The lost queen

Try to show him who he really is

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The Throne room was full of people, some dancing, some sitting, and some eating and drinking. Nicolas sat on his throne while I stood beside him. In Austria, there is a rule that only the queen can sit next to the king, and no one else. I was thinking about who could be our guest. Mariella stood a few steps behind me. I smiled, but that smile was anything but sincere. The court priest approached me.

Priest: Are you really as happy as you look?

Me: Do I really have to answer that question?

Priest: You are doing a great job, but I heard people on the court talking that you do not like Austria. If this continues, your title of the queen will fade and you will forever remain only a foreign princess.

Me: I am aware of that. 

Priest: Good. 

He came even closer to whisper something to me.

Me: You are too close to the king's wife! Step away!

He just turned and left.

Representer: Your Highness, King Felipe VI, and Queen Letizia of Spain.

Nicolas: Bienvenido a nuestro hermoso país. Espero que hayas tenido un viaje degradable.
                 (Welcome to our beautiful country. I hope you had a pleasant trip.)

King Felipe VI: Thank you for such a nice welcome. My wife and I speak English so we can continue in English. But thank you for the effort.

Nicolas: Yes, that would be nice. This is my wife and future queen of Austria, Crowned Princess Sofia of Bulgaria.

I bowed down. 

King Felipe VI: It is our pleasure. Austria is very beautiful country. It is nice to go a little north.

Nicolas: Dinner is just around the corner, and until then let's make a toast to the good cooperation.

I have never seen the court so cheerful. They all danced to traditional music. I saw that Queen Letizia was alone, so I went to meet her.

Me: Hello, it is a pleasure to finally meet you. 

Queen Letizia: Hello, pleasure is mine. You look very young.

Me: Well, my marriage was arranged on the day of my birth. As soon as I turned 21, I married King Nicolas.

Queen Letizia: Are you happy with him? Do you like Austria, since you are from Bulgaria?

Me: I am getting used to this...

Queen Letizia: Faking a smile, or Austria?

Me: I do not know.

Queen Letizia: I think that answer is a little bit of both. I know that your title depends on your loyalty to Austria. If queen is happy, people are happy. I do not know how you feel, I married love of my life. I have one piece of advice for you. Since I have two girls, they need to marry to a foreign country, I would tell them to be honest, to people and to themselves. 

Me: Their titles are also going to depend on people?

Queen Letizia: No, Spain was already a monarchy, so they are going to be queens as soon as they marry. 

Me: I do not know if I can love him.

Queen Letizia: I heard stories about king Nicolas. He was a good and kind boy. And that little good and kind boy is still somewhere there. 

Me: I think that the only way to his heart is to give him a male successor. 

Queen Letizia: It is one way, to be honest. But, long and tiring way. Try to show him who he really is.

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Dinner was delicious, tastier than it was for the wedding. I was thinking about how to show him who he really was.

 I stood next to his throne while he talked to a friend. I noticed flirting with other women. I watched intently as he treated Lady Alva. He was close to her, too close. I saw him hold her by the waist. Suddenly my body was flooded with jealousy. I had to do something. But, of course, jealousy did its thing. I approached them with a quick step, and slapped Nicolas. I went out the door that led to a small library. I heard footsteps behind me and knew it was Nicolas and I was in trouble. He was standing in front of me, and I kept my eyes closed. I knew what was waiting for me. I felt a strong blow, his fist on my nose. As if that wasn't enough for me, he even pushed me into a corner and I fell.

Nicolas: NEVER EMBARASS ME AGAIN IN FRONT OF GUESTS, ESPECIALLY FOREIGNERS! DID YOU UNDERSTAND?!

He was furious, I've never seen him like that. I felt blood trickle down my lips. I cried there, in that dusty corner. Until Mariella came.

Mariella: Sofia! Are you okay?

Me: Yes, just take me to my room.

Mariella: Are you sure? You are bleeding?

Me: NOW!

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Sir George Berth (Nicolas' friend) - Jeremy Irvine

Lady Berth (Sir George's wife) - Eleanor Tomlinson

Lady Alva - Victoria Pedretti