The King | Maxon Schreave

Chapter Eight

I look up at the issue of the Illéa Times in which I immersed myself as soon as the engines started, to contemplate the sleeping silhouette of my fiancée, rolled up in a ball in her seat. She seems particularly at ease, for someone who has only taken the plane a few times in her life, and I cannot help but envy her. I must always exhort myself to be calm when it comes time for take-off and landing, despite the countless flights I have been able to make in my youth.

It has been two days since the funeral, and the flowers and presents are piling up at the gates of the palace, and always a great many people gather along the great avenue that leads to the palace, as if for a last homage. Yesterday we spent the day in the company of the Italian royal family since Daphne and her parents flew back to France directly after the ceremony; if we were able to exchange a few words, there is no doubt that she still holds a grudge against me. I just hope that she will be mature enough to put our disagreements aside when we have to deal with each other in the interests of our two countries.

"Are we almost there yet?" America suddenly asks as she emerges from her sleep.

"Within half an hour, Miss," replied one of the bodyguards sitting next to us.

Of course, moving outside the palace walls in this climate of tension is risky, and our safety is taken extremely seriously; I intend to hire people to look after the personal safety of each member of the family, even though I know in advance that America will not be able to bear it. I let out a small sneer as I recall how fiercely she opposed the presence of a guard at her door since this little rebel categorically refused to allow her servants to stay in her room during the night. But there is no way I am responsible once again for putting her in danger. 

"We should prepare ourselves," I said as I folded up the newspaper. "Miss Singer?"  I said, standing up and extending my hand to her.

She smiles at me and graciously accepts it, following me to the back of the room, where I open a door which leads to a light wood-panelled room with an adjoining bathroom.

"I didn't know the plane had a cabin," she says in surprise as she moves towards the window to pull the blind and take a look at the immense cloud cover that stretches as far as the eye can see.

"We have to be able to rest on long journeys," I replied, hugging her by the waist.

"Rest, really?" she scoffed.

"Or, in today's case, to prepare in peace," I said, feigning ignorance.

Turning around, she raised her eyebrows with an equivocal air and then brought her head closer to mine to kiss me gently. Taking her hand in mine, I make her ring play with the light, an indescribable emotion filling me as every time I see her wearing it; this ring means that she has accepted to be mine, that she will never leave me again. And it is the most beautiful symbol in my eyes.

"I can't realize that this is going to be my life from now on," she sighs, pointing to the room with a gesture. "All this luxury is almost..."

"But you will have to get used to it, dear. Think of it as compensation for the sacrifices that your new role implies."

A furtive shadow passes over her face, and I kiss her fingertips as she smiles at me, before moving towards one of the suitcases from which she takes out a new mourning dress. A lively emotion is painted on her features as she caresses the satin fabric with her fingertips, then after one last look, she locks herself in the bathroom to get ready. With a sigh, I smooth the sides of my suit jacket, then return to my seat to wait for the landing.

I can't help but be surprised by the crowd waiting for us at the airport exit, massed against makeshift barriers; although I have expressed myself about gathering in public places, dangerous in these times, the population seems to ignore them, all to the joy of seeing their new princess by my side. America smiles graciously at them, greeting them with her hand, and I try to do the same while being pressed by our bodyguards who make sure we get to safety in the car as quickly as possible. These outpourings of joy make me happy, despite the threat hanging over us, and a smile stretches my lips until we reach our destination.