Mi Princesa

Part Two - Chapter Four: George's Funeral

Fernando took a deep breath as he helped Vanessa out of the car, he smiled weakly at her knowing that this wasn’t easy; he drew her close and looked over at the coffin that held her father.

Vanessa sniffled and cuddled into Fernando’s side, she couldn’t believe how quickly this day had arrived and she wished that they didn’t have to do this; she could feel everyone’s eyes on her as slowly the coffin was removed from the hearse.

It had been a long morning and the couple had made the decision that Nora and Bojan would remain at home with Stephanie, the royal nanny; a funeral was no place for the two young children especially with everyone watching them.

“It’ll be okay,” Fernando whispered wrapping an arm around Vanessa, he looked over at Charlotte who was with Henri; none of them were prepared for what was going to happen today.

Fernando held his wife close before they slowly started to follow the coffin into the church, he wasn’t going to leave Vanessa’s side not when she needed him right now; it was going to be a rough day as it was.

Vanessa wiped away her tears, she wanted everything to be perfect for her father’s funeral and she was glad that Fernando was here with her; she needed him and he was being so supportive.

Slowly the royal family made their way into Windsor Abbey, the last time that they had all been there was for Vanessa and Fernando’s wedding back in June; it had been such a wonderful and happy occasion for the now devastated family.

“I can’t believe he’s gone,” Vanessa whispered looking at the coffin, it looked so small and it was hard for her to think that her father lay inside; it made everything seem so unreal to her right now.

Fernando was silent, he couldn’t imagine how she felt and he knew that he wasn’t going to leave her alone; the last thing he wanted was someone upsetting Vanessa even more than she already was.

Quietly everyone took their seats as the Archbishop of Andorra stood before the entire gathering, he would preside over the funeral of the former King; it had been a horrible shock to everyone when George had passed away.

Fernando wrapped an arm around his wife as he peeked down at her, she was wearing a black premium belted dress paired with black square toe court shoes; he hoped that he would never see her in this state again for a long time.

Vanessa rested against Fernando, she would make it up to him after all he had done for her; she truly would have been lost without him by her side right now.

Charlotte was seated next to her sister along with her fiancé Henri, he was silent as he comforted his grieving fiancée; he had done his best for Charlotte since they had returned to the capital for the funeral.

On the other side of Henri there was Joseph who was sat with Grace who was whispering softly to him, her hand holding his as she tried to comfort her boyfriend of two months.

Elizabeth was sat a little away from her grandchildren, preferring to sit closer to her daughter; she wept as Margaret tried to comfort her mother in some way.

“We are gathered here today to lay to rest His Majesty King George of Andorra,” Archbishop of Andorra began to address the people that were gathered before him, there were so many political dignitaries and royal families in attendance and Andorra had never seen the like before.

George had been such a popular king and he had focused his life on improving the international relations between the small island and the world.

Only time would tell what sort of Queen Vanessa would be in her father’s place but the Archbishop was sure she would be a good one.

***

Vanessa forced a smile as she listened to yet another Politian talk about her father, she knew that they all meant well but some of the people that she had spoken to seemed forced and she just wanted to relax a little.

Fernando had popped away to call home to ensure that Nora and Bojan would be okay, he worried about the children as much as he worried about her right now.

“Excuse me,” Vanessa murmured interrupting the English former prime minister that had been talking to her, she wasn’t going to talk politics while she wasn’t in the right frame of mind.

The man looked at her and nodded before allowing her to walk away, he frowned before his wife whispered softly to him; they were a little surprised that she had interrupted him like that.

Vanessa silently made her way out of the main room where the wake was being held, she needed some fresh air and she doubted anyone would truly notice that she was missing for a few minutes.

It didn’t take Vanessa long to find the quiet gardens that lay out of sight to the outside world, she closed the door behind her as she stepped out into the cold night air.

Vanessa shivered a little before she continued walking through the garden, she paused for a moment and slipped on her heels so that she could walk on the grass; she left them behind doubting that she would forget them.

The garden was silent and Vanessa was grateful for that, she was exhausted and she couldn’t wait to go home to the children; it was getting dark now and she hoped to see them before they went to bed.

Moving to sit on a bench, Vanessa wrapped her arms around herself wondering if her father had been watching over them; she closed her eyes as a tear trailed down her face making her want to burst into tears again.

There was no doubt in Vanessa’s mind that her head of security was watching over her from a distance, she wasn’t in any of danger in the Bruckstone Palace gardens but they wouldn’t want to take that risk.

Vanessa sat in silence for a while before she heard someone approaching her from behind, she didn’t turn around instead focused at looking at the sky; she felt a warm jacket being placed on her shoulders making her sigh.

Fernando silently sat down next to his wife, he was a little relieved that she had taken time to herself and he hoped that it did help her; it had annoyed him how many people had wished to speak to her about things that weren’t suitable for a wake.

The couple sat in silence, they both knew that sooner or later they had to return inside but for now they were okay sitting in the garden for a while; they were able to have a moment of peace without having to worry about anyone else.

“How are the children?” Vanessa asked quietly, she peeked at Fernando as he finally reached out to her and pulled her close; he was warm and she couldn’t help but cuddle close to him.

Fernando rested his head against hers, he wanted nothing more to head home to Nora and Bojan but it wasn’t possible right now; they were going to have to deal with everyone else first since they couldn’t just up and leave.

“They’re fine,” Fernando replied gently, he pressed a kiss to Vanessa’s head sure that they would be able to cope with the new responsibilities that were going to come up; he was a little worried about the stress but he was sure they would cope.

Vanessa’s coronation wouldn’t be held for another few months and Fernando knew that people wanted it to happen next summer; he could only imagine how big a celebration that would be especially with Charlotte getting married that year as well.

Whatever happened the couple were going to be fine and Fernando was sure of that.