My Papa

Chapter 1: Revelation

“Daddy, who is Uncle Wills and why does he never visit us?” asked Amelia Windsor. She pulled at her strawberry hair and looked at her father as he adjusted his tie. They were in London for her cousin Mimi’s big 14 and stayed at a hotel not far from Buckingham Palace.

Harry, for the first time in 15 years, wore a dark blue suit with a slight yellow tie. His hair was a bit faded from its original rusty color. Amelia insisted on wearing the classical Tudor from the past. A blue overdress with flared sleeves at the elbow that seemed like a robe partly covered the black and white dress underneath. She curled her hair into ringlets that fell over her shoulders gracefully while some of it bunched atop of her head.

Prince Henry Charles Albert David Windsor stared at his daughter out of the corner of his eye. She looked as bored as he was when he was that age. 14 with a mind of her own, totally oblivious to his past. As soon as he married Diane those 15 years back, he virtually disappeared from the public and moved to a beautiful Napa wine ranch in California. He still kept in touch with his family and Will even flew down, in disguise, to Napa when Diane passed the year before.

“Daddy?” asked Amelia.

“Yes, Mia?” he replied. He got up and sat with her on his king-sized bed after finishing his cumbersome tie. “I better not see tennis shoes peaking at the big party. And I don’t want you to tease the guards on our way in. You can tease them on the way out.”

“You think Mommy is watching us?” she asked. She saw her father grow the somber expression. “Ok, fine, can you tell me your fairy-tale again? It almost seems real.”

“Why don’t I tell you all that when we come back? There’s something really important I need to tell you at the party and the ride is just downstairs.” Harry insisted. She sighed and rolled her blue eyes.

“Ok, Daddy.” She hopped off the bed.

“Ah, shoes?” he asked. She lifted part of her gown to show slippers. “Ok, let’s go, Princess.” They walked out of the hotel when the paparazzi began to shout and take pictures. A large bodyguard helped them to the limo without them uttering a word. “As soon as we get to the palace.” Harry muttered. Mia, being as understanding as she was, kept her mouth wisely shut.

When they arrived behind the long array of limos and expensive cars, Mia stared at all of their surroundings open-mouthed. “I didn’t know cousin Mimi knew the royal family, daddy.” They walked out and into the ballroom, full of glittering people who probably had a car for each day of the week.

They stood in a rather long line on a plush red carpet. Mia looked at her father strangely but Harry smiled reassuringly. “Princess Amelia Elizabeth Diana Victoria of Wales; Daughter of Prince Henry Charles Albert David Windsor of Wales.” the person that announced the names of the people called out.

“Princess?” asked Mia but she curtsied anyhow then stared at whoever was in front of her. “Daddy?” she asked, as she bent in his direction.

Chapter 2: I Don’t Think So

“Daddy, what’s going on?” she asked as she squeezed his hand.

Harry bit his lip. Mia became very shy and scared whenever a camera was present. “Could you leave us alone for a second?” he asked the formal reporters. They agreed and left the family in the room.

“Is this the Amelia I hear all about?” asked the man that was greeting and smiling at people. He reached for her and she shied away. “Shy one, isn’t she?”

“Just like her mother and grandmother.” Harry whispered. He turned to Amelia. “Amelia, there’s something really important I have to tell you.”

“She doesn’t know?” asked the man. Harry sighed. “How can she grow up not knowing she’s a Windsor?” he demanded.

Mia hiked up her skirt and gently moved her father aside before going head to head with the man down-talking her father. “Excuse me? But who are you? The King of England? Don’t talk to my dad like that! And where is this Uncle Wills I hear that suddenly invites us to England out of the blue?”

“Father, why isn’t she acting like a proper young lady?” asked a girl about her age that sat next to a woman, regal as the man. “I thought she was a princess like me. She certainly isn’t acting like one.”

“A) Who said I was a princess? B) Who is Amelia Elizabeth Diana Victoria of Wales? I am Amelia Windsor from Napa, California.” Mia demanded.

“A contradicting character just like her mother, isn’t she, Harry?” asked the man. “And to answer your question: yes, I will be the King of England. I am also your Uncle Will.” Harry stood up, afraid on how his daughter was taking the news. She lowered her arms to her sides, balled her small hands into fists and stood very still. She turned towards Harry, her blue eyes ice-cold, demanding an answer. Instead of staying, she calmly walked out towards the gardens. “She took that more well than we thought.” he commented.

