Chapter 5

five

REBECCA

" M y parents took it as well as could be expected," Rebecca said as she dressed for their casual family dinner. "They were shocked, but not surprised, if that makes sense. I told them about your father's health too. You know they'll never share it, but our fathers are good friends and I didn't want to hide it from them."

Alex sighed as he watched her from her dressing room door. "I wish you hadn't."

She'd been in the middle of slipping off her clothes but paused to look at him. "Why? Do you think my parents are untrustworthy? I told them not to mention it to anyone."

Fuck. The last thing he wanted, or even needed, was for them to get into a disagreement right now. "You can't tell them everything anymore."

"They won't say anything."

"They could. I'm not saying they'd do it intentionally, but something could slip out accidentally."

She continued to take off the clothes she'd worn during the day, a simple but expensive black suit with a grey silk shirt. "They've kept plenty of our secrets. Besides, I don't tell them everything ."

"Once you become queen, things will be different. You'll be privy to much more highly secure and confidential information. You need to get into the habit now of keeping things from them."

"So I'm not supposed to talk to them about anything ever again?"

He rubbed a hand over his face and shook his head. "That's not what I meant, and you know it."

She pulled a dress from a hanger and took a deep breath. "We don't have time to argue right now, but I'd like to revisit this discussion in the future. I understand where you're coming from, but I don't think you understand how important it is for me to be able to talk about certain things with my parents."

No, he didn't understand, but he nodded all the same.

She unzipped the dress and stepped into it. "I told Mara about the abdication and coronation too. She couldn't speak for a full minute after I told her. How was Tavin?"

"Slightly better, or better at covering his surprise. I think he's nervous about becoming the next ‘Corrado' but I'm sure he's up to the challenge."

She tugged the dress on and turned her back to him, and he stepped forward to zip it up. Her lady's maid was helping some of his other siblings tonight at Rebecca's direction, so he was standing in, not that he ever minded helping her dress.

He moved his fingers into her long, chestnut hair, wound it around his hand, and shifted it over one shoulder. He then slowly zipped up her dress, his fingers grazing her skin as he did.

She sighed and leaned into his touch. "Do you think Corrado's upset? I'm not sure he'll want to go to Ilva with your father."

He secured the small hook above her zipper, then leaned down and pressed a kiss to her nape. "I think he loves his job, but he's more than ready to retire. It's not easy to spend thirty years as the monarch's chief of staff. "

She sat down at her dressing table and started fixing her hair and makeup. "Are you worried Tavin might not last?"

"Will Mara?" He reached over and picked up the necklace she'd laid out, a simple chain with a small silver heart pendant, something her parents had given her long ago.

She looked for a second as if she wanted to argue, her perfect lips pursed slightly, but seemed to let it go. "She does get anxious easily, it's true, but she is excellent at her job. Once everything is official, I'll keep an eye on her. I don't want her to burn out."

He put the necklace on her and let his fingers linger on her skin for a few moments. "You'll need another assistant, maybe even two eventually. I've already got two besides Tavin and I'm worried it may not be enough."

"Maybe we can shift over your parents' assistants. Their chiefs may go with them, but the others won't be able to go."

"I agree. Once it's announced, we'll talk to them, see if they're interested or if they'd prefer to be redeployed to another role in the administration."

She chuckled.

He moved so he was facing her. "Something amusing you, Mrs. Santoro?"

"What a difference a few hours makes. Earlier today, both of us were freaking out?—"

"I was not ‘freaking out', darling."

"—and now we're calmly discussing us running the whole country."

He took her hand and began toying with her engagement and wedding rings. "Would you rather stress about it?"

"No, but I wonder if we need to. Maybe if we stress out now, then we won't stress out later?" She shook her head. "It's a silly thought, isn't it?"

"I know what you mean, but I don't think we can avoid stress. We couldn't avoid it a few minutes ago. Just because we're talking calmly now doesn't mean we always will. "

She stood and moved into his arms. "That's true."

