Vanessa sighed turning off the television and running her fingers through her hair, she knew that it wasn’t going to be easy but they were going to have to return to the capital in the next few days.

The public needed their royal family and Vanessa needed to put on brave face if she was going to lead them in their grief; the funeral was organised and everything was in place.

Fernando sat silently next to his wife, he had no idea what to say and he wrapped his arms around Vanessa knowing that they were going to be okay; it would get better when they had things to distract him.

“We have to go back,” Vanessa murmured softly closing her eyes, she cuddled into Fernando’s side wishing that they could stay here longer; she had no idea how they were going to cope when they returned to their home but they were going to have to.

Fernando pressed a kiss to the top of his wife’s head, he held her close knowing that he would do anything to keep her and their children safe; things were different now and he was going to do his best to support Vanessa in every way that he could.

“I know,” Fernando whispered peeking over at Nora who was playing with her dolls and Biscuit, he had no idea what to expect but he was hopeful that they would manage.

Vanessa took a deep breath and looked up at Fernando, she wished that there was some way that she could thank him; he had been so supportive when she had needed him most.

“Gracias,” Vanessa said watching Fernando before she leant forward and gave him a kiss, she had no idea what she would have done without him; he had been there every moment that she had needed him and had never left her side.

Fernando shook his head, he knew for a fact that when the time came that she would do the same for him; he had done what was right and he would never let anyone upset her.

***

Vanessa took a deep breath as their car drove down the streets through the capital, she hadn’t been home since the day that her father had passed; she hadn’t been able to bare being home knowing her father was gone.

Fernando laced his fingers with Vanessa’s while he talked with Nora, he knew that this was hard and just doing the little things made her feel better.

Bojan napped soundly in his car seat, completely unaware of the tension that filled the car; he had no idea what was going on and usually slept a lot while he in a car.

“I need to go to the Palace,” Vanessa said suddenly, she looked to the driver of the car knowing that she couldn’t go straight home; she had somewhere that she needed to go first.

Fernando looked at his wife confused, he had hoped that they would go home and rest but he would support her no matter what she decided to do; he could already see that they were heading towards Bruckstone Palace instead of their home.

“There’s something that I need to do,” Vanessa stated looking at her husband, she hadn’t really paid much attention to what was going on back at the palace but she doubted that it would be any different than any other time of mourning.

Fernando nodded his head, he watched her wondering what was going through her head; it had been a while since she had kept him guessing like this.

Vanessa chewed on her lip as they slowly approached the palace where thousands of people seemed to be waiting; they were all mourning for the loss of their king as much as she was mourning the loss of her father.

Fernando tried to ease his own nerves, he looked at Bojan knowing that everything had changed now and there was nothing that would ever change that; he just hoped that he could protect his family.

***

Pulling up outside of the Bruckstone Palace, Jorge Hernandez climbed out of the car and moved to open the door so that Vanessa could climb out; he had served the new Queen as her personal body guard for years now.

Vanessa carefully climbed out of the car and smoothed out her black V-neck blouse and black wide leg crepe trousers; she had to do this and she knew that Fernando understood that she had to do this.

Fernando climbed out of the car after his wife, he knew that the security guards could keep an eye on the children who were safe in the car; he had no intentions of exposing his children to everyone during this time.

“Nando…” Vanessa murmured looking to her husband, she watched him as he moved to her side; she had thought he’d stay in the car with the children instead of coming with her.

Jorge closed the car door and watched the couple through his sunglasses, he was glad that Vanessa had Fernando; the former footballer was good for her and would help her through everything that was going to happen.

“I promised to stay by your side,” Fernando murmured with a small smile, he had no idea what his wife was going to do but he hoped that she was sure about this.

Vanessa nodded at Fernando before she moved towards the gates that were covered in flowers; she admired them knowing that everyone was in shock after what had happened to George, it had taken everyone by surprise.

Fernando followed after his wife, he was amazed at how everyone had come together in this time of national grief; he found himself reading some of the notes that had been left for them.

Vanessa smiled sadly, she remembered the last time that the palace had been like this and she knew that her father would be in awe of what had happened; she was going to have to get used to not having him around.

“Would you like me to lay these flowers for you?” Vanessa asked stopping to speak to a small girl that had flowers in her arms, she could feel people staring and she wished that she wouldn’t.

The little girl shook her head slowly staring up at the new Queen, she was almost in awe that she was speaking to someone so important right now.

“They’re for you,” the little girl whispered holding out the flowers to Vanessa, she stared up at the woman that everyone had been talking about and she couldn’t believe how pretty she was up close.

Vanessa stared for a moment surprised at what the little girl had said, she hadn’t expected anything like this and she hoped that everything would be this easy.

“Thank you,” Vanessa said gratefully, she took the flowers from the little girl and took a deep breath; she had no idea what they were going to do but she was sure that they would be able to do something that would honour her father.

“Her Royal Highness, we have to get back to the house,” Jorge called softly, he hated to rush things but he was concerned that Vanessa might become a target now that she was Queen; he didn’t want to take that chance and leave the country with a King that was barely a year old.

Fernando moved towards his wife, he trusted Jorge’s instincts and he knew that if Jorge wanted them to move then it was for a good reason; they didn’t need anyone taking a shot at the royal couple while the country was already grieving for the loss of King George.

###

Author's Note: 

The new list of the Andorran Royal Family with Titles:

HM Queen Vanessa of Andorra

HM King Consort Fernando of Andorra

- HRH Crown Prince Bojan, Duke of Santa Coloma

- Lady Nora, Viscountess of Santa Coloma

HRH Princess Charlotte of Andorra

HRH Prince Joseph of Andorra

HRH Elizabeth, Duchess of Ordino

 HRH Margaret, The Duchess of Sol

 HRH Andrew, The Duke of Sol

Stefan Delmore, The Earl of Pal

Maria Delmore, The Countess of Pal