Page 78 of Royal Pain
“Afternoon, Mother.” She rises and comes to us.
“Afternoon, Your Majesty,” I say, accepting the cheek kiss offered.
“My dear, I think you can call me mama now. You’re to be my daughter-in-law. That’s what Princess Mofia has called me for years. Congratulations by the way!”
“Thank you…mama,” I say, having trouble containing a chuckle.
“Sit. Let’s hear what you have to tell me.”
Damn. This is it.
We take our seats on the loveseat across from the queen’s favorite chair. Her eyes are locked on Zan.
“Mother, we’ve each given this honor a lot of thought. Belinda has weighed the issues, and so have I. This is a mutual decision. I’m afraid I wouldn’t be the right man. My contribution to Mozia will have to be as prince. It’s not my destiny to be king. That’s the truth of it. But it’s been the honor of my life to have been considered. My gratitude runs deep.”
She doesn’t say a word at first. It’s as if she’s absorbing something she didn’t expect to ever hear. Then her eyes turn to me.
“Are you certain, Belinda?”
Shit. He just said it wasbothour decisions. She’s a very smart woman.
“Yes, Mama. It’s a fish-out-of-water story. It’s foreign to me here. Literally and figuratively. I do love it, that I won’t deny. But loving the country and being able to devote my life to it are two different things. The worst thing about it is that part of me thinks I’d be great at it. But I’m not sure right now, and this is the timeframe we’re in. The enormity of the decision doesn’t escape me. I feel like I don’t know where to find air.”
A barely there smile lifts one corner of her mouth.
“Understood, dear. Just for the record, I think you’d be brilliant at it. But I respect your decision.”
She looks at Zan. “And yours, too son. Here’s what will happen. I’ll assume the throne with you in an advisory role. We will include Kwai as well. The people will be informed I’m carrying the reins for Nubia who will assume his duties when he comes of age. I think it’s the best option we have.”
“I think so too, Mother. I’m sorry this is a disappointment to you.”
“You could never disappoint, Zan. And no king should be forced to serve. The people would suffer.”
“Thank you, Mother. I’d never look at the honor that way. Forced isn’t a word that would ever apply to me. I think you know that. But I’m glad you’re rethinking your own place in the story. Our people love you. And beyond that they trust you.”
The gentle smile and the tilt of her head tells me she knows Zan speaks the truth.
“Tell me, Belinda, when are you returning home? And more importantly, when are you coming back?”
“Within a week, Mama. I’ll be back as soon as I can settle a few things I have to take care of in New York.”
“Lovely, dear. We will all be waiting for you. It’s not just my son who pines for your company. We are all a little less sad when you are among us.”
“What a beautiful thing to say, Mama. Really, I’m touched.”
It almost brings tears to my eyes. But a funny thing happened. When she said ‘home’, it didn’t sit well with me. And in that moment I realized how little I’ve thought of the city, or my apartment or even my job. Only my family and friends tether me to that particular ground. And now I have ties that stretch across the ocean. Is Mozia becoming home?