He pulled her against him and wrapped his arms tight around her, and she snuggled against him. They stood there entwined together for a few minutes until his phone buzzed in his pocket. They separated and he saw the time and a message from his mother that his father was heading down for dinner too, though he should probably stay in bed longer.

"Papa's coming to dinner."

Rebecca's eyebrows popped up. "Oh, wow. Let's go, then. We don't want to keep him waiting." She rushed through the rest of her preparation and slipped on some heels. She was heading for the door when she frowned. "Oh no, I got some makeup on your jacket."

He glanced down and tried to brush it off but to no avail. "It doesn't matter, darling."

"Please go change it."

"It's only the family. Why is it so important?"

"Because we're announcing the coronation to your family tonight. I want us both to look…I don't know, as perfect as possible, even if they are family."

Suddenly, he understood. "All right, darling, but you don't need to worry. They won't object to it, or to you becoming queen." At least, he hoped they wouldn't.

"Maybe you're right but I'm still worried about it."

"Then I'll change." He gave her a chaste kiss so as not to ruin her makeup and headed back to his dressing room.

REBECCA

Rebecca's anxiety was climbing with each step towards the shared family dining room. Her thumb was worrying her rings around her finger, while her other hand went to her stomach, where she stored all her stress.

Alex took the hand from her belly and brought it to his lips for a kiss. "Everything will work out, darling."

She nodded but wasn't sure he was right this time. Except at the start of their relationship, his immediate family hadn't objected to her, but this was different. Hierarchically and socially, she'd technically rank above them all after the coronation, and they may not like that.

She was also worried for Alex. This would change his family dynamics, and she wasn't sure how everyone would handle it. Not to mention, there were members of his extended family who hadn't approved of her, nor his decision to marry her.

Their ‘fight' earlier hadn't helped to put her at ease either. They'd had much worse arguments in the past and this was fairly minor in comparison, but she always felt unsteady when they didn't agree about something. It was probably stress and exhaustion and grief and ten other things that caused it, but she hoped he'd understand her point when they finally got around to discussing it.

Alex squeezed her hand as they entered the dining room. Everyone was still standing except for Charlie who was seated and looked tired, and they were all having conversations amongst themselves while they waited for the king and queen's arrival.

"Do you want to sit, darling?"

"No, I'll wait for your parents." She started playing with her necklace, taking the small heart between her fingers and running it back and forth along the chain. She could have worn ‘fancier' jewelry to dinner, but she'd wanted to keep something from her parents with her when they made the announcement. Her parents had given this to her as a gift before she'd left for university, and she wanted to wear it to remind herself of how far she'd come, everything she'd overcome, and also of where she'd come from ; as queen she would work for all Vallerians, and she didn't want to forget her non-royal life. It was true she lived amongst wealth and privilege now, but she must always remember how lives were lived outside the palace.

Gabriel walked in with Genevieve on his arm. Though he was walking a bit slower than usual and dressed more casually, he looked much the same as he always did.

The conversations around the room quieted as everyone sat down. Usually, family dinners weren't formal at all, and everyone sat as they arrived, if there weren't pre-dinner drinks first. Even Charlie remaining seated wasn't an issue, and Rebecca doubted that anyone present would take issue with a pregnant woman in her last trimester remaining seated.

Gabriel sighed as he sat, a bit more carefully than usual.

Alex unfolded his cloth napkin and laid it over his lap. "How are you, Papa?"

Gabriel did the same with his napkin and reached for his glass of water. "As well as can be expected."

"You should've rested some more," Cat gently scolded. "You look very pale."

"I know, but I'll look better tomorrow." He took a drink and signaled to the butler for dinner.

He waited until the servants had brought in the food and left before speaking again. "I know you're all worried, and I appreciate it very much. This is a minor inconvenience, that's all."

Rebecca wondered if Gabriel was merely trying to put on a brave face or if he was deluding himself. This incident may have been more minor, but it wasn't a mere ‘inconvenience'. He was giving up his reign due to his health; she didn't think he'd do that unless it was more serious than he was letting on.

