Peace and quiet reigned when I opened my eyes. Turning my head, I took in the familiar gigantic room. The wood curved furniture filling the room reminded me of my current location. A hotel room in Masai Mara, Kenya. Recent events started trickling through my mind. Mine and Mario's romantic dinner, his confession, the phone call. My father was gone. The king was dead. I sunk deeper into the fluffy duvet. The warmth of the bedding engulfing me. Mixed emotions coursed through me, sadness, pain, and unadulterated fear.

I knew what came next. My face would be plastered over all news media. I wouldn't be able to go anywhere without a camera getting shoved in my face. My life would be under the microscope once more. So, at this moment all I wanted to do was enjoy the warmth. It certainly wouldn't last long. My father's funeral would take place in a fortnight. And according to Garland's traditions, there would be a three month mourning period. After which, the preparation for my coronation would kick off, the ceremony, to be held three months later. As I said, my life would be under serious scrutiny.

The door hinges squeaked alerting me of an income. I pulled the covers tighter, hoping to be left alone.

"... boun lavoro, ben fatto...(good job, well done) said Mario's voice in his native language. His footsteps came closer to the bed. " iniziare la fase successiva, arrivederci, addio" (commence next phase, see you soon. Bye.)

A dip on the bed and a tug at my covers got me to give up my hibernation. I turned to face him. "Hey."

"Hey, how are you feeling?"

"Been better. Who was that on the phone?" I sat up. Leaning on the majestic headboard.

"Oh, that. You speak Italian?" He eyed me his eyes darkening infinitesimally.

"A little, thanks to Gio and Anna, they have Italian roots...so you told your caller to continue with the next phase?"

A quick flash of panic crossed his chiseled countenance. It was quickly replaced by his signature smirk. "That was my cousin, he and I have been working on a certain project back home. The third phase is complete, and without a hitch...let me not bore you with the details. We have bigger problems at hand." He climbed further into bed and sat next to me.

"What's up? What's going on?"

He reached for the TV remote by the bedside desk and turned it on. The words "Garviland's golden couple" were written in bold letters at the bottom of the screen. Mine and Mario's pictures graced the screen. Our wedding pictures, individual photos, he and I at the airport on the day we arrived. There was even one of us laying on the ground, me laying on top of him, my lips a breath away from his. The moment after the licking incident! I turned to look at him, the confusion in my mind was clearly evident. He shook his head.

"How do they even have that photo?"

"We were in a group of tourists, most had cameras amore mio. (My love). Someone was bound to take a photo of us."

"I hate this!" I slid back under the covers. "I gather, my father's news is public knowledge now?"

He nodded. "Thanks to those photos, they also know our location. I spent all night looking for a way out, something better than hours of road travel. Finally, Nora found a way. Your friend, Halima is it? She called her friend Salim, he's picking us in an hour."

"Oh wow."

"Yeah, I just came from the hotel managers office, he charged me quite a fortune so that the chopper could land in the golf section of the hotel. There is a heard of paparazzi outside the gates. This way we can sneak away peacefully. The jet is bound to leave once we arrive at the airport.

He slid in beside me. "You okay?"

"I just want to stay here, the moment we leave that door, everything changes. I will no longer be Princess Diamonique, the one who spends most of her time learning how to take over the crown someday. I am now the Queen regnant and I'm suddenly expected to practice what I learned!" I shuddered at the thought. Pulling the covers over my head, I let the lingering tears soak into the silk.

"Princess... Mia Principessa," a gentle tug at my shielding sheet exposed my embarrassing meltdown. "I am here, you can lean on me whenever things get too tough. I swore to love you for better or worse. I meant every word." A bicep sneaked its way under my neck and before I knew it I was being lifted, my head was gently placed on his chest. His cologne filling my nostrils. A kiss on my forehead had me shifting to face him. "You are safe il mio amore (my love)." A feathery kiss against my lips sent shivers down my spine. My immediate instinct to pull away proved futile when he, instead of intensifying the kiss, wrapped his arms around me then buried his face in my hair. "Can I order us some breakfast?" He asked.

*********

I sat on a love seat next to Mario in my mothers' private lounge. Sitting in various lounge chairs were my aunt and uncle, the Duke and Duchess of Kayodale, my cousins Giovanni and Anna, the Marquess and Marchioness of Kayodale. On a leather recliner, sat my mother, Annalise Montreal the now Dowager Queen.

This was my mothers' favorite room and she spared no expense at decorating it. Different kinds of vases filled with beautiful flowers were spread all over the room. Majestic chandeliers dangled from the ceiling. Golden colored drapes lined the glass walls, some were pulled aside, revealing a breathtaking view of the vast blue ocean.

Cecilia my mothers assistant, pushed open the brown mahogany double doors. She curtseyed deeply then swiftly made her way to mother whose head was bowed. Her assumed posture since my fathers demise two days ago. She hardly said a word to anyone and chose to mourn alone. My heart broke for her, a squeeze on my palm reminded me of my new found safe haven, Mario. He had proven invaluable since the news broke out. Tackling naysayers every which way. He made me feel safe. I looked up from our intertwined hands and met his quizzical gaze. I gave a slight reassuring nod and refocussed on Cecilia who was now whispering something to my mother. After getting a slight nod, she hurried back to the door and ushered in the visitor. "Your Highness, announcing Mr. Jacob Worthington, the family lawyer." She showed him to a vacant seat, then with a deep curtsey, exited the room.

"Good morning, Mr. Worthington. I believe you are well acquainted with everyone in the room." Mother said, "so let's just proceed."

"Good morning your majesties. I requested this meeting so soon after the King's passing because he placed special requests." Jacob opened his briefcase and pulled out a folder. "I have his will here." He pulled out a bunch of stapled leaflets and after clearing his throat, he started;

"The fact that you are reading this right now means I'm no longer with you and for that, I am terribly sorry. To my beloved wife, I am by far the luckiest man on the planet to have had you as mine. You were a rock, companion, partner, everything I ever wished for in a wife, I got that and more. Thank you.

To our lovely daughter and my heir, you're ready to tackle whatever this job throws your way. I leave my estate and apart from the few things I will mention later, I leave everything else to you. You are to make sure your mother is well cared for. She can live wherever she desires until the end of her days.

To my brother Michael and his wife, you have been an ally and a wealth of knowledge since I can remember. I implore you to continue the same with my daughter, she needs at least one friend on the council.

To my nephew and niece, whatever paths you choose in life, I wish you all the best. To you Giovanni, I leave my yacht, I know how much you love that thing, and to you Anna, I leave my collection of books, and a sum of money to finance your unidentified dream.

To the man who manages to win over my daughter's heart, take care of her. I leave her the privilege of deciding whether you are worth the title Prince or not. This decision shall only be made after your first year of marriage. Till we meet again my loved ones. Addio!"

Jacob looked around the silent room before continuing. "That will was written a couple of years ago but he then came and added a few details last month. "I have no interest in holding you hostage for the next couple of months. So I want to be cremated. This is to take place a week after I pass on. After which you can only hold a two week mourning period instead of the three months. My daughter's coronation is to take place a month after the mourning period. The longer you wait, the more time you give the circling vultures to cause trouble."

George then pulled out a sealed envelope and handed it to me. "That is for your eyes only your Highness." He said earning quizzical looks from around the room, he then handed my mother and I a copy of the signed will. "That is all your majesties...if we are all on the same page, I wish to be excused."

"You are excused," said mother.

*********************************

The guy above is my idea of Mario!

Love,

June.