Sascha

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.

"Is something wrong Sascha?" The queen asked gently.

"No ma'am. Just remembering how my transition began; my injury; and how I arrived at MIT full of hope--and ended up homeless, panhandling on the streets of Boston for nearly a month, before Robert found out something was wrong and came looking for me..."

"Which awakened you to the plight of the homeless?" The queen suggested.

"Sascha?" The king said quietly, "Theoretically speaking..."

Sascha felt her insides tighten.

"If the queen and I suggested that marriage with Robert were not in his or Douravia's best interest, what would you do?"

Sascha gazed at the king and queen. Neither face gave her a clue. Were they testing her love of Robert? Were they preparing her for disappointment?

"Sir. Ma'am." Sascha looked back and forth between them. " My love for Robert is absolute. Our marriage will be the most important facet of my life. Wherever Robert's duties send him, or require of him, my place will be by his side. If you ask me, or command me, not to marry him, I will be shattered...perhaps beyond repair." Sascha felt herself starting to tear up and blinked her eyes trying to keep from crying. She gathered herself. "But...I also recognize that Prince Edwin's present and future roles in this country are an unavoidable responsibility. So, my answer is this: If you decide that I am not suitable to marry your son, I will leave quietly. I will not make a scene; I will never mention to anyone what might have happened, only that things didn't work out between us. And you may rest assured I will never come around asking for help or favors. Finally, if you ask or order me not to marry your son, I promise I will do nothing to tarnish Prince Edwin's or Douravia's image." The tears escaped in a flood.

The queen stood and patted Sascha on her shoulder, "Please don't cry. We don't want you all red-eyed when we introduce Robert's future wife to the rest of the family." The king handed Sascha a handkerchief.

"By the way. Have you and Robert discussed a wedding date?" The king asked.

Sascha sniffled, "Yes sir. In respect of Douravian traditions, we've tentatively chosen December 24th of this year."

"An excellent choice," The king enthused, "Tell me, is it true you fainted when Robert proposed?"

Sascha shook her head and smiled while she wiped her eyes and nose. "You may keep the handkerchief." The king joked. "I have others."

"Thank you, sir. It is not entirely true. I did not faint when Robert proposed. I can't describe how happy I felt. I fainted when Robert and Mr. Charles conspired to reveal that Robert is a Prince."

"Ah!"

"Sir?"

"Yes?"

"I heard Robert and Mr. Charles discussing your proposal. They mentioned a thrown book and a broken nose..." The king started coughing, the queen started laughing. After looking at them both, Sascha asked, "So it is true?"

The king nodded.

"It certainly is." The queen announced. "Although I didn't intentionally hit him with the book."

"Well, Miss Janovitch you know our not-so-secret secret." The king laughed. "Now, will you share with us? What do you think are your strengths and weaknesses?"

"Oh boy!"

"Take your time."

"Thanks. Let's see...I think strengths first. I'm very modest..." She smirked, "Sorry. Couldn't resist. Seriously, I like to think I'm fairly intelligent. I know that I am a hard worker and I can be incredibly focused on achieving whatever goals I set for myself. I'm very honest. On the golf course I'm a pretty good putter. When I drive a car, I follow all the rules. I've never received a ticket."

"You're a golfer?" The king asked, "Perhaps we can play sometime? What is your index?"

"I'd like that. The last time I looked I was a 17. Now for my weaknesses. I'm still very young and more than a little naive. I'm smart, but there's a lot I have to learn. I'm American, not European. Until Robert's reveal, I never paid any particular attention to European affairs--I had to admit to him that I'd never heard of Douravia. Even though Robert tells me not to, I worry about how my gender issues will be received. As an American teenager and a fairly new female I worry about my fashion sense--or lack thereof. I will need a lot of guidance on proper appearance for any given occasion. I guess etiquette isn't a strong point, although Mrs. Watkins has been a big help." She looked down at her shoes, then looked up, "I guess that's it."

In the distance Sascha heard a chime sound three times. "That's the warning that dinner is almost ready." Announced the king, "Ladies? Shall we?"

The king led the way down several halls and up a couple flights of stairs, and finally down one long elegantly appointed corridor. He had a long stride and Sascha had to hustle to keep up with him. "This is the family dining room," the king pointed to a doorway on his right. He gestured the queen and Sascha through the door before following. As he entered the room, those around the table rose from their seats. King Rupert showed Sascha to the empty seat to his left--across the table from Robert. As soon as the king sat everyone else sat.

"Father?" The speaker was a beautiful, black-haired teen girl, "Matteo and David are not here yet."

"Ah yes. Those two." He shook his head in dismay. "According to Robert they have committed a major sin and he caught them. Those two have been banished to their rooms without dinner. They will be punished after dinner. Now! No more about those two miscreants. Ladies, gentlemen, allow me to introduce Robert's fiancée Miss Sascha Janovitch. Everyone started talking at once. Sascha was the only quiet one in the room. All the siblings gathered, chattering, around Robert. Hands were shaken, backs were slapped.

A beautiful teen girl slipped over to Sascha and smiled shyly. "Hi, I'm Caroline."

"Hello Caroline." They shook hands.

"You're very pretty." The teen said.

"So are you. I love your hair."

"This? I want to dye it blonde, like yours, but mother and father won't let me."

Sascha shrugged, "How old are you?"

"Me? I'm fifteen. I'm the youngest daughter."

"Really? Me too."

"I thought you were a twin?"

"I am. But I'm fifteen minutes younger than my sister--and the family never lets me forget it."

"Oh, I know what you mean! You're too young Caroline! You wouldn't understand Caroline! Blah, Blah, Blah Caroline!"

