Beyond The Tiara(house of Jensen Series Book 2)

The Awful Truth

"Ok it's a deal".

I sit beside my wife then turn and hug her. She lays her head on my shoulders and I hear her breathing slowing down. I could feel her relaxing I stroke her back while telling her I love her and would always be there for her.

Victoria's POV

We arrived in Hawaii after a very long plane ride. Since our destination changed the plane had to land in another country then change course. But as we were driven to our home for the next two weeks and I saw the beauty all around us. I forget about the long haul flight but not my sister's betrayal.

We were staying in a private villa with its own pool on a private island with staff. The villa was lent to us by a friend of the king. I have a shower and change into a white bikini then I make virgin Pina Coladas while Diego takes his shower. He comes out in red board shorts. He takes the drink from me and we walk out back to the pool area. We slept on the plane so we weren't very tired. I finish my drink and start swimming lengths in the pool. Diego joins me and we decide to race each other. When we finish swimming we relax on the sun loungers and ask the staff to brings us a selection of sandwiches.

We made a joint decision not to drink alcohol on our honeymoon. I also stop taking my birth control pills over a month ago. Diego and I decided to try to get pregnant as quickly as possible. We figured with him in his thirties and me being almost in my late 20's it was best to try now rather than later. Especially since we had to have at least two children, a heir and a spare.

Although it was a private island there were locals living there. There were restaurants and shops like any other island. The locals knew to keep their mouths quiet about their famous guest as their livelihoods depends on it. On our second night on the island we ate out at a local restaurant. We tried a dish call Saimin which was like a Chinese egg noodle soup with fresh meat and vegetables it was delicious. Whilst on our honeymoon we made a conscious effort to have one meal a day at a local restaurant. We always bought food back for the security who stayed at the house while we explored the island.

Since we didn't have to pay for our villa we wanted the locals to get the money we would have payed for our accommodation. We went to the market which was on every Wednesday buying everything from local produces to jewellery to decorative house items. We did see other celebrities and businesspeople who were staying on the island. We knew because of who they were they wouldn't leak we were also on the island. Billionaires and extremely rich people like their privacy.

We arrived back in Sardinia feeling well rested. I gave the presents Diego and I bought to our families.

The day after we got back we had several engagements. The first was at at a international business conference where overseas businesses who would invest in the country came together with the industry they were pouring money into.
The second was greeting the Italian Prime Minister who was on a state visit. The third was the passing out of officers at the naval academy. It was my first military engagement ever I wasn't senior enough to do this in Denmark.

Diego and I went to my best friend Lucie's house for dinner. All our friends were there we had to tell them about not trusting my sister which we did.

"So how was the honeymoon?" Ask Mia.

"It was amazing the food and people lived up to their reputations".

Diego smiles at me before saying, "I highly recommend it as a honeymoon destination".

The rest of the night was lovely. The next day the queen and I had an engagement at a hospital for sick children apparently it was a big deal. Camila and I got on so well I knew she would take me under her wing. Our joint engagement showed me I was right. She greeted the guest first and nodded subtly at me to greet the guest next.

"You do this or never do that", she would say to me. I followed her and watched her work the room. I realise she doesn't sit and have tea with the doctors and nurses.

While she talked to some of the staff working in the labs at the hospital. I looked down a microscope. One of the staff members told me I was looking at a slide of someone who had an infection.

In the car on the way back, "As queen there will be certain things you don't do on an engagement like the tea drinking with the staff when you get to my age. The younger members of the royal family will do that. When Leila marries her husband will become a prince. If he's not already one and will take on royal duties as well as your children and hers. By the time you're my age hopefully there's more people doing engagements for the royal family".

"Hopefully," I say. "So how did I do today?" I ask her.

"You did well but then you had years of practice. You just need to do things slightly differently now. When the people see you on an engagement they don't see a princess. They see a future queen remember that".

"Yes ma'am", I replied.

"We have time to teach you the ropes Victoria. I'm going to make sure you're prepared for that crown just like my husband is doing to Diego".

"I was thinking of getting a lady-in- waiting do you think it's too soon?"

"It's never too soon a good lady-in-waiting becomes a good confidant. You have someone to bounce ideas off.
Your engagements will ramp up until you take maternity leave. A good amount of staff is necessary, a personal dressmaker and a lady's maid is a must. Just remember that your lady in waiting must be from the aristocracy. It's best to get two I myself have three".

We arrived at the castle and we part ways. I requested a roast beef sandwich from the kitchen for lunch. As I eat I think about who from my friend's list I would want to offer the job of one of my lady-in-waiting.

Then I wondered if perhaps I should get someone I didn't know well. they will. But if they're to be a confidant wouldn't having a friend and someone I know be the best candidate?