Electra brought Frank into her den, a small, cozy room amidst the vast splendor of the palace. She sat on the large, overstuffed sofa, and motioned for Frank to sit next to her.
She sat silent for a minute, smiling, taking in his blue jeans and blue denim shirt. "You certainly have changed your personal style in the time you've been gone."
Frank laughed. "Well, admittedly the change was initially made out of necessity. However, I must admit I've gotten accustomed to it. It's certainly considerably more comfortable, and considerably less effort."
She nodded. "I like it. However, I should warn you that isn't the look your people will want to see when you make public appearances."
His voice and smile had a touch of irony. "I understand. Not to worry. I've always been prepared to give the people what they want."
Electra caught his sardonic tone. "It was a burden for you, wasn't it?"
Frank looked at his mother, slightly taken aback by her question. "A burden?" He sighed. "I suppose one could say that, although I never realized I felt that way until I lost all contact with Transsexual. One of the most frightening, but ultimately liberating, aspects of being left behind on Earth was trying to figure out what I wanted from myself…I'd always expended so much energy on living up to what everyone else wanted from me."
Electra put her hand on Frank's arm. "From what Andromeda reported to me, you succeeded brilliantly in finding a sense of purpose. I can't tell you how proud I am of how well you managed to create an entirely new life for yourself."
Frank cocked his head and looked at her curiously. "I appreciate your saying that, but really, what choice did I have?"
"You could have failed to rise to the challenge, and that challenge was considerable. When one is raised as a member of the royal family, that identity becomes central to one's self-image. I honestly doubt I could survive its loss, simply because I have no other resources from which to draw. In that sense, you were better prepared than I could ever be, as you'd fought to be trained as a scientist. However, even at that, going from being a Crown Prince to being an ordinary private citizen was a daunting obstacle to overcome. You demonstrated you were strong enough to do it. You should be proud of that."
Frank was silent a moment. "Now I hope I have sufficient strength to go from being a private citizen to being a Crown Prince again. I suspect that may prove to be the more difficult challenge."
Electra looked at him with concern. "You enjoyed life on Earth that much?"
Frank answered with reluctance. "Allow me to put it this way…I found it considerably more rewarding. There, I had a real job. I was a professor, and a damn good one. Students would clamor to get into my classes. It was immensely satisfying. However, on Transsexual, my sole function is to be 'The Prince.' I exist merely to be photographed, and written about, and seen at various public events. I know that won't always be the case, but for the foreseeable future, that seems to be my lot in life. Fortunately I can work on my science, but it's a bit frustrating that everyone seems to dismiss it as just an insignificant hobby."
The Queen looked at him with sympathy. Frank's ambition and brilliance would serve him well once he became Transylvania's ruler, but prevented him from being truly content with his life until he could take on the challenges of that role. It was an unfortunate paradox…a person of lesser intelligence and drive would thrive in the role of Crown Prince, but fail dismally upon taking the throne. If there was a way to reconcile the two roles, she hadn't yet discovered it.
"I can't say I have any words of wisdom about how to cope with the demands, such as they are, of life as the Crown Prince. I'm aware it's a role for which you are not particularly well suited, by either personality or intellect. However, I would like to disabuse you of the notion that your scientific work is not taken seriously. Your achievement with Rocky justifiably created quite a sensation within the scientific community. Your academic title may never supplant the one you acquired at birth, but your talents have been clearly recognized."
Frank brightened somewhat at this news. "Thank you for telling me. It may not have much impact on my daily life, but it's comforting to know that all my hard work has not been ignored – or, worse, dismissed."
Electra smiled, but gradually her expression became more serious. "I believe I need to prepare you for what has happened throughout Transylvania since you've been gone, and what you're likely to face in the next few days. You may not particularly enjoy the role of Crown Prince, but it is one at which you have been spectacularly successful. Certainly you recall your popularity before your departure for Earth. That popularity is nothing in comparison to what it has been since Riff Raff and Magenta returned to Transsexual without you. People throughout Transylvania, particularly the young, were plunged into mourning by your apparent death, and your status went from 'popular' to 'iconic'. For the past few weeks, rumors have been flying that you were alive and about to return to Transsexual, and the level of interest can best be described as frenzied – as evidenced by the presence of our reporter friend earlier. It is my hope and intention that you and Andromeda will have today to get settled. However, the press cannot be held at bay for long, particularly if my bodyguards were unable to apprehend that reporter. This evening the Palace will issue an announcement that you have indeed returned, and will make your first public appearance tomorrow afternoon at the Galaxy Stadium. The event will be broadcast throughout Transylvania. Will you be ready?
Frank shrugged. "When I have no choice, I do what I have to do."
"Fine. I will leave it to you – and Andromeda – as to whether you mention her special place in your life. I am quite sure the press will discover your relationship soon enough, so consider yourself forewarned."
"I understand."
The Queen steeled herself for her next statement. "The day after tomorrow, you will need to visit The Catacombs, where Riff Raff and Magenta are imprisoned, to pass sentence on them. Have you made your decision?"
Frank's expression was grim. "I believe so."
"Do you want to talk to me about it?"
He looked at his mother, his tension palpable. "Not particularly."
His obvious sensitivity to the subject concerned her, but she decided not to press him. "All right. Now I suggest you take advantage of this time of relative peace and quiet to prepare for the hectic days ahead."
Frank forced himself to shake off the gloom that had settled in the pit of his stomach, like a lead weight, with the mention of Riff Raff and Magenta. He rose from the sofa and smiled at his mother. "That sounds like excellent advice." He started to leave, then turned back to face her. "Thank you for everything you've done for me. In particular, thank you for refusing to give up on discovering my fate. I can't begin to tell you how much it meant to me."
She smiled slightly, shaking her head. "How could I ever give up on finding out what happened to you…particularly in light of the possibility you were still alive? When I was told you were dead, all I could think was that I would gladly give up every bit of power and wealth I possessed to have you back again. Instead I was able to use those very assets in order to make your return a reality. I am, indeed, a fortunate woman."
Frank gave her a wry look. "I hope you still think so after these next few days are over. You may end up wishing you'd left me where I was."
With a playful grimace, Electra picked up one of the pillows from the sofa and tossed it at his head. Laughing, Frank caught it, replaced it on the sofa, and quickly left the room.
As soon as he walked out, Electra's playful demeanor became pensive. No, she thought, I'm afraid YOU'LL end up wishing I'd left you where you were.
