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Standard disclaimer.
'Two weeks! Two weeks!'
Gwen did her best to hide her dismay and frustration, when she learned she had two weeks, to help Prince Andrew prepare for his public presentation.
When she'd reminded him of the event, he'd gotten a sick look on his face, but Gwen was determined to make this a successful experience for him, and in a way, for his father, even if it killed her.
Or even if Arthur killed her, when he learned of the latest thing she'd done.
He would probably need to get in line, behind Francis and all the advisors, and the queen, too, if she were here.
A few hours ago, she'd received the planned speech from the palace's PR people.
It was three pages long, with words inappropriate for a seven-year-old, so she gently edited it.
Okay, she hacked it.
It was now one and a half pages long.
She rewrote it on a different computer and printed it out in a huge font, on colored paper, so it would be easy for Andrew to read.
"This looks different from the first one they sent over," the little prince said, looking at the paper. Gwen decided not to address the issue.
"I think, what we're going to do, is have you memorize the speech." Prince Andrew's eyes widened in alarm.
"The whole thing!" Gwen nodded.
"Don't worry. You have excellent memorization skills, and we're just going to do it in little chunks, two or three times a day." Andrew gave a heavy sigh.
"I'm going to be cooped up in this room, for the next two weeks, trying to memorize this," he grumbled.
"No, you won't," she assured him. "You and I are going to have a picnic by the pond today and we're taking the speech with us. You can think of it, as eating one cookie twice a day, instead of eating the whole jar and getting sick."
"It's more like taking cough medicine," he grumbled again. She couldn't disagree.
"But guess what?" she asked. He shrugged.
"I have ordered a very special reward for you, after you have finished memorizing the speech." Andrew perked up.
"What kind of reward?"
"It's very special. It's a surprise."
'To everyone except me,' she thought, and fought a little attack of nerves. He studied her with curiosity.
"Is it from America?" She nodded.
"Yes."
"Is it books?" She shook her head.
"No. It's something you've never had before. And I'm not going to tell you any more, so don't ask."
"Is it a video?" he asked slyly.
"Absolutely not," she said, shooting him a dark look. Andrew knew she didn't approve of vegetating, in front of the television.
"If you don't start memorizing, you'll never find out what it is, because, you'll never get it." He gave a heavy sigh.
"Is it..." She held up her hand with the speech in it and said,
"Don't ask."
Every night, Arthur would insist Gwen join him in his private quarters.
And, they would make love, but they would also talk of his dreams for Andrew and Wales, and memories of his childhood.
He'd also ask about her life in Washington, D.C., and was appalled, when she casually referred to crime in the schools.
"If you insist on returning, I'll send a guard with you," he said, his blue eyes blazing.
Gwen chuckled, as she sat cross-legged across from him, on the sofa.
"I don't think Hans would go over very well, with second-graders. Plus, he probably wouldn't appreciate the assignment, when the kids spill milk on him and smear him with peanut butter."
"Or...you could decide to stay in Wales and function as the National Literacy Representative." Curious, Gwen met his gaze.
"I've never heard of a National Literacy Representative," she said.
"It's a newly-created position. The literacy representative, will work with the Royal Education Advisor, to facilitate literacy programs, for both children and adults."
"Just out of curiosity, how new is this position?" she asked. Arthur's eyes glimmered with humor and intelligence.
"It was approved today."
Gwen looked at him, feeling a rush of emotion and frustration.
That was some power play, to create a job, to lure her to stay.
On the other hand, how could she not fall for the man, when he was creating a dream job for her, in such a beautiful setting?
She crawled onto his lap.
"You're making it very difficult for me to leave."
"That is my purpose," he said, his expression so sensual, she found it hard to breathe.
"Why?"
"You would be very good for Wales. I'm confident, our literacy rate would increase exponentially."
"And that's the whole reason?" she asked. "Because I could do wonders for literacy? There's nothing else at all?"
His gaze darkened, and he lifted her hand to his lips.
"I didn't say that. I want you close by."
He slid his other hand behind her neck and took her mouth in a kiss, that whispered secrets...secrets Gwen was afraid to believe.
He tasted her and tempted her, like a man determined to keep her.
He didn't just want her, he needed her.
The seductive possibility, alternately thrilled, and terrified her at the same time.
How would her life be if she stayed?
How much more of Arthur would she grow to know and love?
Wouldn't it be harder than ever, for her to leave then?
