Many people are alive but don't touch the miracle of being alive. Thich Nhat Hanh
A Rose Called Miracle: Book #2, Part 4
Author's Note: A Rose Called Miracle is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the products of my imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or people, living or dead, is purely coincidence. A couple characters begin the story as minors; however, they reach their 18th birthday before doing anything of an intimate nature. I have named a few real locations; however, I have manipulated details of those places to suit my story. Finally, and to the best of my knowledge, there is no Kingdom of Douravia--but perhaps the world would be a better place if there was.
This story explores transgender and LGBTQ+ themes. You should stop reading now if these topics don't interest you.
Sascha's Journey Continues
Sascha nodded, just as the buzzer on the guard's desk buzzed three times. "Robert!" She said suddenly, "I don't want your parents to think I'm presumptuous." She removed her engagement ring and handed it to Robert. "If everything goes okay, you can give it back to me. Okay?"
"I will Sascha. Ready? Here we go."
CHAPTER 1
Sascha grabbed Robert's arm as the DNP officer in full ceremonial uniform threw open the ornate doors and stood aside. Sascha allowed Robert to guide her as they entered the large room, beautifully decorated in white, gold, and crystal. Robert squeezed her hand to refocus her attention as they stopped in front of a seated, middle-aged couple.
"Your Majesties. Father, Mother, may I present Miss Sascha Lynne Janovitch of Boston, in the United States. Miss Janovitch it is my honor to introduce Rupert Devereaux and Sophia Devereaux, King and Queen of Douravia. My parents. Father, Mother I have asked Miss Janovitch to be my wife."
The king rose from his seat, "Welcome to Douravia, Miss Janovitch. We're pleased finally to meet you. Robert, would you excuse us while we speak?"
Sascha looked at Robert in panic, he squeezed her hand, "Relax, Darling, you'll be fine. Father, Mother, if you'll excuse me?"
"Of course. Oh, Robert, have you seen David and Matteo yet?"
"Yes Father. We had a rather unfortunate encounter with them when we arrived. I am going to deal with them. I banned them from family dinner this evening. I will finish with them this evening after dinner."
"Do we want to know what they did?"
"No Sir. Not at this time. But trust me when I say they'll not be sitting down for a couple days. Now, I'll be going, Sir." Robert bowed and left the room.
"Welcome Sascha...May I call you Sascha?" Boomed King Rupert in his deep baritone voice that echoed around the large room.
"Of course, Your Majesty...Sir." Sascha responded immediately. She noticed the king was almost as tall as Robert. Trim, he obviously exercised. Like Robert he had black hair; however, the king's hair showed the first streaks of silver.
The king offered his hand to the queen as she rose. "Let's go find a place where we can sit together and chat." The king said. They left the lavish ceremonial room through a side door and entered a much plainer room, furnished with several groups of comfortable-looking chairs. The king led the threesome to a cluster in a back corner.
The king indicated a chair for Sascha. She started to relax into the chair, then Mrs. Watkins' dire warning to never sit before the king flashed in her memory. She quickly straightened herself and glanced at the king and queen. The royal couple smiled and sat. "Please Sascha, have a seat. Mrs. Watkins would be proud that you remembered."
"I hope so, Your Majesty. I'm terrified I'll do something inappropriate and cause embarrassment."
"Relax Dear," Queen Sophia spoke up, "King Rupert and I have been looking forward to meeting you."
"Thank you, Your Majesty. There is one thing I think we must address right from the beginning." Sascha licked her dry lips and leaned forward.
"Yes?" The king answered.
"I have to be certain...You both are aware of the fact that I am transgender?"
"We are. Robert has been very open about his love for you since the second time he met you. And, more importantly, he told us about your gender issues well before he proposed to you. And most of all he has kept us up to date on your hospital stays. So! That's that." The king slapped the arm of his chair. "Now, how are your treatments going?"
"Very well, sir. I have been on HRT for over 18 months now. I have been blessed not to have had any adverse reactions. My gender therapist has certified me for gender confirmation surgery and after my first consult with the surgeon I have been accepted. My surgery is scheduled for one week after I finish my college classes in May."
"Where is your surgery being done?" Asked the queen
"In Boston, ma'am. Dr. Aronofsky."
"Are you excited?"
"Yes...No...Yes...I'm excited...I'm terrified...I can't wait...I want to run and hide. Ask me again in five minutes." She grinned and shrugged. The king and queen laughed heartily.
"I have a question Sascha," The king asked.
"Yes sir?"
"When Robert first told us he'd asked you to marry, he mentioned that you agreed--with the caveat you be allowed to finish your college degree first. What happened to change your timeline?"
Sascha took a deep breath and sighed, "Me. I think it was the day after Christmas that Robert and I sat down and started a serious discussion about my...um...status? Responsibilities? As the wife of the Crown Prince."
The queen nodded, "A very perceptive concern. And...?"
Sascha grinned, "I realized that my ambition to attain immense personal wealth, no matter the cost, was inconsistent with the direction my life was going. I finally understood that my marriage to Robert would not be compatible with my previous goals. Instead, I asked him if it would be out of line for me to be politically active in support of transgender rights and efforts to help the homeless. Perhaps establish a non-profit organization towards those ends."
"How did Robert respond, if you don't mind my asking?" The king asked.
Sascha smiled widely, "Sir? He said it sounded like a worthy pursuit for a Princess of Douravia--but that he would stop me cold if I became involved in anything that would discredit Douravia or this family."
The royal couple nodded to each other and reached out to hold hands, "It seems," remarked the king, "That our son has become a good man. Our country will be in excellent hands when the time arrives. Sascha," The king continued, "This conversation hasn't gone at all like I planned. Please. Would you tell us a little about yourself?"
"Sir? Well, I was born, raised, and schooled in Plum River--that is where I met Robert. My father is a businessman and my mother is a professor of languages at the state university. I have a fraternal twin sister, Stephanie. I did well in school. I finished third in my high school class. Other than my academics I enjoy golf and running. According to several people, my gender...issues...were obvious long before I understood them. My sister Steph, sorry, Stephanie was the first person to openly suggest I was...um...different." Sascha leaned back in her seat and stared at the plain white ceiling for a few seconds.
