Princess Leonor : Viva la Reina! (English Version)

28. The Result

Three weeks later...

Umberto stared at the white envelope in front of him. He had never felt so afraid. It felt like the envelope contained a decision between life and death, or between heaven and hell.

It felt so heavy for his hands to move. But finally his curiosity overcame everything. He reached for the envelope that came from Switzerland.

On the front of the envelope it was written

To Umberto Saxe-Coburg-Gotha Garcia de la Rasilla.

Yes, for security reasons he uses his real name, not his title HRH Prince Consort.

His hands trembled as he held the paper in the envelope. He read the sentences written from top to bottom. Until the sentence

You two are 99% genetically matched as parent and child.

Matched? Our DNA matches? Does that mean the child is mine?

The world was spinning for Umberto. His trembling hand reached for the handle of his desk drawer. He pulled out a black gun from it.

Tears fell from his eyes as he prepared to pull the trigger. For him, his life was over. For him, he was just a parasite for Leonor, the Queen. Leonor deserved a better man than him. It would be better for him to die.

____________

But God said otherwise.

Ring...ring...

The phone on his desk rang. Still sobbing, he put the gun back in the drawer. He grabbed a tissue to wipe away his tears. 

"Hello." Umberto hoped his voice sounded normal.

"Hello, my son. Sorry for calling the office. I've tried calling your cellphone but it won't connect. Is there a problem?"

Maria's voice made Umberto cry again. He felt like he didn't deserve to be the son of such a good woman.

"It's nothing, Ma. The battery is low."

"Okay, I just want to ask, are Luisa and Giovanna in Zarzuela? I want to go there, I miss my grandchildren. Can I?"

His heart broke again when he heard the names of his two children being mentioned. He felt like the worst father to them. 

But Umberto had to keep his tone of voice steady so that Maria wouldn't get suspicious.

"Yes, Ma. Of course."

"Alright then. See you later, love."

"See you, Ma." 

After hanging up the phone, he wiped the tears from his face again. Logical thought returned to his brain. I can't die yet.

________

Meanwhile in Paris, Gabrielle's feelings were mixed after reading the DNA test results. She did not ask for fame or money at all. She just wanted Umberto to acknowledge that the child she was carrying was his. But now fear gripped her heart. 

What if Umberto doesn't accept it?
What if Leonor finds out? Angry?
What if they... if they want to kill this child? Kill me too?

________________

Gabrielle was shocked when an unknown number called her. She was scared out of her wits. Was this the person Umberto or Leonor sent to kill me?

"Hello." Gabrielle couldn't help but pick up the call.

"Hello, Gabrielle. Have you received your results?"

The voice relieved Gabrielle. It was Umberto's voice and there was no anger in his words.

"Yes. You?"

"Same."

"Has Leonor..."

"No. Leonor doesn't know yet and no one is allowed to tell her, except me." Umberto's tone rose.

"Okay. Then what is your purpose for calling me?" Gabrielle trembled.

"I want you to abort the child."

Gabrielle couldn't believe what she was hearing.

"No. I want this child. I don't need popularity or money. Please don't force me. This... this is your child too, your own flesh and blood, Umberto."

"But eventually they will know. And my life will be ruined because of it!" Umberto shouted.

"No. I won't tell anyone about this. I only ask for your confession in front of me, not in front of anyone else."

"The child will not be in your womb forever. The child will be born, grow up and ask who his or her father is. What will your answer be if your child asks that?"

"I will say that he or she is the result of an anonymous donor. He or she will not know the truth. We will not sue you. I promise on my life. But please do not force me to abort this child. I loved this child even before he was born!"

"How can I know you're not lying?"

"We can make a formal agreement."

"Hmmm. Good idea. I'll get back to you later."

"Okay. See you then." Gabrielle's heart was relieved.

"See you." Umberto ended the call, put his phone in his pocket, then looked back. He was speechless for a moment.

Leonor had been standing there for a long time.