The ride to the Capital was cloaked in silence. Neither Portia nor Cristiano spoke; both were lost in their own thoughts. Portia sat with her hands neatly folded in her lap, too shy to meet his gaze, while Cristiano stared ahead, his expression unreadable and his mind seemingly elsewhere.
Upon arriving at the palace, the couple were led into the great hall to greet the King and Queen.
"Greetings to the King and the Queen," they said in unison, bowing with grace.
The King, in high spirits, welcomed them warmly. "How was your journey?"
"It was good," Cristiano replied, standing tall and composed like a soldier on duty.
The King nodded, then turned to business. "Tomorrow, a convoy of ambassadors will be arriving from Versailles. They will remain with us for two weeks. I want both of you to oversee their stay and ensure their comfort."
He then looked toward Portia, his tone gentle. "Will that be all right with you, Portia?"
