Page 84 of Royal Pain

A quiet rap on the bedroom door sounds. “It’s just me,” the queen calls.

“Come in, Your Majesty.” The door opens and she stands with an envelope and a small box in her hand. How lovely she looks in her butter yellow dress. There’s understated gold jewelry around her wrist and neck. But I know those are precious national treasures made over two centuries ago.

“You are a vision, Belinda. Zan is going to cry.”

“Thank you, Queen Ayana. I know I will when I see him.”

“I’ve already started!” my mother adds.

“Zan asked me to give these to you.”

She passes them to me and I smile at the thought of him thinking of this today. Opening the envelope, I remove the plain white folded notecard.

My love,

Today begins our life together, and what a beautiful journey it will be. Thank you for giving me all of yourself. I could not bear any less of you.

Z

“Give me a tissue, quick,” I say to Soraya.

She gets one and gently wipes my tears.

“Oh no!” the queen says.

“It’s alright. I’m just moved by his words.” I hold the note close, then hand it to my mother. “Save this for me, Mom.”

She returns it to the envelope and tucks it inside her clutch.

I open the little box to find the most beautiful ring inside. An emerald cut emerald stone sits in a gold setting. It reminds me of his eyes.

“Oh, Belinda!” Soraya says with a gasp.

* * *

I stand under an archway of lilies, on the path at the entry of the queen’s garden. Soraya just left my side and began her walk. The scent of blossoms fills the air. I wear no mixture of notes to compete with nature’s perfume. Africa and its unique beauty is present, as if a guest.

My arm is linked with my father’s and he’s looking in my eyes.

“Ready, honey?”

“Yes, Daddy.”

He smiles. I haven’t called him that since I was a child. But before he passes my protection to another man, I acknowledge the child will always be his.

We start down the path, and into the open space, where the guests come into view. My stomach was twisting with excitement and nerves all morning. But as I raise my head and find Zan’s face everything in me calms. We lock eyes. And as if by Royal command, a songbird chirps her love song.