Everybody Wants to Rule the World

Chapter Six: Back to Lisbon

"Mama where are we going?" Junior asked peeking up at his mother, things had been sort of strange since Cristiano had brought their son back to the tent; he had been busy and it had all happened so fast. 

Camelia had no idea what to make of the fact that they were already traveling back to the capital of the empire, she was nervous especially after it had been revealed to her what Cristiano had planned. 

It made her wonder what was going to happen when she did run into his wife, Camelia couldn't see the other woman being pleased that her husband was bringing home a mistress and a son from a war. 

"We're going to live with your pai," Camelia murmured huddling close to her son and keeping her head down, the boat trip back wouldn't take more than a couple of hours and Camelia could only pray that life would get easier. 

Junior stared up at his mother with confused eyes, he didn't know much about his father and all of this was so strange for him; he cuddled into her side peeking around at people all excited to return to their loved ones and lives. 

"Where is that?" Junior asked softly so only his mother could hear him, he could tell that there was something on Camelia's mind that worried her; she seemed so tense and he knew that something big was going to happen. 

It was silent for a moment and Camelia knew the world had changed so much since the empire had sprung up; she wasn't even sure what to call Portugal anymore. 

"The capital of Lisbon," Camelia replied a little unsure of herself, she brushed her fingers through his hair and held him close; she didn't want to attract any attention to them that wasn't needed. 

Cristiano was busy and the last thing that Camelia wanted was to cause him any grief, she was sure he would have enough of that when he told his wife who he had brought home with him. 

"Will you and papa get married?" Junior asked curiously, his eyes staring up at his mother knowing that now that Ricardo was gone she could be happy with his father.

Camelia stared at Junior, she knew that this was all so new to him and he had enjoyed meeting his father but things were about to take a turn and she wanted him to be prepared for what was coming. 

"No... he already has a wife," Camelia replied as calmly as she could, she didn't want to get upset at the fact that Cristiano had moved on; he'd had every reason to do so after what had happened. 

Camelia just wished that it didn't complicate things now, she knew that there was no way that Catalina would react well to this; she could only imagine how much trouble all of this would cause. 

Silence fell over the mother and son while Camelia's words sunk in, Junior frowned at the news that his father already had a wife when it was very clear that he loved his mother. 

"I want you to be nice to her when we meet her," Camelia mumbled doubting that would really help, they were bound to meet Catalina and it was going to be far from pleasant. 

Camelia didn't know much about Cristiano's wife but from what she had learnt it had been a political marriage arranged by his mother and Catalina's father; there was no way for him to end it without dealing with a backlash that would cost him everything. 

Junior stared at his mother noticing how sad she seemed, he wrapped his arms around her wanting to make her happy again; he just wanted his parents to be happy together. 

It didn't make any sense to him what was going on and he hoped that his father's wife was nice, he'd had enough of horrible step-parents to last him a life-time.

***

"You must be Camelia?" a man said stepping forward to greet the blonde, he had been expecting her and he was sure that everything would be to her liking when they reached the house. 

Camelia peeked up at the stranger, her hand holding onto Junior's tightly knowing nothing of the man before her; she felt a little on edge since she had no idea what was meant to happen now. 

There had been no sign of Cristiano since they had reached the capital and Camelia could only imagine that he had gone to celebrate with the emperor on the wonderful news of another country joining the empire. 

"I am Jorge. Cristiano's right hand man," Jorge Mendes greeted with a kind smile, he didn't know what Cristiano had been thinking when he had decided to bring Camelia home with him but he hoped his boss knew that this wasn't going to end well. 

Camelia slowly nodded her head, her hand holding on tightly to Junior's not wanting to be taken by surprise; she was just going to have to put her trust in Jorge for now. 

"I'm going to take you to the house," Jorge said carefully, he signalled for them to follow him knowing that they were in luck right now that no one was home. 

Catalina was off celebrating with Cristiano and had no idea about the woman and child that were being moved into her home; Jorge could only imagine how badly this would end when Catalina found out. 

Taking a deep breath, Camelia looked down at Junior and offered him a small smile before they started to follow Jorge; she was tired and she hoped that they wouldn't face any trouble today. 

The three headed towards the carriage that was waiting to transport them to Cristiano's beach-side home, it was a bit of a trip away from the port but Jorge knew that they would still make it back before Cristiano and Catalina would.

***

"I have missed you so much," Catalina gushed stepping forward and kissing her husband of two years, she couldn't believe that he had been gone for nearly two months; she was just happy that he had come home to her. 

Cristiano smiled pulling away from Catalina, he wasn't going to share the news that he had taken a mistress just yet; he was sure she'd take the news better when she was drunk. 

Linking arms with Catalina, Cristiano nodded to the people around him all had come to celebrate in his win; he couldn't have been happier that he had done his people proud. 

Catalina smiled enjoying the fact that everyone knew who her husband was, she couldn't believe that she had gotten so lucky to have a man like him; she was thankful every day that her father had convinced Cristiano to marry her. 

Of course it wasn't like she was his first choice in wife, Catalina was very aware that there was only one woman that her husband had ever loved; she was just sure that Camelia was rotting to death somewhere far, far away.

There was no way that anyone was ever going to get in the way of their marriage and Catalina was sure that it wouldn't be long before she gave Cristiano a son. 

It hadn't helped in the past two years that Cristiano was always away fighting some war but now that he was able to relax; Catalina was determined to make sure that it stayed that was. 

"It's wonderful to have you back Cris," Hugo greeted smiling as he approached his younger brother, he nodded at Catalina knowing that Cristiano couldn't have married anyone better. 

Catalina smiled watching the two brothers talk, a sense of pride filling her knowing that things were going to plan out just perfect for her in the next couple of months.

r