. His backside felt almost numb. How long had they been there anyway? He wouldn't check his watch or phone. Victoria was more important. The two things he knew for certain were that it had to be past lunchtime and the sun wasn't anywhere near setting.
"I would love it if you would join me for lunch." He waited for her to leave through the opening then followed her.
"I didn't order anything."
The easy smile crossed his face, though he knew she couldn't see it. "I am certain we can find something for you. Chef will be delighted to ensure you have lunch." With that, he did pull his phone out of his pocket. Though it wasn't for the purpose of checking the time, he noted it had been longer than he thought. He sent a message to the kitchen to have lunch sent to their quarters as soon as possible.