The ghost of her future rang a warning bell, and although her heart was heavy, she silenced it and kissed him with all the passion in her.
How could this possibly end well?
"On Citizenship Day, we celebrate the strength and determination of our ancestors, who have kept Wales at peace, for over two centuries. We celebrate the commitment of our government, to ensure that no one in Wales shall go hungry. We also celebrate the bright future, to which each citizen contributes. I'm grateful and proud to be a part of this country, where the people have such strength and heart. God bless Her Majesty, Queen Igraine, His Highness, Prince Arthur, and every citizen pf Wales."
Gwen's eyes filled with tears and she put her hand to her heart.
She and Francis sat among the crowd of stuffed animals she'd created, as pretend spectators, for Andrew's performance.
"Bravo!" she yelled, loudly clapping. Francis too, applauded and she heard him sniff, just before he said,
"Magnificent!" Andrew beamed with pride and pleasure.
"I did well, didn't I?" Gwen hugged his sturdy frame.
"Yes you did. You rock!" she said.
"What does rock mean?" Francis asked and Andrew smiled.
"It means you're the best." Francis sniffed again.
"Your father will be so proud. The queen..." he said, his voice catching. "My God...the queen will be beside herself. The PR department outdid themselves with the speech."
"Oh, well, Madam Gwen helped..."
"But Drew's delivery was what really made it all work," she said, cutting the little prince off, not wanting to get into a snit fest with Francis, over her revision of the speech.
She had a veritable smorgasbord of snit fests to face, in the coming twenty-four hours.
Andrew tugged at her arm.
"When do I get my reward?"
"Very soon," she said. "I'm picking it up for you later."
"It has arrived from the States?" he asked, moving from foot to foot in excitement.
"What reward?" Francis asked warily.
"Oh, it's a special surprise I promised Drew, when we first started working on the speech."
"What is this surprise?" he asked, his wariness turning to suspicion. And rightfully so, Gwen thought, uneasiness twisting in her belly.
"If I tell, it won't be a surprise," she said, giving a meaningful sideways glance at Andrew. Heaven help her, she was the worst at subterfuge and evasion.
"Very soon," she said, patting Andrew's cowlick.
Arthur joined his advisors after dinner, for an evening meeting, in anticipation of the extended holiday, before Citizenship Day.
They had covered just about everything on the agenda, when he heard a strange noise down the hail.
The meeting continued, but so did the noise...one that he couldn't quite identify.
He tossed a questioning glance at his male assistant, standing by the door.
The assistant gave a nod and opened the door, to a yipping sound, that strongly resembled the sound a dog would make.
One of the advisors turned to him, with a look of surprise on his face.
"Your Highness, is there a dog in the palace?"
Arthur remained silent, as he wondered, who on earth would bring a dog to the palace, but his mind didn't have to travel far.
Guinevere.
He stood and called the table to attention.
"I'd like to bring this meeting to a close and allow you gentlemen to begin your holiday. We've covered all the pressing matters. I do appreciate your attendance, so late in the evening, and I look forward to your presence at the Citizenship Day celebration."
"Prince Andrew will be speaking, won't he?" one of the advisors asked.
"Yes, of course, and I understand from his assistant, that he's very well prepared." Prince Arthur smiled. "We will all be proud."
Inviting no further questions, he raised his hand and said, "Good night, all," and left the room.
Arthur's assistant met him halfway down the hall, where he could hear raised voices.
"Your Highness, there is a problem."
"I got that impression," he said, drawing closer to the reception room. The dog's howling, along with the voices, grew louder, as he opened the door.
A beagle puppy, yipping and howling, sat cowering at Gwen's feet, as she shook her finger at a red-faced Francis.
"Dogs are not allowed in the palace. They are forbidden by the queen," Francis shouted.
"It's too late to send him back," Gwen retorted. "I promised Drew a reward for learning his speech, and the puppy is his reward."
"You should not have made that promise, without consulting the palace authorities. You have really done it this time, Madam Gwen. The dog must go," Francis said, moving towards the puppy.
Her eyes glinting with sparks, Gwen raised her chin and her hands, as if she were ready to take him on.
"You just try it," she icily said.
Arthur just stood there.
He couldn't believe what he was witnessing.
'This...tiny...stubborn woman...time to step in before a full-fledged brawl breaks out,' he thought.
Stay safe, stay home and stay blessed.