She Will Go Down in History

Chapter 46: Don't Let Them Break You

Our tour was only over a span of 14 days, the next place we had to hit was Jordan.

We meet the Jordanian Royal family but it was all the same meeting the leaders, talking about social issues which 9/10 of time I just nodded and zoned out of. Speeches, meetings and more meetings.

Abdullah II of Jordan, the King of Jordan, invited us to stay in one of their palaces which was an incredible honor. I don't care how much of a "princess" people say I am. I grew up with nothing compared to what I have now. For someone to offer me to stay at their palace will always bewilder me.

Later that night King Abdullah II's eldest children, Hussein, Crown Prince of Jordan and Princess Iman, took us out of the town to sight-see. Prince Hussein and Princess Iman were around our age. Alexander and they were actually close friends.

"I can't believe your getting married," Prince Hussein said "Who is going be my club buddy now? No offense Zara"

"None taken," I said

"We used to take my dads private jet and just go everywhere. We would go to the clubs in Milan, Los Angeles, Ibiza, and Miami. We had a blast getting drunk and picking up girls-" Prince Hussien stopped himself

I looked at Alexander who avoided looking at me "Please Hussien tell me more about Alexanders scandalous rendezvous" I said playfully

"Well I think the smoothies are ready," Prince Hussien said as he stood up and quickly walked over to the bar

"So did guys start planning the wedding yet?" Princess Iman asked excitedly

"Yes, we actually started looking at venues even though we're limited to like 1 and that's Westminster Abbey," I said

"Well that makes it easier doesn't it"

"I guess so, we don't really have much of a choice," Alexander said as Prince Hussien brought us back smoothies

"Now that I think about it we really don't have much autonomy," I said

"Well, you know these weddings dates back centuries, babe. It has to be done in a precise way to follow tradition"

The wedding plans were weighing a little heavy on me mainly because we didn't have a say in a lot of the things that were going to happen and thats not what I pictured my wedding to be like.

"Yeah..." I said as I drifted

****

Our last leg of the tour ended in Italy/Vatican City

We meet with the Pope which was a huge honor. We posed for pictures and shook more hands

We actually only had one meeting. The next day we went to go see Alexanders mother formally known as Queen Jane.

We arrived at a big mansion. I was kind of nervous. I mean this woman was the most popular person in the world at one point. She broke a lot of barriers in the royal family but most importantly she's Alexanders mother.

After her accident, she was paralyzed from the waist down so she wanted to be away from the spotlight and remained that way for 4 years.

When we walked in she was sitting in her wheelchair, dressed in a lovely white gown

"Ma'am, his royal highness-" the woman started then Alexander walked over to his mother, got on his knees and hugged her, a long one I could feel the love.

"I missed you so much, my love," she said as she caressed his face.

"I've missed you too," Alexander said as he stood up and held her hand

"Is this Zara?" she asked excitedly

"Yes-" I said as she engulfed me in a big hug.

"Nice to meet you, ma'am," I said I curtsied

"No please don't do that, call me, Jane." she said as she held my hand "She's so beautiful!"

We sat down and had dinner with her. She reminded me a lot of my mom. She was goofy and fun but also had those maternal instincts. I was entertained the whole dinner she told all the embarrassing stories of Alexander when he was younger. Luckily we were staying the night.

I really thought Alexander acted more like his father but he and his mother were two peas in a pod.

It's hard to think that this amiable woman once tried to end her life multiple times.

****

The next morning, I woke up extremely early, my body doesn't even have a circadian rhythm anymore. Alexander was still sleeping, so I crept downstairs and saw chefs in the kitchen, it smelled so good.

"Hello Zara," Jane said

"You knew it was me?" I asked. I didn't think anyone heard me coming down the stairs.

"You have quiet footsteps Alex practically stomps," she said and I laughed "You're up early we just started with breakfast," she said

"Yeah, it's the jet lag, I think"

"Yes I remember those days, I hated touring literally it was the worst," she said and I chuckled

We went into the backyard and entered the most beautiful garden "How is everything?" She asked

"Um... I'm still trying to get used to it"

"It must be a lot for you"

"Yeah but Alexander's with me"

"Thats very good. Make sure it stays that way" she said sternly but with a smile

I nodded then she looked at me hesitantly

"I know you're going to marrying my son soon and I won't be attending the wedding, for various reasons... so good luck you're going to need it. This life is extremely difficult when are not born into it but the way Alex talks about you, I've never heard him talk about anyone before but I just...I just wanted to tell you... do not let them break you...You are different and unique and they won't like that, they will say nasty things about you, they will fight against you and I want you to fight back because I believe in you. I've seen how you dealt with the press and I'm amazed at how poised and graceful you carry yourself. I thought to myself Alex's definitely got himself a queen " she said as tears flooded her lower eyelids "just promise me you won't let them break you like they did me"

"I promise" I whispered and she smiled weakly

"Hey, I've been looking for you two," Alexander said

"We're just talking," Jane said wiping her face

"About what?" Alexander asked looking between us

"About the garden," she said and I smiled and nodded

"Well I think breakfast is ready," Alexander said

"Ok well, Let's eat," Jane said