17
Something had to be bothering Enzo. Victoria didn't know what it could be, but he clearly had something on his mind - beyond what was going on in the archives.
She'd noticed it when he returned from his meetings the day before, and it hadn't improved overnight or with another day of work behind him.
Before long, it would be time to leave for the fundraising dinner. She'd decided on the flowy dress in two tones of pink. It practically floated around her, and it made her feel like... well, like a princess.
"Are you ready?" Enzo came out of his dressing room tugging on his cuffs to straighten them.
"I'm ready when you are." Victoria made sure she had what she needed in her clutch. One thing she had enjoyed while on her sabbatical was the ability to carry whatever kind of purse or other bag she wanted. She'd even worn a bum bag - or fanny pack, depending on where in the world she'd been - often. She found them quite convenient.
That wasn't an option as a princess much less as a queen. Maybe if they were hiking or something of that nature, but definitely not on a daily basis.
Comfort and convenience didn't often rank very high on the list of things a queen could wear or use. It seemed like it was almost the opposite. The more uncomfortable or inconvenient something could be, the more likely it was to be part of a queen's daily routine or wardrobe.
Enzo extended his elbow for her to take his arm as they made their way to the garrison where a car would be waiting for them.
To her surprise, Enzo wasn't driving. Instead, two members of the security team sat in the front of the SUV while she and Enzo each took a spot in the middle.
The drive didn't take long. They glided to a stop at the front of an elegant hotel. An attendant opened her door as someone else opened the other side. Once again, she slid her hand into the crook of Enzo's arm as they walked inside.
They were greeted by staff members of the organization. She let go of Enzo's arm so she could shake the hands of those in the receiving line. There weren't many people and afterward, they were ushered into a reception area where they would mingle with the rest of those gathered.
One of the women who was in charge of the organization stayed with Victoria, giving her quiet notes on each person as they approached. Since Victoria had never met any of them, she appreciated it.
Remembering names wasn't her strong suit, but she remembered faces and details very well. All of those she met were kind and welcoming of her as the new queen.
Eventually, the time came to go into the banquet hall. Enzo found her as they waited for their turn to be announced and enter.
"Ladies and gentlemen, honored guests, please rise and welcome Their Majesties, King Enzo and Queen Victoria."
Scattered applause greeted them as they entered through the main banquet hall doors and made their way to the head table.Enzo held Victoria's chair for her then took a seat himself. As soon as he did, so did everyone else in the room. Enzo was the first one to be served dinner, which didn't surprise Victoria at all.
It did catch her off-guard when she was second. She wasn't used to that. That would have to change. When Enzo wasn't present, she would often be first.
Once dinner ended, it would be time for speeches. At least that wasn't expected of her at this event.
As dessert was being served, the president of the organization went to the podium. She welcomed everyone and made a short statement before inviting Enzo to the podium.
Once again, applause filled the room.
"Thank you for inviting me to join you this year. It is an honor my wife and I don't take for granted. As most of you know, this organization was close to my mum's heart. She was a patron for as long as I can remember, since before she became queen. It is my honor to announce that Victoria will be filling that role starting tonight."
Victoria would what now?
He hadn't mentioned anything to her about patronage. It didn't bother her, except that she hadn't been consulted ahead of time.
If asked to choose a cause to support, literacy would be near the top of her list, but the way it was happening further reinforced her belief that she only mattered as the queen. Not as Victoria. Never as Victoria.
"Mum's favorite books were theKingdoms of Dellisole Islands Saga. She read them aloud to all of us at one time or another. As the eldest, I heard her read them more than once. Those times are some of my most precious memories with my mum." He flipped the page and continued. "For many years, every child has received a copy of all nine books in the serieswhen they turn twelve. It is an honor to continue supporting the cause of literacy."
He spoke for a few more minutes before inviting Victoria to the podium.
She had no prepared remarks.
But she could do this.
"Thank you, Vincenzo." Victoria looked out over those sitting around the banquet hall. "As my husband said, it is an honor to continue the work of his mum and so many others. As you all know, I am a recent arrival in Dellisole. TheKingdoms of Dellisole Islands Sagaisn't on the reading list for every school child in Southern Santiero. It is popular there, though not as popular as here, obviously. I've read a couple of the books over the years, and all of them are on the top of my TBR pile." That much was true, though they'd only been added in the last few minutes. "I look forward to reading and rereading them in the coming years." She looked at Enzo. "I hope that, one day, we'll read them to our own children."
