𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐉𝐎𝐊𝐄𝐑 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐐𝐔𝐄𝐄𝐍, george weasley

023

TWENTY THREE

The golden light of early morning bathed the halls of Buckingham Palace as Victoria made her way down the quiet corridors.

The stillness wrapped around her like a heavy cloak. She moved silently, her slippered feet barely making a sound, her thoughts louder than anything else. Her friends were still fast asleep, sprawled in her chambers.

As she passed Fred and George, her heart softened. She leaned down and kissed each of their heads, brushing George's messy hair off his forehead and murmuring softly, "You snore like an old man."

Neither stirred.

But Victoria's calm exterior cracked as she closed her door behind her. She felt the weight of the past few days pressing down on her, suffocating. She headed for the dining room, her chest tightening with every step.

Two guards straightened as she approached, their polished boots clicking against the marble floor. One of them opened the grand door. "Your Royal Highness," he announced formally, his voice reverberating through the room.

Victoria stepped inside and immediately saw her grandmother sitting at the far end of the long table, a plate of toast and marmalade in front of her. The Queen wore a pale blue cardigan and pearls, her silver hair immaculately styled, as always. She glanced up from the newspaper she was reading and smiled warmly.

"Good morning, Victoria," she said, her voice kind but alert. She gestured to the chair across from her. "Come, sit down."

"Good morning, Granny." Victoria's voice wavered slightly as she crossed the room and took the seat offered. The butler appeared as if conjured, placing tea and toast in front of her, but Victoria barely noticed. Her eyes were fixed on the neatly folded copy of the Daily Mail beside her grandmother's plate. The headline screamed her name, and the now-infamous bikini photo dominated the front page.

The Queen followed her gaze and chuckled lightly, tapping the newspaper with a finger. "Quite the stir you've caused this time, my dear."

Victoria's cheeks burned, and her voice cracked as she tried to explain. "Granny, I'm so sorry—I didn't even know they were taking pictures. I never wanted—"

"Stop right there," Elizabeth interrupted, her tone firm but not unkind. She folded the paper and set it aside, leaning forward slightly. "You don't need to apologize. Not to me, nor to anyone else."

"But... I embarrassed the family," Victoria stammered, her voice breaking. "Dad's furious. He—he said I was acting like..." Her throat closed up, and she shook her head, her hands trembling as they gripped the edge of the table.

The Queen reached across the table and gently placed her hand over Victoria's. "Victoria," she said softly, her voice laced with tenderness, "listen to me. That picture shows a confident, beautiful young woman. There is absolutely nothing to be ashamed of."

Victoria blinked rapidly, trying to keep the tears at bay. "But I don't feel confident, Granny. I don't feel beautiful. All I feel is... is pressure. Like I'm failing at everything. Dad's right—"

"Your father," the Queen interrupted, her voice growing firmer, "has always been quick to critique and slow to understand. But he does not decide your worth. Do you hear me?"

Victoria nodded mutely, a single tear slipping down her cheek.

Elizabeth's gaze softened as she continued, her voice warm and steady. "Do you know why I believe in you? Why I know you will be an extraordinary queen one day?"

Victoria shook her head, her voice barely above a whisper. "Why?"

"Because you care," Elizabeth said simply. "You care deeply, perhaps too deeply at times, but that is a strength, not a weakness. Your compassion, your empathy—those are what will make you a leader the world will admire. Just like your mother."

At the mention of her mother, Victoria let out a soft sob. She lowered her head, pressing her hands to her face. "Granny, I don't know if I can do it. I don't know if I'm enough. What if I'm not strong enough? What if I let everyone down?"

The Queen stood and walked around the table, kneeling gracefully beside her granddaughter. She reached out and gently pulled Victoria's hands away from her face, cupping her cheeks with both hands.

"My darling girl," Elizabeth said, her voice barely above a whisper but filled with conviction. "You are stronger than you know. You are not perfect, and you never have to be. You are enough just as you are. And when the time comes, you will be a queen who leads with her heart. The people already adore you, and not because of the crown on your head, but because of the person you are."

Victoria couldn't hold back her tears any longer. She leaned forward, wrapping her arms around her grandmother and burying her face in her shoulder. For a moment, she just cried, letting out all the fear and frustration she had been holding inside.

Elizabeth held her tightly, one hand stroking her hair. "You are not alone, Victoria," she murmured. "You will never be alone in this. You have me, you have your mother, and you have those wonderful friends of yours upstairs. We will all be here for you, always."

When Victoria finally pulled back, her eyes were red, but she felt lighter, as though a weight had been lifted from her chest. "Thank you, Granny," she said hoarsely, her voice thick with emotion.

Elizabeth smiled, brushing a tear from Victoria's cheek. "Anytime, my darling." She returned to her seat, smoothing her cardigan as though nothing had happened. "Now, finish your toast, and for goodness' sake, try to keep the bikini photos to a minimum next summer, hmm?"

Victoria let out a watery laugh, wiping her face with a napkin. "I'll do my best, Granny."

The Queen smiled, her eyes twinkling. "Good girl."