Royal Destiny: The Forced Union of Princess Leonor and Princess Catalina

part 6

Part 6: The Decision

When Catalina and Leonor returned from their secluded getaway, the world around them seemed more intense than ever. The pressures of their royal duties resumed full force, and their secret moments of freedom felt like distant dreams. Yet something had changed. They had found clarity and determination, but now came the most difficult part: deciding how to face the world as a couple.

One crisp autumn afternoon, the two princesses sat across from each other in the drawing room of Zarzuela Palace. Their advisors had gathered to discuss the next steps, their expressions tense with the weight of the decision that lay before them.

“We need to be strategic,” one advisor began, shuffling papers. “Public perception is key. If we reveal your relationship too soon, without proper groundwork, the backlash could be severe.”

Catalina sighed, glancing at Leonor. “It’s frustrating. I want to be honest about us, but it feels like everything has to be calculated.”

Leonor nodded, her jaw set. “I agree. But we knew this wasn’t going to be easy. We have to protect each other and our roles, while still being true to who we are.”

Another advisor leaned forward, eyes narrowed in thought. “What about a gradual approach? Slowly build public support by showcasing your partnership in royal duties. Let people see your bond as something natural, something they can respect and even admire.”

Catalina’s eyes brightened slightly. “That could work. If they see us as a strong team, dedicated to our responsibilities, it might soften the news when we go public about our relationship.”

Leonor frowned, though, clearly grappling with a thought. “But what about our families? My parents still don’t know the full extent of our relationship. We need to approach this with them first, before we make any moves publicly.”

The room fell silent for a moment, the gravity of Leonor’s words settling over them all. Facing their families—people whose lives revolved around centuries of tradition—was perhaps the most daunting task of all.

“I’ll talk to my parents first,” Leonor decided, her voice firm. “They need to hear this from me, and soon.”

Catalina reached across the table, taking Leonor’s hand in hers. “And I’ll be right beside you, no matter what happens.”

---

A week later, Leonor found herself standing outside the grand doors of her parents’ private chambers. She took a deep breath, her heart pounding in her chest. She had rehearsed what she was going to say over and over, but now that the moment had arrived, the weight of it all threatened to overwhelm her.

Pushing the doors open, she stepped inside. Her parents, King Felipe and Queen Letizia, looked up from their reading, smiling warmly at their daughter’s unexpected visit.

“Leonor, come in, darling,” Queen Letizia said, setting her book aside.

Leonor approached slowly, her mind racing. She couldn’t delay this any longer. “Mama, Papa, I need to talk to you about something important.”

The king and queen exchanged a glance, their expressions shifting to concern. “Of course, what is it?” her father asked, his voice steady but cautious.

Leonor took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves. “It’s about Catalina and me.”

Her mother leaned forward, curiosity in her gaze. “Go on.”

Leonor exhaled slowly, her words finally tumbling out. “Catalina and I—we’re more than just friends. We’ve developed feelings for each other, and it’s become something serious.”

The room fell silent, the weight of Leonor’s confession hanging heavily in the air. Her parents looked at her, surprise and uncertainty written across their faces.

Queen Letizia was the first to speak. “I see,” she said carefully, her voice steady. “And have you thought about what this means for your role, for your responsibilities?”

Leonor nodded, though her heart ached at the guarded tone in her mother’s voice. “I have. We both have. We’re committed to fulfilling our duties, but we also want to be honest about who we are. We don’t want to live a lie.”

King Felipe remained quiet, his brow furrowed in thought. After a moment, he spoke, his tone measured. “Leonor, I understand the importance of being true to yourself. But this will not be easy. There are expectations, both from the people and from the institutions we represent.”

Leonor swallowed hard. “I know. But Catalina and I are prepared to face whatever challenges come our way. We just need your support.”

Her parents exchanged another glance, the silence stretching out uncomfortably long. Finally, Queen Letizia sighed, her expression softening. “We’ll support you, Leonor. But you need to understand that the road ahead will be difficult. There will be scrutiny, criticism, and you’ll need to prove yourselves again and again.”

King Felipe nodded. “We’ll stand by you, but you need to be ready for the consequences. We will help you navigate this, but there are no guarantees of how the public or the institutions will react.”

Leonor felt a wave of relief wash over her, though the weight of her parents’ words still pressed heavily on her chest. “Thank you,” she said softly. “That’s all I ask for—for your support.”

Her parents stood, each taking one of her hands in theirs. “We love you, Leonor,” Queen Letizia said, her voice full of warmth. “And we want you to be happy. But we also need you to be prepared for what’s to come.”

---

Later that evening, Leonor returned to her chambers, her heart still heavy from the conversation with her parents. Catalina was waiting for her, sitting by the fireplace, her face anxious.

“How did it go?” Catalina asked, standing as soon as Leonor entered the room.

Leonor sighed, sinking into a chair. “They’re... processing. They’ll support us, but they made it clear this won’t be easy. We’ll face a lot of opposition.”

Catalina nodded, moving to sit beside her. “I expected as much. But at least we have their support.”

Leonor turned to Catalina, her expression softening. “That’s all that matters to me. We’ll get through this, no matter what.”

Catalina smiled, her heart swelling with love for Leonor. “We will. Together.”

As they sat in the quiet of the evening, the fire crackling softly beside them, both princesses knew that they had taken a crucial step toward their future. The road ahead would be challenging, but they were ready to face it together, their bond stronger than ever.

Part 7: The Public Reveal