"Don't lie to us," Lorenzo said. "We're not the public. We're your children, your family."

Gabriel smiled at him, then gave Liliana, Lorenzo's six-year-old daughter, a bigger smile. "Can you keep a secret, Liliana?"

She nodded several times. "I'm the best at it! I keep all of Papa's and Mama's secrets, like the—mmph."

Lorenzo had clapped a hand over her mouth and let out an awkward laugh. "Kids, am I right? "

Rebecca had known some kids that age to keep secrets, but perhaps Liliana was not to be one of them.

Genevieve latched on to the slip up. "Lorenzo?"

He dropped his hand and patted Liliana on the head. "It's nothing, Mama."

"Out with it."

He glanced at Lily, his fiancée, and sighed. "We didn't want to mention it until after the funeral, as it didn't seem right, but…"

Liliana yelled and pumped her arms in the air. "I'm gonna have a sister!"

Lily interjected. "We don't know the gender yet."

"It's a sister," Liliana said with the complete confidence of a six-year-old.

Everyone around the table started congratulating them, and Gabriel called them over. "Congratulations my son, and to you Cecilia." He kissed both on each cheek, and did the same to Liliana. "Congratulations to you on becoming a big sister."

"Thank you, Grandpapa!" She gave him a hug and jumped into his lap, chattering away about how excited she was and everything she'd do with the new baby.

Rebecca rose and hugged Lily. "Congratulations! I'm so excited for you."

"Thank you," Lily said as they separated. "It means so much coming from you."

Rebecca was smiling but the feeling was a little bittersweet. She was, of course, happy for them, but it also reminded her how she hadn't been able to carry a child to term. She glanced at Grace, who may be feeling similarly, since she had lost a child with her first husband and had been unable to conceive with Marcello. Rebecca also looked over at Arianna, who had given birth to a daughter—Eloisa, who was currently sleeping under the watchful eye of her nanny—but had been told she shouldn't have any more as it would be unsafe for her health .

Rebecca mentally shook her head free of negative thoughts. There was too much to celebrate, and still too much to say tonight.

Once they were all seated again, Genevieve asked the question everyone expected. "Are you moving the wedding up?"

Lily shook her head. "There's too much to think about logistically for that, especially with the funeral rearranging some of our plans."

"You could pull a Nate and Charlie and elope," Marcello suggested.

Ethan shook his head. "I refuse to officiate anyone else's wedding. Mama almost killed me after that elopement, in case you don't remember."

"I still could," Genevieve replied without any malice.

"Or you could pull an Alex and Rebecca and do a private ceremony with the family before the public one," Carolina proposed.

"I'm still not marrying you then either," Ethan added. His love, Anda, elbowed him. "What? They always pull me into doing this kind of shit."

"A wedding is not ‘shit'," Anda said.

"Of course not, but you know they'll pull me into this one way or another. Why does it have to be me every time?"

"Trying to coordinate the timing for three weddings isn't easy," Grace said, ever the diplomat.

"Not to mention the arrival of our baby," Charlie said as she rubbed her protruding belly, her voice sounding even more exhausted at the thought of attending all the weddings as a very pregnant guest.

"I'm a pregnant bride too," Sarah added. "If anyone's wedding should be moved up first, it should be mine. I'll be due before you, Lily."

As overlapping conversations broke out around the table, Alex and Gabriel looked at each other, then at Genevieve, and then finally back at her. Rebecca knew what those looks meant.

Alex leaned towards his father. "I think we should announce it now. It won't affect the wedding planning, but we'll need to plan it around the births and their recoveries. "

Gabriel nodded, then clapped his hands to get everyone's attention. Once they settled again, he shifted in his chair slightly and cleared his throat. "Before we talk schedules, there is something else we need to consider."

He took a deep breath. "I've decided to step down and retire."

Mouths fell open across the table, and a few people gasped. Everyone glanced around the table to see how others were reacting, until gazes finally fell on her and Alex.

Rebecca reached for Alex's hand and gripped it tightly; he gave her a comforting squeeze in return.

