I'll be Home [On Going]

Chapter 5

Chambord Palace - Chambord, France

"Bonsoir, Votre Altesse Royale. (Good evening, Your Royal Highness.)" Charlotte, the butler said after bobbing into a curtsy when she entered the Duchess of Chambord's room. Charlotte saw her in front of the mirror getting ready for the supper, with Her Majesty.

"Oui Charlotte? Est-ce que tout est prêt? (Yes Charlotte? Is everything ready?)" the Princess asked with a smile. Her voice is undeniably relax and sweet as her face. She was wearing an Emilia Wickstead dress in forest green shade with her hair gorgeously half-tied, featuring voluminous curls and silver hair accessory in its center.

"Le repas est prêt alors Sa Majesté La Reine. (The supper is ready and so Her Majesty The Queen.)" Charlotte answered politely. The Princess gave her a nod as she stood up and made her way out with Charlotte tailing her.

"Bonsoir Votre Majesté. (Good evening Your Majesty.)" the Princess greeted the Queen as she slightly bowed before taking the seat that her butler moved for her. Queen Victoria smiled and stared at her daughter for a moment, "Mother for you my princess." and she instructed.

"And it's Lea for you mother." the Princess, Lea said back and they laughed in unison. Charlotte was about to place the table napkin she's holding on Lea's lap when the latter stopped her,
"Oh, je peux gérer, merci beaucoup Charlotte. (Oh, I can manage, thank you Charlotte.)" Lea said before Charlotte can fully place the table napkin.

Her Majesty The Queen, Victoria looked lovingly at her daughter "I really am so blessed to have you back my love." she said and took Lea's hand and caressed it. Lea smiled and turned her gaze to her son - Gabriel who is just silently watching them. Gabriel is now a 12-year-old boy. He visits the palace when his and his mother, Lea's schedule permits since he also has a life in Quito City whereas Lea has in Chambord. The three, while having their dinner, have talked about how Gabriel is doing in his school, how Lea is coping up with the duties the Queen handed her though not the heavy ones. Lea is actually the one who asked for it since she believed it is crucial on her part as a potential pretender of the throne.

They seldom see each other due to their busy schedule, and when they do, they make the most out it. Lea and her son always join her mother in horseback riding, yes at the Queen's age, she's still wild with horses. They also play word games during her leisure time, mostly in the evening when most of the people of Chambord are in their deep slumber.

Lea lived in Quito City, Ecuador with her grandfather Francisco and son, Gabriel on their first year of being united as a family. Soon after, Victoria decided to bring them with her in Chambord, France since she reckon her daughter will be much taken care of when she's on her side. She introduced her daughter, Princess Lea as the Duchess of Chambord. The people of chambord were in so much delight as they celebrated her comeback. They witnessed all what this family had been through and what Princess Lea had endured during her early years in Chambord. Her story has always been a fairytale to the people of Chambord. They all waited for this moment which they never thought would happen. Finally, the quaint portrait inside the palace's living room is done. Lea is now back in the picture with them. The jubilant the people showed with the royal family was incomparable when the Queen gathered all of them and made an announcement that the long lost daughter of Chambord is back.

~~

Queen Victoria is on her phone, calling one of her private investigators to get an update of what she has asked him to do. She's been waiting for this news since she discovered her Lea was alive.

"Good afternoon, Your Majesty The Queen, Victoria." the man on the line greeted her first as a sign of respect.

"What do you have now?" the Queen then asked, she is now having an earl grey tea on her silver pub table beside the window inside her room.