Princess - A Love Story

Chapter 10

"Michael and Elena will be back shortly," Emily's grandmother said settling down on the sofa across her. "Oh I cant tell you my dear, how good it is to finally be able to be your grandmother."

Oddly, Emily understood. Her Aunt Elena did not have children and her other Aunt, Stacia had argued and left home years before her father. They didn't know where she was.

"You must believe you are part of a very strange family." The words were light but her grandmother's voice was laden with sadness.

"My mother used to say, family is more than blood. That affection, more than a blood connection is important to have good relationships."

"I wish I could have met her. After Christopher broke ties with us, I was so desperate for news I called her. She was so kind. Your father probably never knew, but I called her often after that, I wanted so badly to be part of your lives. Occasionally she would send pictures to Elena's house. Wait," she said standing up, "I have one around here." She sat down next to Emily and showed her a picture of her when was about four, probably five, grinning gap toothed and clinging to her mother.

"I remember this," Emily said even as her eyes started to water. "Mama woke me up that morning and declared it a holiday just because beautiful days shouldn't be wasted indoors."

"I am so sorry my dear," Emily's grandmother teared up as well.

"Mama, she's barely arrived and you're making her cry already," Uncle Michael stood at the door. Aunty Elena appeared behind him looking concerned. "Oh she's just indulging an old lady, nothing to worry about." They relaxed and came forward to greet Emily. Determinedly Elena turned the topic to cheerier things and Emily followed her lead. Soon she had them laughing hysterically, telling stories about life in Bangkok. They moved to the lunch table and continued their conversation. Finally, Michael put down his fork, laughing. "Lord child! You have an ability to talk that puts the Parliament to shame." Emily wrinkled her nose in mild embarrassment.

"Don't tell Philip that. He tells me I talk nonstop and after talking to me he needs the rest of the day to recover his own thoughts."

"I hope you will choose to join parliament then. I would love to have you on my side. You'd just tire everyone with your talking."

Emily's laughing retort was cut off by her grandmother's hand on her arm. "Are they kind to you?"

"Who?"

"The Kristakis'." Her grandmother's eyes looked so sad and worried

Immediately Emily jumped to defend them, "Of course, they have been so kind. Grandmamma, I mean Philip's grandmother, insists we have tea every evening and talks about all sorts of things. Personally, I think she's trying to teach me to be more Princess-y and has decided the only way to do it is to wear me down bit by bit." Emily grinned naughtily at her irreverent assessment.

"And His Highness" Elena asked.

"His Highness," Emily laughed, "is an old, old man in a young man's body."

Michael felt compelled to defend his future monarch, "He's got a lot of responsibilities you know. And because he's so young he needs to work doubly hard to prove himself."

Emily smile died away. "I know. He pushes himself very hard mostly because he demands more of himself that any of you can. And speaking of proving himself, aren't you his foremost critic at the moment."

Lord Stakis looked taken aback, "You know about that." Emily nodded and gave a brief discretion of what they were trying to do, without giving way any details. "It is a sound plan. It needs to be given a chance with an eye to the future," she declared.