The Royal Romance - The Valtoria Diaries

Perfectly in tune

"I did miss you last week," Jen said to Hana as they wandered down the stairs. "I'm glad you're back. Especially with what you said about things being a bit weird. I guess it can be a bit odd when you put two people together without the rest of the gang being about."

"Not always," Hana pointed out. "Look at you and Maxwell. And I'd like to think that you and I can spend plenty of time together without it being awkward."

"True," Jen said. "Still, I'm sorry that you felt like that. It does make me curious as to what Rick was thinking."

"It's nice to be back in my own space," Hana acknowledged. "And it won't be long before I can trim it all up for Christmas."

"Oh. My. Goodness. You have to see this." Jen led Hana into a side room, which was filled with boxes and bags. "This is the Valtoria Christmas decorations collection. It was brought over from storage last week while you were away. And I've told them we're going to decide how to decorate the estate for Christmas this year!"

"My goodness..." Hana was amazed by the sheer amount of decorations around her. It was like a garden centre warehouse. "All these lights... and look at these beautiful baubles.."

"It just made me wonder though, how you decorate things for Christmas in Cordonia. Is it the same? Do you know?"

"I can't imagine it being that different, Jen. But, you happen to be married to a real life Cordonian, remember? I'm sure he can tell you what you need! Where is he today, anyway?"

"Ah, something about his top secret project.." Jen laughed. "At least I know exactly where he is this time. Holed away in his little mancave room upstairs."

"Do you think he's rehearsing for one of these dance competitions he's always going on about?" Hana suggested. She had a theory that Maxwell was writing a book, but she was well aware that whatever he was doing, he wanted to surprise them.

"Oh, do you have Dancing with the Stars here? Maybe he's going to be the next judge!"

Hana giggled. "No, unfortunately there isn't a Cordonian version. That would be his dream job, wouldn't it?"

"Yup. Maybe that's what he's planning!"

They both laughed a little longer, until Hana picked up a bauble from one of the boxes. "Well, I wouldn't think that the concept of trimming up Is that different here from anywhere else. Big trees with baubles, lots of lights... the outside will look so pretty if you have lights in the trees on the driveway coming up to the bridge.."

"Lights over the bridge too.."

"Aw, definitely.."

"And then a big tree in the hallway, and another one in the ballroom.. is mistletoe a thing here? Because we definitely need that."

"I think so. But I don't think you need any. I think your Christmas kisses are guaranteed."

"True, but I mean for everyone else. Is there anyone you might want to kiss under the mistletoe this year?"

Hana sighed. There was of course, but life wasn't that simple. "I'll be happy just to celebrate Christmas and New Year with my best friends in the world." She let her eyes wander around the rest of the room, until they settled on something. "Oh!"

"What?"

"Look..." She led Jen to the back of the room, where fabric enveloped a shape by the wall. "You know what, I think there might be a piano under here.."

"Ohmygosh!" Jen lifted some ornaments off the top sheet, and together they unveiled what was underneath, an upright piano in a walnut finish. "You were right!"

Hana looked at Jen in excitement.

"Go on, play something!"

"Oh.. I wonder... it could be in need of a tune.."

"I didn't even know it was here. But then, there's rooms in here I still haven't been in. Not that many." She blushed a little. "But.. some."

Hana pulled out a piano stool that had been placed underneath the keyboard, and sat gently on it. "Okay, I might be a little rusty."

She closed her eyes and concentrated, and let her fingers do the playing. She played a soft, romantic piece, and was delighted to hear that the notes sounded perfectly in tune.

Afterwards, she looked up at Jen. "Sounds good, actually."

"Oh Hana, you sound amazing. I knew you could play... but not like that."

"Can you remember the time I played for you in Lythikos?"

"No..."

Hana giggled. "You'd had a lot to drink.. so it figures! You even played along with me."

"Did I?"

"Yep. You didn't do bad for a new player who'd drunk two bottles of wine to herself."

Jen looked horrified. "That was.. that night?"

Hana looked curiously at her. "You did seem upset."

"I was. I'd just realised that I was more interested in Maxwell than Rick."

Hana laughed. "Oh, Jen. I know you had."

"You.. what? Did I tell you?"

"Not exactly," laughed Hana. "You were playing along with me, then you threw your face down on the keys, like this..." She demonstrated with a plonk. "And you just wailed. Whyyyyyy did I tell him, Hana? Whyyyy? I've ruined evvvvvvvverything.. He's gonna haaaate me now...."

Jen hid her head in her hands. "Oops.."

"I asked you who you were talking about, and what you'd done, but you wouldn't tell me. Just kept apologising. And, it didn't take a genius from that point to work out what you'd been referring to."

"Huh. We never spoke of it again, you know. Well, not until we were together."

"He probably thought you were having a joke with him."

"I pretended I couldn't remember saying it."

"Oh, you sly thing."

"Yeah. The next morning when he asked me if I could remember what had happened when we were dancing, I said I couldn't remember a thing. Afterwards, when we spoke about it, he said he was so relieved when I said that because he had no idea what he was going to do!"

They laughed together a little longer, leaning on each other as they giggled.

Hana sat back up. "We should play together again. Do you want a go? And this time you could try not to have an emotional breakdown halfway through?"

"I'll do my very best, Hana," she saluted.

Hana began to play a tune, and gently pointed to the notes she wanted Jen to play each time she paused. Jen played them obediently, and together, they actually sounded pretty good.

Afterwards, Jen jumped up and clapped her hands. "I know! We should move this piano to your cottage!"

"Really?"

"Yes! We've got a grand piano in the ballroom, we don't need two! It's not like I can play, and.. well.. Maxwell says he can, but I think I'd much rather encourage him to concentrate on his guitar playing..."

"Maxwell plays guitar?" This was news to Hana.

"Ohhhh, yeah." Although Jen was standing next to her, she was elsewhere. "Like a sexy naked rock god."

"I'm sure."

"Wait, I just said that out loud, didn't I?"

"You did," giggled Hana.

"Ohhhh..."

"Well, I'm sure your life is all the better for that prospect. But, really Jen, this is your piano.."

"Not anymore. I want you to have it. We'll get it moved right away. I'll get Christopher on the case."

Hana smiled. "If you're sure, Jen. And, thank you. I don't deserve any of this." She stood up.

Jen hugged her. "You deserve it all and more, Hana."