Blue Blooded - [Mick Schumacher]

Sixteen

The time they spend in Zürich was going to be the most memorable one, Lucia thought for herself as she packed her luggage again. She had loved the couple days in which Mick told her all about Zürich, the Swiss Empire and the beautiful cherry blossoms. And the day on which he told her he loved her. The butterflies fluttered around in her stomach when she thought about the sound of those three words he said to her. It meant a lot and she was happy, intensely happy, to be able to respond with the same three words. Mick and Lucia were expected at the breakfast they were having together with the Duke and Duchess of Zürich. They were already seated at the long, broad table when Mick and Lucia were guided into the large dining room. "Good morning, king, queen." Both of them stood up to bow quickly for the royal couple. Mick shoved a chair back for Lucia, and she smiled at him as she sat down at the table too.

"Good morning," Lucia replied. "We hope you had a pleasant night rest," the duchess responded, a smile on her face. "We had, thank you very much," Mick said and they sat back for a moment when the maids twirled around their chairs and poured in the freshly pressed orange juice, filling the table with bread that was still steaming. "Where will your journey go now?" The duke asked. "We're going up to Bern," Mick started and Lucia remained quiet, reaching for the fruit and the bread to start on her breakfast. "Bern, I see," the duke nodded slowly. "Joaquim stepped into the role of his father," he continued. "His political decisions are... questionable," the duke let out a soft laugh. Lucia looked between the duke and Mick. "What do you mean?" Mick asked. "It's been said that he aimed for the crown, considering your identity as the royal prince has been hidden for quite some time," he replied.

"They didn't know you were the prince?" Lucia interrupted and Mick looked over at her as he shook his head. "My parents didn't want me to stand in the public spotlight till I was old enough to understand that I was the one taking the crown. They did the same with my sister. Most of the empire didn't even know that Gina and I were part of the royal family," Mick explained. "In case the king and queen don't have heirs, they will choose the perfect candidate to take over the crown, which is part of the Swiss tradition. It has happened only once before," Mick said and Lucia nodded. "But what does that have to do with Joaquim of Bern?" Lucia asked. "Queen, Joaquim was prepared for the crown since he was very little. King Michael and Duke Eric were in a good friendship, which was ruined when Mick appeared to be the son and the future King," the duchess added. "So, you were a little secret?"Lucia said, a small giggle escaping her.

"I was," Mick laughed softly. "We were glad to hear about Mick, the whole empire was," the duchess smiled at the memories. "We are not sure how he will respond to your visit, Mick, Lucia," the duke added. "But if you were restricted to travel to Bern, you would have known already." Mick nodded. "I have no hostile means. What ended between my father and his father was between them, and it would be unprofessional of him to carry a wrath that way," Mick sighed. "It would be very unprofessional, but not everyone was raised by a king like your father, Mick," the duchess added softly and Lucia felt her heart squeezing in her chest as she noticed that her words were moving for Mick too. She reached for his hand under the table and she gently squeezed his wrist, which made him look over at her with a smile, their fingers intertwining tightly. "We didn't mean to cause any worry, my king," the duke said. "We only want the relationships of the kingdom to be as prosper as they can be."

"It's alright, I understand," Mick said, straightening his posture. "Let's finish this amazing breakfast before we have to leave this wonderful place," he said and they all agreed.

Lucia could notice that Mick was in his head about the situation with the Duke of Bern, and it made him remain quiet for an hour already, while he loosely held the reins of Elias' bridle as the horse had a steady pace over the path. "Is everything alright?" Lucia asked, her hands gliding over his lower arms while she sat comfortably in front of him in the saddle. "I'm just concerned," Mick replied. "Sorry," he followed up, realizing he had been quiet most of the time and that he hadn't been very responsive to whatever she said during the ride from Zürich to Bern. "No need to apologize for it," she hummed, her thumb brushing over the back of his right hand. "What are you concerned about?" she asked. "That Joaquim of Bern might have hostile intentions. Perhaps we should turn around and go back," Mick said, openly speaking about his thoughts. "But he has to accept you as his king as well, Mick. Staying away from Bern won't solve the problem," Lucia said. "I know, but it can trigger future problems," Mick said.