Princess - A Love Story

Chapter 9

'The little monkey was right after all', Philip admitted to himself looking into the mirror the morning of his mother's memorial service. Stavos had delivered this suit express for the occasion and Philip had to admit that he looked great. Walking to main hall he found Emily already there.

"Are you all right? I mean today is..."

"I'm all right. My mother was ill for a very long time before she died. Its better this way. She was in a lot of pain the last few years."

"You're much stronger than I am," she said quietly.

He didn't get to respond as the Queen entered. "Good Morning, my dears. Mr. Norris tells me the church is packed to the rafters."

"If only so many of them attended Parliament we would get our work done that much faster," Philip muttered.

The Queen fixed her gaze on Emily and said, "You do know they're all there to see you?" Emily paled a little bit. She put her hand on Emily's arm. "You are every bit worthy to be Princess my dear. Don't let anyone convince you otherwise."

To Philip, "They're all going to press for an introduction as soon as the service is done. Stay close."

Before she got into her vehicle she wordlessly put her hand against Philip's cheek in an unmistakable gesture of affection then quickly climbed into her car leaving Philip and Emily to do the same.

The cars stopped outside the church in a perfectly synchronized manner. Philip and Emily alighted first then then waited for the Queen exit. They made an impressive trio. All three dressed in black, the Queen, white haired, perfectly poised with Emily and Philip flanking her on either side. The pews on either side were packed with people. Following strict decorum nobody approached them before the service. The priest started a long sermon none of which made sense to Emily. Her father had her baptized but was content to let her mother raise her Buddhist. Later they made their way to a private room where they could pray on their own. Emily sat quietly while Philip and his grandmother finished their prayers. Then the Queen rose and said, "Are we ready my dears?" They nodded, both looking so earnest, the Queen's eyes shone with pride.

And then came the crush of people waiting to be introduced to Emily. Philip, true to his word, was with her throughout. Many families had brought their children, close in age to Philip and Emily, to be introduced. Many of them were Philip's peers from the Academy. While Philip held himself stiffly while interacting with them, Emily could tell some of them were genuinely fond of their Prince. She also noticed that Philip tended to hold himself at a distance. She particularly like the Pallis family. The twins, Irena and Anita, were a year younger than Emily and still adjusting to being included amongst the 'grown ups'. Their brother, a young man Philip's age had a ready laugh, teased Philip about his 'pretty Princess'. Philip glared at him, but Nicolas simply laughed and clapped Philip on the shoulder. Clearly in Nicolas' eyes they were friends even if Philip was a bit stiff around him. She was also introduced to Savina Glezos who was, in a word, stunning. She was tall, almost as tall as Philip, with Venus like curves so elegantly put on display that Emily couldn't help a pang of envy at her own small stature. She all but threw herself at Philip, artfully pressing her chest to his as she hugged him, drawing displeased glances her way. But she fluttered and claimed close friendship with 'dear Philip' and everyone seemed to forgive her. Even as Emily fought to contain her snort as Philip's face reddened face she felt a prick of irritation as her first instinct was to push the girl's arm off Philip's. Emily, she ignored completely.

Philip was deep in conversation with a member of parliament when Emily felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned to see three people. A tall man and a woman, and an impossibly small, bird like elderly woman. When they said nothing, the polite smile Emily had pasted on her face all morning, faltered. The tall lady spoke first. "You've taken after Mother's side of the family." She exhaled on a half laugh, "You're so little." The man seemed to remember himself and stepped forward. He took her hand and bowed over it. "My Lady, allow me to introduce us. I'm Lord Stakis. This is my wife Elena and her mother, the Honourable Lady Stylianou."