Princess Leonor : Viva la Reina! (English Version)

22. The Flipping Coin

"Bonjour, mademoiselle Arnault," said Letizia from the other end of the phone.

"Bonjour , who is this? What do you need?" Gabrielle didn't understand who was calling her.

"It doesn't matter who we are. But we just wanted to make an offer," Letizia replied.

"Oh, we, at the Embassy do not accept any offers. Sorry," Gabrielle almost hung up the phone, but Letizia immediately said

"We know about you and Umberto."

"What? Who is this?" Gabrielle asked in fear. Her hands and feet suddenly felt cold.

"500,000 euros to end of your relationship and for you to keep your mouth shut. Deal ?"

Gabrielle fell silent. This must have something to do with Queen Leonor's condition, she thought. Somehow she knew she had to back down. She couldn't compete with a queen. But her mind had other ideas, human greed.

"1,000,000 euros," Gabrielle replied after a few minutes of thought.

Letizia sighed. It was too much.

"700,000 euros then, how about that?

"No. 1,000,000 euros. No less." Now Gabrielle was bolder in her bargaining.

"750,000 euros. That's the final offer. If you refuse, we can do anything to you, including terrible things."

Gabrielle got goosebumps. The other side was now threatening her life. She knew she was just a commoner. The royal family could do anything to her. She had no choice but to accept it.

"Okay. I agree," Gabrielle replied.

After playing her hands on her computer keyboard, Letizia replied. "Done. It's been transferred to your account. And don't bother the Spanish royal family again. If you do, remember we can do anything. Anything to you. Au revoir, mademoiselle." Letizia hung up the phone.

One problem solved, she thought. She picked up the cigarette she had put down. Inhale, exhale, her mind began to calm down.

___________________________________

Meanwhile, at the hospital, Sofia is still there for Leonor. Sofia tries to lighten the mood between them.

"Leonor, you have to hear this. There is a funny but also sad anecdote about us." Sofia said while holding Leonor's hand.

Leonor didn't answer. But Sofia knew Leonor heard. Her eyes were still open.

"They say, when a Bourbon is born, God flips a coin. One side, they will cheat, the other side they will be cheated on by their spouse." Sofia explained with a smile, but her eyes were teary.

"We now know where your coin landed. But, don't worry, we won't let Umberto hurt you again," Sofia continued.

"We know that our grandfather, Juan Carlos, cheated on his wife many times. So did his own grandfather, Alfonso XIII. Meanwhile, Aunt Cristina was cheated on by her ex-husband. Mom herself was once the subject of gossip about having an affair. I don't know which facts are true. I just hope Alex isn't cheating on me." Sofia used her left hand to wipe away her tears.

"People have labeled the Bourbons as the scandalous clan. But I believe we can break that damn chain. You are strong, my sister. You are the best queen ever." Sofia continued.

Leonor still didn't respond but Sofia was sure she understood what her sister was saying.

_______________________________

Meanwhile at Umberto's parents' house, Konstantin and Maria were sitting in the living room. A few moments later the door opened. Their only son came in.

"Hey, how's Leonor?" Konstantin asked as he stood up.

"She's awake," Umberto replied flatly.

"Oh, thank God. That's great news," Maria said as she walked over to hug her son. But Umberto just stayed silent, not returning his mother's hug.

"But she can't talk or move her limbs yet. The doctor said it will take time," Umberto continued, still with a flat expression.

"I see. Don't be sad, my son. We will continue to pray for our daughter-in-law, the Queen." Konstantin said while patting his son's shoulder.

"Can I rest here? Zarzuela is too crowded. I'm tired, Ma, Pa." Umberto looked at his father and mother in turn.

"Of course. This is still your house. Your room is still the same as before."

"Then if you'll excuse me, I want to rest." Umberto walked to his room.

"Hey, one more thing, son. How are Luisa and Giovanna, our grandchildren?" Konstantin said, half shouting. But Umberto had already gone into his room and didn't hear him.

"Let him rest," Maria interrupted.

"Hey, did you see, Umberto's behavior seems strange," said Konstantin.

"How strange? You're too suspicious. He's tired." Maria didn't understand.

"It's like he's hiding something. But never mind. Just let him be. I'll ask him when he wakes up." Konstantin finally gave in.

___________________________________

Meanwhile, in the hospital room it was quiet. Leonor had closed her eyes again. From her breathing, it seemed she was asleep. To relieve boredom while waiting for Leonor, Sofia played games on her cellphone.

"Ah, lost again. Damn it." Sofia cursed silently so Leonor wouldn't wake up.

Suddenly there was a notification at the top of his phone screen. A message.

Ahmad
"Your Royal Highness Princess Sofia, I am sorry for the accident that befell Her Majesty Queen Leonor. I also apologize for what happened a few years ago between us ."

Sofia couldn't believe her eyes. Ahmad? The Ahmad she had once had a crush on when she visited Palestine? The Ahmad who had once gone to Spain for her? (For those who don't understand, please read the first-fourth parts).

Finally Sofia replied to the message.

"Thank you, Ahmad. How are you? Still in Germany?"

Sofia looked at her phone screen with a smile. She didn't realize that her "coin" was still spinning, between the side of cheating or being cheated on.