"My health is a factor, it's true," Gabriel continued. "This incident was minor, but it could happen again and be more serious next time. Valleria needs stability and it's time we plan for the future." He glanced over at Genevieve and they joined hands on the table.

After nearly a minute's silence, Finn spoke first. "Wow. Well, this is certainly a surprise, but we, of course, support your decision."

"Of course, Papa," Arianna agreed.

"Indeed, Gabriel," Rio said. "Please let us know what you need from us." He glanced at Alex and Rebecca. "All of you, please don't hesitate to let us know."

Murmurs of agreement echoed around the table.

Rebecca smiled. "Thank you. We appreciate that."

"We certainly do, and we'll hold you to it," Alex added.

"When are you planning for the official change to take place?" Nate asked as he glanced at Charlie beside him. "Will it be soon?"

Alex shook his head. "No, though we were aiming for the end of the year."

"Spring would be better, just weather-wise," Cat said. "And we need to think about clothes…we'll need to coordinate and that takes time too."

"I understand, but Papa shouldn't have to wait that long for some rest," Alex said, and understanding dawned on people's faces. "Not to mention, we'll want to time it after Charlie's given birth, but before Sarah and Lily do. In any case, we're not announcing it yet, and won't until maybe a month after the mourning period ends."

In the excitement of new beginnings, they'd forgotten for a moment that someone wouldn't be there to share it.

As the table went silent, Rebecca glanced down at her ring again. She straightened her fingers, then moved them so the ring could catch the light. The warmth of the amethyst comforted her and contrasted with the cool of the diamonds. Growing up, Rebecca had seen so many pictures and videos and even portraits of Victoria wearing this ring, even though Charles had died years prior. Victoria had loved this ring and had only given it up when Alex had asked for it for her.

When Alex squeezed Rebecca's other hand, she looked up at him, her eyes wet but no tears falling. Part of it was the loss of Victoria, but she was overwhelmed by everything else too.

She knew she had to be strong, had to be the best and most perfect queen for the people. But she was only human, and she hadn't grown up in a privileged life, prepared to lead. She might have grown up on the palace grounds, but her parents' home was as far from the palace as one could get.

In Alex's eyes, she saw some of the same emotions, so she took a deep breath to steady herself. She gave him a small smile, letting him know she was okay, and he nodded.

Alex glanced around the table. "There's a lot to be sorted out, but we wanted you to know. We'll take things one step at a time and, for now, let's focus on the funeral first. We'll go through the details tomorrow after breakfast. We'd like everyone to stay a few days after the funeral so we can sort out some of the abdication and coronation details, particularly to fix a date that works well for everyone here."

"What about the Council?" Marcello asked as he crossed his arms. "Will they find out early? They won't be happy about this change."

"When are they ever happy?" Gabriel replied. "They'll be informed the same time as the public. As far as the law is concerned, they don't need to be informed ahead of time, though I'm sure they'll say they do after the fact."

"And the rest of the family?" Carolina asked as she adjusted one of her many bracelets. "Are we telling them early?"

"Only a few," Alex answered. "I'll be taking care of that. Most of them will find out with the public, so don't share with anyone else, even your dependable cousins."

More questions bubbled up around the table as they proceeded to eat, with Alex responding as best he could. Eventually, Rebecca interjected. If they kept up like this, they'd be here all night. "We know everyone still has questions, but perhaps we could wait until tomorrow. I think it's best we finish up dinner and head to bed early." She glanced at Gabriel, who gave her a thankful smile.

"I agree, Rebecca," Genevieve said with a smile of her own. "It's going to be a busy year and an even busier week ahead. Let's finish up and get some rest. Carolina, dear, please ring to have the dessert brought in."

As the conversation turned lighter again, Rebecca let out a breath. Everything had gone relatively well, and no one seemed to be upset at the thought of her and Alex taking over, but she wasn't sure if everything had sunk in yet. Or maybe they wanted to express their disapproval on their own and not in front of the whole group.

Still, she'd take things one day at a time, and handle any detractors that came their way.