"Yes. There was a small island in Southern Santiero that we were able to visit. Because that's her homeland, we were able to marry quickly and quietly."
"She knows the truth of who you are?"
He nodded. "She knew from the moment we met, though she didn't know the timeline until a few days later."
"I'm glad she knew, but is that the only reason she wanted to spend time with you? To be a princess and later a queen?" The look on her face showed her deep concern.
He chuckled. "No, Mum. She didn't need to marry me to be a princess. She already is one, though she hasn't been a working royal."
Confusion tinged his mum's voice. "Who is it?"
"Princess Victoria of Southern Santiero, King Frederick's youngest sibling."
"She hasn't been seen since not long after she turned eighteen. I don't believe Frederick even knew where she was." She shifted in her chair. "But of anyone you could have met out in the world, she's one of the few who could come close to understanding what the role of being your wife will entail."
"That's not why I wanted to get to know her better or marry her." He turned his hand over underneath hers then covered them both with his other hand. "I think you'll really like her, Mum."
If they were able to meet.
Enzo forced the thought out of his mind and kept the smile on his face. "She's kind, she's incredibly intelligent, she's generous..."
"She's beautiful." The smile on his mum's face widened.
"And she's beautiful," he agreed. "That might have been what first caught my attention - after we literally ran into each other - but I quickly came to appreciate so much more about her. Beyond who she is as a person, she understand the realities of royal life. The intricacies, the politics, the dinner conversations, the fashion..." Which he'd never fully understood. "...the time to be quiet and the time to speak out. All of that."
"Under other circumstances, I would have loved to spend the kind of time it would take with your wife to help her become comfortable with the role. Since I won't be able to, I'm grateful you found someone who won't have to learn all of that on her own." Her eyes closed.
Enzo squeezed his mum's hand. "I'll let you rest. I'll be here for a few days at least. Victoria is hoping to be here next week. She has a few things going on at home."
A frown appeared. "I thought one of my briefings said she was engaged."
"She was unexpectedly cornered by local press and inadvertently confirmed something instead of denying it. Because she hasn't dealt with the press in years, and didn't think anyone knew she was even in the country, she wasn’t prepared. She watched Frederick's wedding from a distance and snuck in to the palace to see him and meet Elise." He kissed her cheek again. "I'll see you later."
As he left, his mum's personal aide entered and curtsied toward both of them. "Welcome home, sir."
"Thank you." He left his mum's suite. What would happen to the staff when his mum passed? Would they automatically become his staff members? Would his aides stay with him and hers help them transition?
So many questions. No answers.
His phone buzzed.
Victoria
Mum thinks we’re engaged. I think we may want to consider going public with that then bring up the marriage later.
He wasn't sure about telling everyone they were engaged when they were already married. It would probably go over better with the public if they were engaged and then had a wedding, but only if they weren't already married.
The deception bothered him, but he understood why it would appeal to Victoria and her family. Would she tell them the truth sooner rather than later?
After sending a quick text back that they'd talk soon, Enzo headed for his own suite for the first time since his arrival. As he walked in, he looked around and realized he'd never actually cared about the furnishings. Would Victoria want to redo everything? He had no sentimental attachment to any of it, save some of the portraits and photos around.
That was a problem for another day. For now, he needed to focus on taking care of things here and getting back to Victoria, while making sure to spend as much time as possible with his mum.
He didn't love the balancing act, but knew it would only get worse from here.
3
It had been three days since Victoria had done more than text Enzo, and he'd sent cursory responses but nothing more since he left.
