Between our hands

Chapter 63: Bonds and Commitments.

That evening's dinner was a special occasion. All the members of the royal family gathered around the large table in the dining room adorned with crystal chandeliers and gilded decorations. The atmosphere, though formal, was charged with excitement and satisfaction after a day of fieldwork.

Maëlle and Samy arrived together, as usual, but that night, Samy made sure to stand slightly back to let Maëlle take her place among her family. He knew this dinner would be an opportunity for everyone to share their experiences from the visits to the villages and neighborhoods of the capital.

The king, seated at the head of the table, opened the discussion by raising his glass. “My dear children, today has been a very special day for our family. Each of you has contributed to something great. I look forward to hearing your stories.”

Sacha, always quick to speak, was the first to jump in. “We visited the downtown hospital today,” he began. “There’s still much to be done, but I have to say that seeing the smiles on the patients' faces when they learned that the medications would be funded by the Crown… it touched me.”

“Especially when you tried to pronounce the name of that medical device,” Daniel added with a laugh, prompting a wave of laughter around the table.

Sacha pretended to be frustrated. “Hey, it’s not my fault if those terms are unpronounceable! But anyway, that’s not what matters, is it? The important thing is that we’re providing solutions.”

Nahia, sitting nearby, smiled and nodded. “As for me, I visited a school where we’re going to launch a nutrition program for the children. It was moving to see how excited the little ones were about having balanced meals every day. But there’s so much to do… This is just the beginning, and we really need to ensure this program is supported in the long term.”

“That’s a beautiful project, Nahia,” Victor added. “Children are our future, and we must do everything we can to give them a good start in life.” He then turned to Maëlle, signaling for her to share her experience.

Maëlle, who had been listening attentively, straightened slightly before speaking. “Samy and I spent the day in a remote village that suffers from a severe lack of drinking water. We oversaw the beginning of work to install a water distribution system. It was heartbreaking to see how much these families need such basic things. But at the same time, it was encouraging to witness their resilience.”

All eyes turned to Samy, who had remained silent, attentive to Maëlle's words. “They were very receptive,” he finally added, his calm voice drawing the attention of the table. “There is hope, even in the most remote places. We just need to support them so they can fend for themselves.”

The queen, who had been listening closely to each account, spoke up. “It’s a blessing to see each of you so engaged. These projects show that we are on the right track.”

Nohé nodded enthusiastically. “I visited a center for the elderly today. They need more care, trained staff. I talked with several of them, and they were thrilled to see that someone cared about their well-being. We really must ensure these people have a dignified end to their lives.”

Victor, who had been listening with pride to everyone’s stories, took a sip of his wine before speaking. “I also saw things today that struck me. In an underprivileged neighborhood of the city, we spoke with young people who have fallen into delinquency due to a lack of opportunities. We absolutely must find ways to offer them a future; otherwise, this cycle of poverty and violence will continue.”

A moment of silence fell over the table as everyone reflected on the challenges mentioned. The king finally broke the silence by looking at his children and grandchildren with a serious yet determined expression. “What you are doing, what we are all doing, is essential for the future of this country. We have a great responsibility, not only to our people but also to ourselves, to be worthy of the roles we occupy.”

Maëlle gently caressed Samy’s hand under the table, a comforting gesture that did not go unnoticed by Victor and Sacha. She knew that this mission, although challenging, was what she had been prepared for her entire life. And she was grateful to have someone by her side who shared this vision, this determination to make a difference.

After everyone had shared their experiences, the conversation shifted to lighter topics, with amusing anecdotes from the day. The teasing resumed, especially toward Samy, who, despite his seriousness, couldn’t help but smile at every remark. “I’m here to protect Maëlle, not to be the star of the evening,” he joked, triggering another wave of laughter.

Nahia, teasing, replied, “But you’re also our hero, Samy! The princess needs you to brave the dangers of the palace.”

“Ah, the dangers of the palace… like choosing between apple juice and orange juice!” Daniel quipped, causing another round of laughter.

But despite the laughter, a shadow lingered. The awareness that these projects, while essential, would not be easy to carry out. That they would require constant effort, vigilance at all times. And above all, a united family and unwavering determination.

The king, aware of the atmosphere, decided to refocus the conversation. “As a family, we must remain united in our commitment. It is together that we will succeed in making changes. Let each of us remember the mission we have chosen: to serve our people.”

The dinner ended on a note of camaraderie and commitment. Maëlle and Samy, along with the other family members, rose from the table with the certainty that the path they were on was the right one, even though the road ahead promised to be filled with obstacles.

Once the meal was finished, they headed to the living room, where refined desserts awaited them. Maëlle took a moment of calm to slip away with Samy into the garden adjoining the palace. The softness of the night and the scent of the flowers enveloped them, creating an intimate and serene atmosphere.

“You were wonderful tonight,” she told him, appreciating his comforting presence.

Samy smiled at her, the stars shining in his eyes. “It’s easy to rise to the occasion when I see how passionate you are about what you do.”

She leaned against the wall, a sigh of satisfaction escaping her lips. “I hope we can continue moving forward together, tackling challenges.”

Their hands intertwined, symbolizing their mutual commitment, both personal and professional. The night wore on, but their determination remained intact, ready to face the days to come.