48 hours to fall in love

Part 30

Upon arriving at the castle, Vilma said goodbye to David with a nod of her head, after which he retired to the stable where he was strongly reprimanded by the foreman for having lost the horses. David was really surprised by the sermon, because the horses were in their respective places, perfectly clean, and ready to sleep.

-But sir, the horses are there? said David, not wanting to sound like the world's biggest know-it-all.

-Oh, really, you don't say? I thought the horses were still missing. Well, it's obvious they're here, sopenco, but don't think they got here on their own. A disinterested and charitable citizen informed us that he saw some horses totally disoriented on Twelfth Avenue and that they looked like the horses of the royal family. And, indeed, they were the horses that belong to royalty. But well, my boy, to conclude, you better keep your eyes wide open, because it was because of things like this that the previous driver was fired, and if you don't pay enough attention and don't do your job well, someone else will come to replace you, do you understand me? -said the stable manager.

-Yes, sir," said David, with a voice that did not hide how embarrassed he was, for it was his first day and he had already messed everything up.

He left the stable as fast as he could, and went home, on the way, he could not stop thinking about Lady Vilma, and the incredible and beautiful day he had spent with her, with the princess, he could not even believe that all that had happened. She couldn't wait to get home, and tell everything to her mother and brother, who of course could not believe it, but would slowly and slowly assimilate it.

Meanwhile, Lady Vilma entered the palace and greeted her parents, who were returning from their important meetings and business.

-Hello, how was your day? -asked the young lady.

-A little tired, Vilma, but quite well, wasn't it, my dear? -King Fabius asked Queen Elizabeth, who nodded her head and returned the question to Lady Vilma, who, trying to conceal as much as she could, told her parents that it had been quite normal, that nothing out of the ordinary had happened. To which Queen Elizabeth reacted with discouragement, she did not expect that answer from her daughter.

The queen then shot a look begging King Fabius to leave them alone, but, like most men, King Fabius did not escape the rule of being slow to understand women's encrypted messages. Fabius frowned, confused at the look Queen Elizabeth was giving him, to which she had to say:

-My love, could you leave Vilma and I alone, I need to talk to her about something important.

King Fabius, after the obvious expulsion, granted Queen Elizabeth's request, and left the room.

-I will leave you alone," said King Fabius, as he was leaving the room.

Once he had left the room, Lady Vilma gave a questioning look to her mother.

-Mother, what is it? -asked the princess.

Daughter, it is evident to both of us that you only have one day, one day to find the man who will join you for the rest of your life, and not to pressure you, but if you don't do it, we will lose the kingdom of Empress, and with it our luxurious lifestyle, our luxurious rooms and all our lives will take a 180-degree turn. -Said Isabel, trying not to sound desperate, however, it was obvious to Vilma that she was not succeeding. So she decided to interrupt her:

-Mom, I know you have every reason to be very worried, and I am too, because not only our welfare is at stake, but the welfare of the whole kingdom is too heavy a burden for me, which I am just beginning to live. It is too abrupt, and too overwhelming, and you don't know how much I wish things didn't have to be this way, but if it is any consolation, mother, I promise you that if I don't find the love of my life tomorrow, I will marry Prince Smuel of Surilot," said Lady Vilma.

-Oh, daughter, you don't know how happy it makes me to hear you say something so mature and comforting on your behalf. I have been so worried thinking about you all this day, thinking that this burden would be too heavy and you wouldn't be able to handle it and would end up collapsing," said Queen Elizabeth, as she offered a condescending look to her daughter, and stroked her shoulder.

-Mom, tell me something, how much have I let you down, when have I ever been the cause of any disappointment to you? I have always been an exemplary daughter, I have always made you proud of me, I don't see why you should be worried. I know this is a challenge for me, a very big challenge, and the only thing I ask for is your unconditional support, it is something you have never denied me, and I know you will not do it now.

-Oh daughter, I am so proud of you, I know you will make your father and I feel like the luckiest parents in the world. Let me tell you a little story, or well, it's not just any story, it's more like your mother's story, but when I was a young girl, just like you. Back then I was the daughter of one of the wealthiest men in the kingdom of Empress, so it was natural for my family to meet the royal family at the most exclusive and classy social events. In one of those events, I met your father, the young Fabio, and it was love at first sight, he had everything I always looked for in a man, and he was so attentive, so helpful and kind that I ended up falling madly in love; however, a month and a half after meeting him, he informed me about the situation of the kingdom and how crucial it was for him to get married in order to inherit the crown, and with it the kingdom of Empress. After explaining everything in detail, he knelt before me and asked me to be his wife. It was the happiest night of my life, because I had just said yes to the man I loved, I do not deny that it was difficult, really difficult to assimilate everything, because becoming the wife of the king of Empress is not something that happens every day, but in my heart I knew that being the wife of such an important figure, politically speaking was what mattered least to me. I felt happy and fulfilled with Fabio by my side, no matter if tomorrow he would no longer be king and would become a humble subordinate, because he was the person I wanted to share my whole life with. Now 35 years later, you, my daughter, are in my same situation, only that the cards have turned around and you are the one who has to propose marriage. Don't let this story I just told you make you feel bad because you haven't found the love of your life yet, don't feel sorry for yourself. We all have different times to do certain things that will impact our lives in one way or another. You will see that the Prince Charming you are looking for is closer than you think," said Queen Elizabeth, who wrapped her arms around Lady Vilma, giving her all the warmth of a mother.

-Thank you, mother, for everything, really. You are the best mother in the world," thanked Vilma, as she closed her eyes and rested her head on Queen Elizabeth's chest.

They stayed like that, in that position, Vilma being cuddled by her mother, a few minutes passed, until Isabel said she had to leave so she could let her rest, before leaving the room she asked Vilma if she had an appetite to have a snack brought to her room.

-No, mom, thank you, but I'm not hungry," answered Vilma as she leaned back against the back of the bed.

-All right, daughter, have a good rest," he told her, as he left the room and closed the door softly so as not to make too much noise.

Vilma, for her part, got out of bed and went to her closet to get some pajamas so she could fall asleep soon. She had a lot to think about, but her head kept rewinding over and over to the wonderful day she had had with David, her new driver, and how much fun it had all been. She had gotten so excited thinking about David that she didn't realize when an hour had passed. No, Vilma, sleep, sleep, tomorrow you have a big day ahead of you and you need to rest to face it with the best of energy. However, she did not stop thinking about everything she would do tomorrow.