"Let's return to our seats everyone. Our dinner is ready." The king had to shout to be heard, "Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah." He said pointedly to Caroline.

"I'm sorry father." She grinned at Sascha from behind her hand, knowing she'd get away with it.

As the royal mob slowly moved back to their seats, each of Robert's brothers and sisters stopped and introduced themselves and congratulated Sascha. The eldest daughter, Katherine, like everyone else, smiled and congratulated Sascha, "I am very happy for you both," but then she bent down and whispered, "Robert tells us you speak French. Si tu blesse mon frère je te détruirai." (If you hurt my brother I will destroy you.)

Sascha nodded and patted her on the shoulder, "Je ne m'attendrais pas à moins." (I would expect no less). "I'm sure we'll be great friends."

As everyone finally got seated, Robert spoke across the table, "What were you and Katherine talking about?"

Sascha looked at Katherine and smiled, "We were just saying how much we both love you."

"I was telling Sascha how much I admire her ability to speak languages other than English." Katherine added with a smile."

"Excellent." Robert stood, "There's one more thing before we eat." He stood up, circled behind his father's chair and approached Sascha. He took her hand and she stood. Robert kneeled, "Sascha, one last time, will you marry me?"

"I will." She peeked over Robert's shoulder--the king was nodding. Robert replaced the ring on Sascha's finger and then stood up. Everyone applauded. Sascha blushed and stared at the empty plate in front of her.

A door opened behind the king and several men and women came out carrying serving trays. "We're having our weekly casual dinner tonight." The king boomed.

"You're kidding!" Robert exclaimed, "Sascha's first dinner with us?" He started laughing.

"We wanted her to feel welcome," The queen added.

"Come on let's eat, we're starving," Griped the son who'd introduced himself as Gustav.

The servers removed the tray covers. Sascha was startled to see a tray of hamburgers, a couple trays of fries, another tray holding a variety of condiments, and a bowl of mixed greens for salad.

Robert read Sascha's surprise. "Sascha, this is a family just like any other. Not every meal is haute cuisine. You should be here when we have spaghetti." He accepted the tray of burgers from his father, took two, and passed it to the brother on his right--Charles--if Sascha remembered correctly. Charles passed it to Geoffrey who sent it around the rest of the table. The trays of salad, fries, and condiments followed in their turn.

Sascha added some lettuce and tomato to her burger; grabbed some salad and a few fries. The burgers tasted delicious and the table was fairly quiet as everyone ate. The tray of really excellent fries and a tureen of ketchup made a second trip around the table. Sascha, very reluctantly, passed.

Caroline, sitting to Sascha's left, nudged her, "Are our burgers as good as in America."

"Mmm." Sascha mumbled, caught with a mouthful of salad. She nodded vigorously.

When everyone had finished eating, they sat chatting before the King called for quiet. "Did everyone enjoy dinner?"

"Yes Papa'," Chorused all the kids.

"Sascha, how about you?"

"Excellent, Your Majesty. Delicious. As good as I've ever had."

"Wonderful. Wonderful." He paused and looked around the table, "And Sascha, you are going to be family. In private gatherings like this please feel free to call me Papa' like the rest of the kids."

Sascha sat silent, she looked around the table and saw everyone smiling. "Yes...P...Papa'"

"Geoffrey...Isabella...I believe it is your turn to clear the table?"

"Yes Papa'"

"Yes Papa'" They answered together, simultaneously standing and beginning to gather dirty dishes, cutlery, and serving dishes.

"Very good." The king announced. "So. Robert...Sascha, how are we going to announce your engagement?"

"I've been thinking about that Father." Robert stood and walked around the table to stand behind Sascha. "However we make the announcement we must, as soon as possible address Sascha's gender status. We do not want to give the impression we are trying to cover it up, or hide it from the public."

"Yes. I agree. We don't want anyone insinuating we've been anything less than open. Sascha?"

"Yes sir. Too many people back home know my 'secret'. When our engagement is announced, if we don't state the facts right away. Some muckraker will find someone who knows and then claim to have an exclusive exposé. We can't have that."

Katherine spoke first, "Father? Might I suggest that You and Mother do a formal release; something like, 'Their Majesties King Rupert and Queen Sophia of Douravia are pleased to announce the engagement of their son, Edwin Charles Xavier Robert Devereaux, Crown Prince and Heir to the Throne of the Kingdom of Douravia to Miss...I'm sorry Sascha, what is you middle name?"

"Lynne."

"Thank you. I apologize for forgetting. '...To Miss Sascha Lynne Janovitch, of Boston, Massachusetts, in the United States. After their marriage and honeymoon Prince Edwin will return to his duties in the Douravian Consulate in Boston. Miss Janovitch, who is currently an undergraduate student of finance at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, will continue her studies. After graduating, Miss Janovitch, a transgender woman herself, intends to focus her attention on improving international recognition of transgender rights issues.' Something along those lines." Katherine looked around the table.

"Damn, Katherine, how...I mean I'm surprised you knew all that." Sascha stared at Katherine.

Katherine smiled broadly, "Robert has not been shy when telling us all about you. He displays every new tidbit he discovers like a five-year old with a shiny new toy."

"I do no such thing!" Robert objected as Sascha began to laugh.

"Yes you do!" Called out several of his brothers and sisters.

"Yes you do Dear," Stated Queen Sophia. King Rupert nodded, but didn't say anything.

"Not everything," Robert tried again.

Isabella, the 17-year-old, snorted, "Sascha, would you like to see the pictures he sent us from the embassy ball and after you broke your nose?"