The file landed on the conference table with a thump and slid a few inches across the table as the pages inside came loose and fluttered onto the table. It was safe to say that no one expected that reaction, especially from Allan Baker, the representative from the House of Lords who was also their PR advisor.
"Absolutely not. We are not going to do this," Allan said, face red with ill-concealed rage and spittle flying as he blustered about.
Richard cocked his head to the side, studying Allan and he couldn't help but wonder 'why not?'. What was it that the palace was trying to hide? Was there anything to hide? He knew it in his bones that his mother was sad for as long as he could remember. He knew that being hounded day in and day out, for a shred of gossip did her so much harm. He knew that being a princess made it hard for her to get help. He knew that she had openly talked about her depression before. So why so much anger? Why has this topic become such a big taboo in this palace? Wouldn't it be healthy to talk about these things?
Frowning, Richard looked about the conference room and locked eyes with his eldest brother, who also happened to be the crowned king. Phillip's blue green irises were bright against the white of his eyes, his brows were furrowed, and the worry lines on his forehead seemed to have deepened in the two years that he's been king. A small smirk played on Richard's lips as he noticed that Philip's blonde hair, had seen better days; it was thinning with an extremely prominent widow's peak- highlighting the fact that the King was balding at the ripe old age of 37. I guess on top of being crowned King, having four children in the span of five years doesn't help with the wrinkles and the balding, Richard mused as a ribbing session was definitely in order once Allan was done with his blustering about.
The clink of China drew his attention across the table where he saw his sister, Victoria, serenely sipping on some tea. She looked like the perfect picture of poise and elegance, but Richard knew that her patience was wearing thin. Her white knuckled grip on the teacup and saucer being an obvious tell. Richard began counting down, 5...4...3...2...1
"I think that's quite enough, Allan," Victoria said, flipping her wavy auburn hair back and her green eyes piercing. "We have discussed this before, even before Phil was King. The only reason we haven't done it yet was because we never knew when and how to approach this subject," she said as her gaze settled on Richard and softened. Standing up, with one hand under her heavily swollen abdomen and the other massaging her back she waddled towards him.
"Are you alright there?" Richard asked, concern heavily lacing his voice as he walked to meet her halfway.
"I'm fine," she said as Richard started rubbing her back. "The baby refuses to let me sit anymore, not even for a second." Victoria smiled as unconsciously rubbed her baby bump. Standing side by side, it was no wonder that people confused Victoria to be the youngest of the three. With her wavy auburn almost reaching her waist, the brightness in her green eyes, and the charming smile that seemed to be permanently carved on her lips; she was the poster child for fun. And fun she did have when they were children, all on the expenses of the boys as she got away scot free from all the repercussions with her sweet smile and innocent expressions.
"Allan, that's enough. You can take your leave now," Phillip's voice rang clearly through the conference room.
"But...but...your Majesty...." Allan blubbered on.
"This is something that we need to discuss privately. Once we have reached a decision, you will be notified," Phil said brusquely. As the help cleared the room, the three siblings sat huddled together with Richard still rubbing Victoria's back and Phillip helping her by placing a pouf under her feet.
"If this is the treatment I get while I'm pregnant, I'll make sure to get knocked up every year," Victoria laughed breathlessly as she shifted trying to get comfortable.
"Trust me, you'll probably rethink it after you push this one out," Phillip said nodding towards the bump.
"So, do you still not know the sex of baby?" Richard asked.
"No, since it was a surprise pregnancy; we decided to let the sex be a surprise as well." Victoria huffed finally settling down in a comfortable position. "And that hasn't stopped Cate from popping one out almost every year, has it Phil?," She said quirking an eyebrow.
Without wasting any more time, Victoria grabbed hold of one Richard's arm stilling his movements and gazed into his eyes, "Are you sure about this?"
Richard swallowed, thinking about Farrah and her proposal.
"Why now, Rich?" Phillip asked studying his youngest brother.
"It's Mum's 20th anniversary next year," came the raspy reply from Rich.
""Yes, but why now?" Phillip persisted.
With an intense need of putting some distance between himself and his siblings, Richard walked over to window and sat himself on the windowsill. He leaned back on the cool glass tilting his chin up, eyes lost in thought.
"When, uh..." Richard cleared his throat again, "When this proposal was presented to me, I had a panic attack."
"What?" Victoria immediately tried to get up, the need to comfort her younger brother overriding her own.
"Sit down, Vicky," both men said sharply.
"Let me finish," Richard continued a softer note. "The woman who presented this proposal, Ms. Khan, she lost her mother too. She was 15 when her mother lost control of a car while she was heavily medicated on anti-depressants. No one in the family knew that she was being medicated, her mother didn't talk about it. No one talks about it. Not then, not now."
The silence felt heavy in the room, and each one of them knew the pain of losing someone so unexpectedly. To be devastated so completely that it ruins you. Victoria, knew first hand the ruin that Richard went through. Instinctively, she knew the woman meant something more to Richard, than just a 'someone who presented an idea' to him.
"I know it's completely hypocritical of me to say this, but maybe it's time to actually talk about this. The platform that our name, our position provides â it will reach millions all over the world." Leaning his head back with a thud, chin still tilted forward and eyes still looking up, "maybe it's time I start talking about it."
Phillip and Victoria exchanged a glance before settling their gaze on their brother. Phillip had tried for years to get Richard to talk to him about their mother's death and the circumstances that surround it. But he had always refused. Richard had steeled himself when their Grandmother had harshly told him that 'men don't cry', what a load of bollocks, thought Phillip clenching his jaw. What the then eleven-year-old Richard saw, no one knew. Whatever it was, it damaged him and no one could get through to him.
"You're doing this because of Ms. Khan, aren't you?" Victoria asked, astute as ever in her observations her voice devoid of any judgements or accusations. She had voiced the same question that Phillip was dying to ask, but he knew that it would have never come across as coolly as Victoria.
Richard's eyes finally snapped back to his siblings, trying to read their expressions. Wondering to himself how honest should he be? For a moment he just wished that they could go back to being children, huddled together under blankets, trading secrets over mugs of hot chocolate during winter. Perhaps it was that nostalgia that fueled his answer.
"I'm not doing this because of her, I am doing this for her," he answered truthfully.
***
Hello lovely people, it's that time of the week again...which means it's UPDATE TIME! SO random for me to put this note at the bottom as opposed to the top which would most probably make more sense. Anyways, I am rambling.
I have just started on a diet and a pretty intense HIIT workout routine and OMG I am dying. The good kinda dying, but still dying nonetheless. Anyone on here doing HIIT as well? Talk to me ;)
Since I've updated, I am taking a mental break today and just watching a movie before the writing starts again tomorrow.
Thank you so much to all the new lovely readers! Thank you for taking the time to read, comment, and vote!! Much love to all of you
Love! Love! Love!