“If there is one thing about my daughter that you should know, my dear brother, is that steam is released in one way.” Harry said gravely.

*~The Gardens~*

“Well, at least this thing is a good maze.” Mia muttered. She sat on the stone bench. She wasn’t so far into the maze, just far enough to evade the party. She punched the hedge over and over like her gym bag at home. “I hate him! I hate daddy! I hate freakin’ England!”

“Whoa, you might need to slow down on the punching. Here, let me see your knuckles.” An elder man walked into the maze dressed in a suit. He gently took her china-white hands stained with streaks of blood in his. “Oh my, already bleeding. And, what’s this? Speckles of blue in this dark red mess?” he asked jokingly. He took out a handkerchief and ripped it in two before bandaging her wounds. “There. Now do you want to share what this is all about?”

“If I only punched harder, I could’ve gotten to my wrists.” Mia said as she glared at her hands.

“You sound like the wife I ignored so long ago. Even though we divorced, we still were friends.” He sat down next to her. “Now how bad could it be that you want to end it in some fruity palace garden?”

“My father lied to me for 14 years. We grew up as something and then, tonight; I found out that I’m supposed to be something else.” She crossed her arms and leaned against the hedge. She poured out the evening’s events towards the stranger, careful about leaving out the actual names and key details.

“She wouldn’t break a glass goblet, Wills. Take the anger out, and then wallow in sorrow. That’s what she says. She went in the maze. Hurry! Last time, she ended up in the hospital.” 2 distant voices were approaching. Huffing and dress shoes were heard clacking on the floor. The brothers turned a corner and saw Mia with the man. “F-father.” Harry stuttered.

“Harry!” smiled Charles Windsor. Mia slowly stood up. “I was walking out here to get away from the noise when I found this young lady beating the living daylights out of the hedge maze.”

“Mia!” Harry rushed towards his daughter and hugged her. “Thank goodness you’re alright.” He looked at her hands. “I guess he pulled you out before you got to your wrists. Thank you for stopping her, Father.”

“I’ve decided to break the stiff-upper-lip Windsor tradition. I want to connect with my grandchildren for life is short.” Charles sipped at his wine. “And, dear granddaughter whose name I do not know, anytime you want to talk, I’m at a palace nearby.”

“Thanks, Grandpa.” Mia smiled. Charles smiled, despite Will and Harry’s expectations, and left. “Do you want to explain without shocking me?”

“Well, technically, you are a princess but you don’t get to be called Her Royal Highness.” Harry began. ‘Wills, help me out here.’ he begged.

“What your father means to say is: well, let’s start from the beginning. Our mother was Princess Diana of Wales and our father, whom you’ve just met, is Prince Charles. That would automatically make us Prince William and Prince Harry. Anyhow, the real story began when your father began to go out with your mother, Diane. Oh she was beautiful, they met here in London. And finally, when he was 23 and she was 22, they disappeared from the public to get married in America. They liked it there so much that they stayed there. Of course, he told me but he knew when he left, that the HRH part of his name would be taken away. He would live his life normally but there is the matter of showing up once in a while.” Will explained.

“Like the fairy-tale.” Mia mused.

“And it is entirely your choice if you want the HRH part back.” Harry said softly. “Frankly, I don’t really miss it. The world’s entire focus is on William.”

“Amelia, we have a grand ball at the end of this week. We’ll let you see what life is like as a royal and hopefully; you will reach your decision then. Do we have a deal?” asked Will.

“If you let me make one very important announcement in front of the whole world that will probably disgrace your family.” Mia warned. She looked at the future king’s eyes steadily.

“Of course.” Will decreed. “Did she get the top marks in her democracy class, Harry?”

“I was at the top of my class.” Mia winked. “Do I have to wait or what?” she asked. They walked back in when William stepped up to the podium, asking for everyone’s attention. He announced Mia and she stepped up to the podium, looking out into the crowd of England’s most elite. “Ladies and Gentlemen, paparazzi and reporters like. If I do reclaim the title of Royal Highness to my family, I want one thing to be perfectly and absolutely clear: if someone who dares to disturb my privacy, and believe me you will know, I will not be held accountable for my actions.”

Harry stood up and walked over to his daughter. A few gasps were heard from the crowd. “I present to you, England, Princess Amelia Elizabeth Diana Victoria of Wales.” Harry announced proudly.

End.