King Emeritus Elias II sat at a table with his wife Duchess Caterina Troiani. The couple observed the guests as they moved about the large room.
“Look at the two of them. They are a beautiful couple.” Caterina said.
“That they are,” Elias sighed. “That they are. He does his job well, and Helena has always been good at supporting him.”
“And they look so in love.”
“Yes, they do. I just hope he doesn’t lose himself, that he hasn’t lost himself. Being king will do that. Watcher knows, I know. So many things I did that I regret doing, and words I said, that I can never take back.”
“Love, you can’t live in the past. We only have now.” Caterina said. “I know, I know…”
“Excuse me, you’re highness, Duchess can we get a photo for the public?”
“Absolutely not. I have retired. I am here, not as King Emeritus, but as a father celebrating his son. Please respect our privacy.”
“Sorry, sir.”
“You didn’t have to be so harsh, Richard.”
“One thing that I did not do well was to protect my relationship with Andrea from the public. She did a phenomenal job of protecting our kids, but I let her down on so many occasions. I’m not going to make the same mistakes Cat. You are my love, my partner, my friend, and my wife, and the public is not entitled to know anything more than your name.”
“I appreciate that, but do you really want to gain a reputation of the cranky old King that was, hmm?” Caterina asked.
“God it’s sickening how in love Uncle Tony and Auntie H. Look.” Ella plopped down in a chair at her grandparents’ table.
“I take it you aren’t enjoying the evening?” Elias said.
“I’d enjoy it more if I could get a drink. This party is only a show. Uncle Tony’s real friends aren’t even here! Just some social climbing, power hungry …”
“Ella please!” Caterina interrupted her granddaughter.
“Pop-Pop, you know what I mean. Mom and dad didn’t even come, and yet here I am.”
“You are here because you’re spending the summer with us. You know your parents had to work.” Caterina explained. “We all know that’s just an excuse…Oh look, here comes the royal couple now.”
“What happened to your centerpiece?” Helena asked.
“The damn thing was blocking my view so I had it removed.” Elias replied.
“Oh, well are you having a good time?” Helena asked.
“I’d have more fun if…”
“Ella, no one here is going to serve a minor alcohol.” Anthony said.
“Uncle Tony…what about …”
“Ella, zip-it if you still want to hang out at the royal residence from time to time.” Anthony warned.
“No, Ella please, tell me what my son allows at his residence…”
“Nothing Pop-pop, Nothing.”
Caterina turned to Helena who had sat down during the earlier exchange. “Everything is lovely dear.”
“Thank-you. It was a lot of work, but everyone brought everything together nicely.”