The Coronation Award

Rainier made small talk with the award winners as he waited for Gwen. They were all delighted to talk to him, gained a little attention from him, and saw him smile. For a lot of them, it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Jake heard the info through his earpiece and informed Rainier, "The queen is here."

"Ladies and Gentlemen," the MC began, "The Queen of Galsbourg."

*********************************************

There were camera flashes and people wearing formal clothes. Gwen took in the spacious grand room and was in awe. The chandeliers and the twelve antique mirrors, the elegant chairs, and the long mahogany tables put on the walls were full of refreshments. The embroidered curtains and the 24 people whose faces she saw in the profiles in her room, the award winners.

She would be perfectly satisfied standing in one corner, admiring the amazing people in the room and their great outfits. But no, she had to be center stage, no thanks to this tall man walking to her.

Rainier reached her faster than the award winners. She's looking beautiful, again, in that black, lacy cocktail dress. Her hair and makeup had been redone and with her tiara and set of diamonds, she looked like she was always meant to be there in the first place.

The award winners flocked around her, wanting to shake hands with her, but he led her to the end of the room, his hand on her back.

"Let's start the event," he said to Mark, his loyal secretary, who bowed and quickly informed the MC.

They stood at one end of the reception room as the MC announced each winner's name and his or her achievement.

Rainier gave a certificate of appreciation that he signed, and Gwen gave the trophy. The trophy was made from silver and glass, with the name of the recipient at the bottom.

The Royal Affairs office gave her a list of things she could say, so she smiled and said those words to the recipients as she gave the trophies.

"Thank you so much for your amazing contribution."

"I admire your dedication."

"The kingdom is lucky to have you."

On one hand, it was easy, because she really admired all of them. Their contributions were remarkable. So she was sincere when she praised them. What was hard was to pretend she had the right to say those words.

From the way the winners responded, it was clear they were happy to hear her praises.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

The men beamed and the ladies were smiling even wider. Some even had tears in their eyes.

Julia Thorpe, a ballerina who received the award because she created a ballet dance depicting a Galsbourg legend and had a worldwide tour, held Gwen's hand with both her hands and was looking completely star-struck and gushed, "My Queen, I'm so honored to meet you! This is the happiest day of my life! You are so beautiful!"

Gwen was flustered and turned to Rainier.

He only looked amused and said nothing.

"I-- I think your art is even more beautiful."

Julia froze. Then burst out into a sob.

"Ma'am, you've watched my performance?"

"I watched a video."

Julia covered her mouth and sobbed harder.

"Ma'am, would you-- would you attend my performance one day?"

"...I'd love to."

The ballerina gaped, then sobbed even harder. Mark, the king's secretary, had to lead her out of the way.

Gwen could still hear her saying in a shaky voice, "She said she'll come to my performance! Did you hear it? Oh my God, I'll practice harder for my next one!"

"Be careful with your promises. You must fulfill them. Now you owe her to attend a performance."

"I'll happily fulfill it if you could only let me go to the performance hall."

He didn't answer that, and the MC announced another award winner.

The rest of the winners accepted their trophies and certificates in a calmer way.

The last two were the most important.

Harry Whitfield stepped up in front of them. Gwen already screamed last night when she saw his picture. He looked exactly like Kevin, her best friend, and fellow detective in her previous world.

She remembered what Rainier said. There were people with the same faces in different worlds.

Not only Natalie and Sally, Emmet and Jake. Here was the exact replica of Kevin.

Rainier tensed and watched her expression.

"He's not the guy you think he is."

"I know. But it doesn't make it any easier."

Harry Whitfield approached them and bowed low.

He was the owner of the most famous smartphone brand in the kingdom and was awarded for providing one of the biggest job vacancies for people that year.

"Congratulations," Rainier said, giving him the certificate, and Harry bowed, saying "Thank you so much, Your Majesty."

Gwen gave him his trophy and said, "Thank you so much for everything."

The man blinked. Rainier turned to her angrily. And Gwen smiled at Harry Whitfield, with tears in her eyes.

For her, it was like saying thank you and goodbye to a brother.

For Harry, he fell in love at first sight.

For Rainier, it was an effort not to strangle the guy right then and there.

*************************

Completely annoyed with the way Gwen and Harry Whitfield were staring at each other, Rainier said "Next!" to the MC.

Harry walked forward but turned back to look at the queen one last time.

The last awardee was Duchess dr. Samantha Hansen Psy. D.

She was the one Gwen actually wanted to see.

Samantha walked in front of them and Rainier smiled.

"Sister," he called, "Congratulations. Another phenomenal year."

"Just an ordinary year for me, Your Majesty. However, thank you very much," she bowed low and accepted the certificate.

Then Samantha moved to Gwen.

"Your Majesty," Samantha bowed.

"Doctor Samantha, I want a consultation with you."

Samantha was shocked. Rainier was aghast.

Samantha couldn't say a word. She expected small talk, but not this request.

Gwen spoke in a low voice, and only the three of them could hear it.

"You're a great psychiatrist. I want regular consultations. Please."

She was holding Samantha's hands with both her hands.

Samantha turned to Rainier, her expression asking "What's going on?"

Rainier pulled at Gwen's wrist, causing her to let go of Samantha's hands.

"That's enough," he said.

With all the determination she could muster, she insisted to him, "Let me."

"Let's talk later."

They had to stand together for a photo call with all the award winners. Harry Whitfield was going to stand beside the queen, but Julia Thorpe fought to stand beside her.

Rainier noticed that but had no time to say anything since the photographer already began taking pictures.

Samantha stood beside the king and asked, "Is Her Highness alright?"

Rainier found himself saying the truth, "No, not really, Sister."

She frowned, then stared at the queen for a few seconds, before a senior scientist who also won the award addressed her, and she was then pulled into an interesting discussion.

*********************