Princess Leonor : Viva la Reina! (English Version)

25. The Separation

Umberto could only remain silent as his belongings were moved by the servants to another room. The room was located in the southern part of the Zarzuela palace, near Umberto's office, but far from Leonor's room, or rather, Leonor and Umberto's former room.

"I take this as an insult, Leonor. I know you are the queen. But you should not be punish me like this. I would rather leave this palace."

Leonor didn't move. Her arms were folded across her chest. Umberto tried to grab her hand, but Leonor managed to push it away.

Finally Leonor looked back at Umberto.

"I don't want to see you next to me every morning when I wake up. But for the sake of the kingdom, for our own sake, for the sake of our children, you have to stay here. If you stay in your apartment or your parents' house, then people will know that we have problems. Or even worse, they might find out about your affair scandal."

"But..."

"For God's sake, Umberto, make sacrifices for the sake of our children, temporarily."

"Temporary? So this is only temporary?"

"I.. don't know..." Leonor sighed.

"Okay. I'm sure this is only temporary. And I'm sure you still love me."

Umberto kissed Leonor's forehead quickly and then ran out laughing. 

"Damn it!" Leonor cursed as she rubbed her forehead

_________________

That night Leonor had trouble sleeping. Whether it was because her husband was not by her side or what. She herself became unsure about her decision for separation.

Finally Leonor came out of her room. Her footsteps took her outside the palace. It was a crescent moon. The sky was filled with stars. Leonor headed towards the chairs behind the palace.

Unexpectedly, there was someone already sitting there first.

"Why are you here?" Leonor asked.

"Same question for you. Why are you here?" the man said.

"I can't sleep," Leonor answered honestly.

"Maybe it's because your bed is too cold right now," her husband teased.

"You know what? You can't change my decision. We'll sleep in our own rooms. And don't bother me."

"You're the one who bother me. I got here first."

"Okay. I just want to look at the stars." Leonor sat down on one of the chairs. But there was a distance from her husband.

Umberto nodded.

"I used to be obsessed with astronomy. If I wasn't queen, I wanted to be an astronaut. It's funny, I think" Leonor continued.

"No. I think it's normal. Leaving Earth and all its problems for a planet with new hope. It's cool ."

"Yes, the earth and all its problems. Everyone wants to get away from it all. But now there are my children. I can't leave them."

"OUR children. OURS. I will not abandon them. Neither will you. They are our flesh and blood. Our legacy ."

Leonor did not reply to her husband's words anymore. The cold autumn wind began to blow. Leonor crossed her arms over her chest.

Umberto turned to his wife.

"You should come in. It's late and cold. You can see the stars from your balcony." 

"Okay. You too. Take care of your health."

Leonor smiled and then went to her own room.

Meanwhile, Umberto had not moved from his seat. For him, outside or in his room, it was the same. It was the same as he was still alone, without Leonor. 

But in the middle of the night, he finally went into his own room. Everything was strange to him. The room was smaller than his previous room. And even though the heater was on, he still felt cold and empty. It was several hours before he could fall asleep.

In his dream, he danced with Leonor on their honeymoon in the Maldives which could not be done because Felipe died. In the dream, Felipe was still alive and Leonor was not yet queen. Everything was beautiful. Umberto did not want to wake up from his dream.

But at 8 am he finally woke up. His right hand touched another part of the bed. However, only a cold pillow greeted him. Of course, his wife was not beside him.

Fuck!