A Tangled Web of Truth | Complete (ONC 2021 Shortlister)

20. A Fitting End

The king and queen had set out many ground rules for the meeting with the group of demonstrators, and Alejandro and Alicia had been careful to follow them all. No point getting in trouble for something as simple as not letting a guard stand inside the door.

After several hours of discussing everything they could think of regarding orphanages and child welfare, everyone agreed the meeting should conclude for the day. 

When the meeting was over, Alejandro and Alicia stood in the entrance and held hands until the last of the participants, a man named Johannes, walked out into the courtyard. When the doors finally closed behind him, the whole palace breathed a sigh of relief.

Alicia rested her head on Alejandro's shoulder, and he let go of her hand so he could pull her into a hug. "We did it," he said, kissing the top of her head. "We actually got somewhere and no one even had to yell."

"Well, I wouldn't say 'we did it' just yet," Alicia laughed. "But I think it was a really good start. They seemed to feel like we were listening to them. I mean, I know we were listening to them, but sometimes people can't see that so I'm just glad. I'm glad that it seems we all found some common ground we can work from."

"Who doesn't want to make life better for orphaned children?"

"I don't know. Maybe awful people?"

"Which we are not, so there was nothing to fear."

Alicia laughed. "Very low bar, Alejandro."

"Maybe so, but it's also true. I know you're dying to go work on this project and have something ready to go by tonight even though we don't meet again for a week, but could we pause for some lunch?"

Alicia nodded. "Yes, please. Let's celebrate my first day as a free woman with no more concussion checks."

"I am grateful for that every day. I was thinking your favourite little courtyard might be nice."

"It would be, but remember your parents gave us the stern look about appearances in public to mend the situation with my... what did they call it?"

"I believe my mother enjoys the term 'little stunt' to describe these types of situations. I don't even know what that means, but I do know it means I end up with homework for the sake of the country or something."

"Maybe we can do lunch in town. Ailine has a little coffee shop she likes. I can ask her."

"I'll get the car brought around and go put on less formal clothes, then. Meet you back here in fifteen."

Alejandro had to admit the idea of being apart from her grew less appealing each day he spent with her. People kept warning him this feeling would wear off, and he was sure they were right, but for that moment, he was finally ready to just feel what he felt.

That is called trust, his grandmother would have said if she were still alive. The part of life where we find someone we know will protect us so wholly we no longer feel the need to protect ourselves.

And she was. Alicia was someone he could trust. She was also so much more.

* * *

The whole day in town was far less eventful than Alejandro was expecting. His parents had made it seem like their being out in public would massively help the 'problems' that were facing the monarchy. But he and Alicia had eaten sandwiches at Ailine's favourite coffee shop and held hands as they circled the pond in the botanical gardens and nothing had really happened.

At the end of the day, just as the shops were about to close, Alicia had begged him to go into the jewellery shop nearby. He was powerless to resist the eager smile on her face as she pulled him toward the shop and pointed to a small leaf necklace in the display case.