She would meet the challenge head on, but he knew she wouldn't look forward to it any more than he would.
As soon as she accepted her seat on the Council, they would work it out together.
Participatingin Council meetings was one thing Victoria's upbringing hadn't prepared her for.
She'd observed a couple from a distance, but never in person.
Her stylist had helped her choose the right outfit, complete with shoes and hairstyle. She didn't always use a hair and makeup artist, but this time the HMUA spent extra time ensuring fault couldn't be found with her appearance. The protocol officer had spent a couple of hours with her to ensure she didn't make any preventable faux pas.
It didn't stop the butterflies in her stomach from swarming in all directions at once.
She would enter with Enzo but take a seat along the outer wall with aides and other staff members. One stationary camera would cover the whole room. To an extent, it could pan from side to side but could not show the entire chamber at once. Fortunately, her seat was in one of the blind spots. Yes, thosein the room might be able to notice her discomfort, but it was unlikely the general public would see the evidence.
With no way to be absolutely certain, she would do her best to project calm anyway. As they entered she kept a pleasant expression on her face. Once in her seat, she did her best to keep her expression more neutral. The last thing any of them needed was the media commenting on how bored she looked or how mad or cranky or even how overly excited she looked while the Chairman or one of the others was talking.
The Chairman called the meeting to order. As soon as he did, one of the others called for a closed session. It was immediately seconded and most of those gathered stood to leave. Certain topics were considered sensitive or required security clearances. Victoria wasn't certain she should stay but she wasn't going to leave until Enzo told her she needed to. As the king's wife, she should be able to sit in on almost any meetings, even without taking her seat on the Council.
"Victoria is not cleared for this meeting," the Chairman stated. "She is not needed."
The use of her name bothered her far less than the second statement.
It wasn't supposed to happen like this. The Chairman should have just supported her, but instead he'd chosen to be stubborn and obstinate.
His words were ringing in her ears - she wasn't needed.
The same thing she'd felt most of her life. This was no different.
Despite what Enzo said or felt, the rest of the country didn't feel the same way. The Council certainly didn't - or at least not all of them. As far as she knew, only a couple could be considered to be on her side. From what Enzo had told her, it sounded like most of Parliament would back her up, but she'd prefer it didn't get that far. She'd much rather the Council cooperate.
Maybe she should just go back to Southern Santiero.
Was she really needed in Dellisole?
Could she really make a difference to anyone or with anything with the possible exception of providing an heir and a spare?
Victoria doubted it. Even once her seat on the Council was secured, she'd be outvoted and overlooked. Heaven forbid anything dealing with women's issues would arise. As the only woman on the Council, she suspected most of them would ignore her. Despite her privileged upbringing, her time spent away from the palace had given her insight many others raised in the royal world would not have.
Enzo stood and buttoned his suit coat. "This meeting is adjourned." He turned and walked toward Victoria as everyone else stared at him with their mouths ajar.
He extended his arm to Victoria who slipped her hand inside as they walked out of the room in a very controlled manner.
She still didn't understand what exactly had happened.
About the time they reached door leading to their waiting SUV, one of the Council aides caught up with them.
"Sir, the Chairman would like to have a word."
Enzo stared at him for a long moment. "Very well. I will meet him in the Council Room in a few minutes."
Victoria suspected he wanted to exert control by not immediately being at the Chairman's beck and call. By making him wait, Enzo was showing him he couldn't be easily intimidated.
They stood with his aide as the two men discussed nothing of importance. At least, Victoria didn't think the footy championships were more important than Council business. No one else could hear what they were saying. After a few minutes, they returned to the Council chambers.
The Chairman glared at Victoria but spoke to Enzo. "She is not needed here and, in fact, is not cleared for these conversations."
"If you would have done your duty on time, the queen would already be a member of the Council and this conversation would be just as pointless as it is now."
The Chairman's lack of respect for Victoria clearly wasn't lost on her husband. In fact, if she had to guess, Enzo was barely containing his irritation.
