Page 47 of Duty and Desire

Chapter Forty-Two

Gio

E very seat was filled, until there was standing room only. The sound of horns echoed around the throne room as Nick walked toward the bishop who would perform the ceremony. Nick’s suit was hidden beneath a black velvet cloak trimmed with white fur, fastened at the chest by an ornate golden clasp.

The same cloak his father had worn in the portrait.

I walked behind him, matching his pace, my head held high.

Before us on the dais, the crown sat on a purple cushion, and it wasn’t some heavy, clunky thing. It was made of silver, delicate arches set atop a circlet of burnished metal.

The Prime Minister and the visiting dignitaries occupied the front four rows, but I spied Claudia and Franz sitting together behind them.

They’d celebrated their engagement the day after our wedding, claiming they would have delayed it until after the coronation, but that Franz had a ring that was burning a hole in his pocket, and he couldn’t wait any longer to put it on Claudia’s finger.

Franz’s world was about to change. He would have a new role, that of Personal Assistant to the King and the Prince Consort.

That part still hadn’t sunk in. Gio Colonna, from North Beach, San Francisco—a Prince Consort.

My family sat alongside Claudia and Franz. Princess Gabriele was also there, but the most surprising guest had to be Karoline.

I wonder if she looks at me and thinks I stole her rightful place?

I dismissed the thought. Nick had said she hadn’t seemed bothered not to be Queen. She didn’t appear resentful or bitter, to be truthful.

And she did show up, after all.

One glance at the row upon row of subjects gathered to watch the coronation told the story of the changes Nick had already brought about.

There were rainbow banners with the words A King for All in gold letters, and my throat seized at the sight.

People from all walks of life had shown up to support him, and I knew from reading posts on social media that it wasn’t simply because of his sexuality, but the hope he represented for the future.

One of Nick’s first acts as king had been to initiate dialog about LGBTQ+ rights.

I’d been correct: there were still factions within the population—and the government—who resisted such change, but the momentum was undeniable.

I cast my mind back to the night of the ball. I’d felt such an outsider, yet in the time since then, everything had changed. Wherever we went, people greeted us warmly, and in the palace I was offered the same level of courtesy extended to Nick.

The horns sounded once more as Nick knelt on a footstool in front of the bishop. I took up my position at Nick’s side, listening as the bishop called on him to make vows to serve his country, and Nick replied, his clear voice ringing out for everyone to hear.

Then came the moment for the crown to be placed upon his head.

I held my breath as the bishop lowered the beautiful symbol into position. Nick’s gaze flickered in my direction, and I smiled. I love you, Your Majesty , I mouthed.

Doubtless anyone who could lip-read would have that little tidbit posted the minute the ceremony was over. I wasn’t ashamed for anyone in Eisenland to know it.

Nick rose and turned to greet his subjects, and the air filled with the sound of cheering that managed to drown out the horns. Nick held out his hand, and I took it, and we stood side by side, wave upon wave of applause washing over us.

Then Nick brought my hand to his lips and kissed it. Thank you , he mouthed.

I stared at him in confusion. I forgot protocol and whispered “What are you thanking me for?”

His eyes sparkled. “You’ve shown me something I didn’t believe was possible.”

“And what was that?”

Another gentle kiss to my fingertips. Then his eyes locked on mine.

“That as king I would know duty— and desire.”

The End