The Royal Romance - The Valtoria Diaries

A pandora's box of possibilities

It was early in the evening, and Rick was pacing around his study at a loss. Madeleine's comments a few days ago had really got him thinking. Every time he'd seen Hana since, he'd seen her differently. And it wasn't that he was developing feelings for her. He was just assessing her suitability for the role she had originally come to Cordonia to fill; that of his Queen. And his assessment was somewhat positive. She was knowledgeable. She was attractive. They shared interests, friends, experiences. It would definitely be a move that her parents would approve of, and he was sure his own family would have similar views.

But what should his strategy be? Although Hana was worldly and assertive in many ways, he knew very little about her romantic history. He knew a little from things that Jen had mentioned in passing, and that Olivia had informed him about gladly to discredit her rival during the social season. She had been engaged to an English nobleman, but they had separated before marriage, although he knew not why. Would Hana be practical enough to enter into another engagement in formal, rather than romantic terms, or would her heart preclude this? He suspected he knew the answer, and so he would need to play the long game.

His suspicion was formed from his belief that Hana had also fallen for Jen over the course of the social season. He had never suspected the attraction was mutual; but he empathised with Hana. She was no doubt getting over it better than he was, she seemed to be doing fine. She and Drake were getting on rather well. He sighed. Hopefully he wasn't going to be treading on any toes by following this course of action.

And what of Olivia? There was no doubt that Olivia made his heart burn; they were like two halves of the same whole. But he was afraid that if placed together the fire would overwhelm them, that it would be too intense, that they would end up having the sort of relationship that his mother and father had. That relationship had not been a good thing for Cordonia. Cordonia needed stability. He needed stability. Jen would have brought him stability. But Jen was off the table, and Hana was the next best option. A refined, unspoiled, pure Queen.

He took a look at his appointments schedule, and left his study. He soon found Hana, sitting in the drawing room, sketching.

"What are you working on?"

"I'm surprised you can't tell yet," she pointed out.

"It's a portrait of.. someone..?" He squinted, looking more closely at the sketch.

"Yes. Maybe when I've got a little further with it, you'll work it out."

"I was hoping to catch you," he said. "I wondered if, while you're staying here, you'd like to help me out with some engagements?"

She looked a little like a rabbit in the headlights for a second, but then relaxed. "Of course. What did you have in mind?"

"Well, I'm expected to attend the capital's Christmas Fete at the weekend. I wondered if you wanted to accompany me."

"That would be lovely," she said. "Does it involve switching the capital's Christmas lights on?"

He laughed. "They tend to save that job for reality TV stars and singers. My role, as I understand it, is to meet the organisers, listen to the choir sing, and shake a few hands. I did attend on my father's behalf last year, so I know it's a pleasant event to attend."

"Oh well. In any case, I'd be honoured, Rick. Are you sure?"

"Of course. I wouldn't have asked otherwise. I will leave you to your drawing."