Princess Leonor : Viva la Reina! (English Version)

29. The Regency

"I heard everything," Leonor said, trying not to cry.

"How did you get in?" Stupid question, Umberto.

"Because I am the Queen." Leonor's hand flew to her husband's cheek hard.

"Okay. I was wrong. You can be angry. You can even divorce me if that's what you want," Umberto said while holding his cheek.

"No. It was my fault. I was wrong for forgiving you the first time I found out you were cheating. I was wrong for giving you a second chance. I was wrong for choosing you as my husband!" 

Leonor paused for a moment to wipe the tears from her cheeks. Meanwhile, Umberto was silent, unable to look at his wife's face.

"I was wrong because I was born to be a queen. A queen cannot divorce. A queen must be strong. A queen must cover up all the scandals of her family," Leonor continued.

"No, Leonor. It's my fault. I'll do whatever you want to make things right."

"Neither you nor I can do anything. Do you know the most famous illegitimate child, Delphine of Belgium? How hard she wanted recognition from her biological father, King Albert II. And after she got that recognition, Queen Paola, his legal wife, could do nothing."

"No. I will make sure the child will not be like Delphine."

"That child is your child, Umberto! And you can't guarantee anything. Maybe in 20 or 30 years he or she will be a nightmare for you, for the kingdom."

While Umberto was silent, Leonor stared at the painting of herself that was displayed on the wall of the room. So beautiful and regal as a queen. But no one knew that the burden on her shoulders was very heavy.

After a while, Leonor decided

"I want to take a break. For a moment."

"What do you mean take a break? Hey, Leonor!"

But Leonor had already stepped out of the room. Her feet stepped to the other side of the palace, precisely to her sister Sofia's office.

__________________

Sofia was preparing a speech script for next week's Cancer Research Foundation event when Leonor walked into her office.

"Oh hey, what's up, Leo?" Sofia greeted without looking up from her laptop.

"I want you to be a regent."

"What? Are you sick?"

"No. Well, maybe yes. I just want to take a break. Maybe just for a few weeks. Nothing more."

"You know, you can tell me anything. Hmm?" Sofia got up from her seat and hugged Leonor.

"It's nothing big. Just a few weeks. I promise. Please." Leonor tried to cover up the real situation. 

"Alright. All for my queen." Sofia knew this had something to do with Umberto's affair but she didn't dare to ask further.

Note: The regent is the representative of the king/queen when the king/queen is unable to carry out his/her duties.

________________

Leonor takes her twins to Estoril, Portugal, where her great-grandfather once had a villa. There she tries to calm her mind and make decisions about her problems.

Meanwhile in Spain, it has been two months since Infanta Sofia took over the reigns of the queen as a regent. The media is wondering why Queen Leonor has suddenly disappeared. There are even conspiracy theories that Leonor has actually been murdered or is already dead. Of course, that is not true.

______________

Leonor reached for her ringing cell phone. She looked at the time. It was already 11 am.

"Hello."

"Hello, Leonor. Why did you just pick up?"

"Sorry, Sofi. I woke up late. What's wrong?" Leonor tried to get up from her bed.

"Are you feeling better?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean it's been two months. More than eight weeks. You said only a few weeks."

"My little sister, eight weeks is just a few weeks. Are you not comfortable replacing me as the 'queen'?" Leonor laughed.

"Ah, I'm asking for real. When are you coming home?" Sofia asked irritably.

"Okay. I'll be home next week."

"Really?"

"I promise."

"Okay. After this I have an event with the Minister of Education. See you."

"OK, have fun, Sofi. See you later."

Leonor exhaled quickly. She had to go back to Spain anyway. And she had already thought about the solution to her problem.