The Royal Romance - The Valtoria Diaries

I'll always be in your corner

"Well, that's how I see it anyway." Drake was giving Rashad some advice about how to use his surplus land to benefit the public. "That way, there's usable space for all types of people, not just the kids and the dog walkers."

"I hadn't even considered that aspect. You make a very good point."

Hana wandered over in their direction, and Drake beckoned her to join them. As good as it had been to be useful in this situation, he was getting a little tired of the conversation.

"Hello, Duke Rashad. Hello, my fellow Guardian of the Realm." She curtsied to them both.

"A remarkable ceremony, and very well deserved both of you," Rashad said. "Your bravery a few months ago is definitely to be commended. I understand the two of you snuck into enemy territory together?"

"We were only doing what we thought was best to help our friends," Hana sighed. "We weren't being watched, not like Rick and his guards were. We had to help Jen and Maxwell. And Olivia, of course."

"I am not so sure I would have been so brave in your position," Rashad said.

Drake looked at Hana, and she smiled at Rashad. "We're all very close. Their lives were at risk, and we'd gladly risk ours to help them."

"A noble attitude," Rashad said. "I meant to catch you, Lady Hana, to say thank you for your help in making that connection with the Portera Group. It's been more lucrative than I'd even hoped."

"It was nothing," Hana said. "I'm very glad I could help."

"I was talking to your father a little earlier too. I have to say that our business relationship is working well, despite my initial concerns. So, it was a win win for all concerned."

"Definitely," said Hana with a smile.

Drake was trying not to indicate how bored he was, but seemingly he'd not been trying enough, as Rashad looked at his watch. "I must go, leave you two to what is probably important Royal Council business. Thank you both."

Hana smiled at Drake knowingly as Rashad walked away.

"Christ, I thought he'd never go."

Hana giggled. "You did look a little trapped in a corner. So." She toyed with her plaited hair; she always looked at her most attractive when her hair was up like that. "How does it feel to be a Guardian of the Realm?"

"No different than when I woke up this morning."

"Come on. I know you better than that. Your dad would've been so proud, you know."

"Uh, I guess. Bastien just told me, apparently my dad was a Guardian of the Realm too."

"Wow. I wonder why Jackson never told you?"

"He didn't like to blow his own trumpet."

"A little like someone else I know." She giggled, in that innocent way she had about her that he just adored. "Talking of parents, Jen and I just had a little chat with mine."

"Friendly or unfriendly?" He raised an eyebrow.

"Somewhere inbetween. My mother was demanding I play piano for Godfrey and Adelaide."

"Ugh. Not a fun prospect."

"I told her I don't play for just anyone." She looked into the distance. "I mean, I played for Jen. And.. I would play for you." She blushed. "And, Rick and Maxwell, obviously."

"Thanks for clarifying that," he said with a smirk. "I'd love to hear you play. Don't forget, you invited me over while Jen and Maxwell are away. Maybe you can play for me then."

"I didn't have you down as a classical music enthusiast, Drake."

"Hey, I have hidden depths. So? When were you thinking?"

Her face lit up. "Really? I mean, how does next Saturday work for you?"

He scratched his head. "If it doesn't bother you it being Valentine's Day and all..."

"Oh... I see... I'm sorry. I couldn't ask you to come then. Perhaps some other time..."

"I'm kidding, Hana. I haven't got any plans. And it would be nice to spend some time with you at Valtoria. Assuming you're free, of course..."

"Of course." She smiled at him for a moment, but then her face fell again. "I suppose, if things had gone differently, I could have been spending Valentine's Day with Rick this year."

"Know what? I'm glad things didn't go that way," he said.

"Me too." She sighed. "Although, I wonder what my parents would have said if they'd known I'd turned down that opportunity."

He frowned, feeling like he just wanted to take her away from all that. "It's none of their business."

"I still feel that I've let them down. If my mother knew..."

"You're better than all that, you know Hana. Don't let your mother have that power over you anymore. If she doesn't like this new, brave Hana, it's her loss. Can you honestly say you'd have been happy if you'd gone along with Rick's little idea just to impress your mother?"

She bit her lip. "No. After tonight's announcement, I feel confident that I can make a contribution to Cordonia in other ways, like I do already in Valtoria, and that's given me some identity I guess. But emotionally – I don't know where to be. I know you guys are all in my corner, though."

"I'll always be in your corner, Hana. Don't let anyone give you any crap. They'll have me to answer to."

"What are friends for, hey?" she asked him.

He looked at her; she back at him, her dark eyes shining with silent promise. An electric charge seemed to ignite between them, as he inched oh-so-slightly closer to her.

Suddenly they were both knocked out of the moment by a blue blur.

"There you two are!!"

Drake could have merrily swung for Maxwell at that moment, as he launched into the pair of them, a hand on each of their shoulders. "Come on! I have an announcement to make in the hallway!" He was gone as quickly as he'd appeared.

He rolled his eyes. "Give me strength..."

Hana giggled. "We'd better go and see what he wants."

"Mmhmm," he sighed in defeat. "We better had."