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After the coronation, came the wedding.
Everyone, ranging from the Prime Minister to her ladies maids, had tried to convince Mia that there was no reason to rush ahead with a wedding now that the law regarding Genovian Queens had been changed, but she hadn't listened. The one good thing that had come out of the entire arranged marriage debacle, was falling in love with Nicholas. And now that she was in love, an actual marriage, seemed entirely right and proper.
But with the marriage duly solemnized and the honeymoon taken, it was time for Mia and Nicholas to settle into their new life together as the heads of state for Genovia.
It was all going so well. And then came Mia's first official audience with Prime Minister Motaz.
**
"You're joking," said Mia flatly, from behind her new desk.
The Prime Minister shifted uncomfortably where he stood in front of her, but held his ground. "I assure you, your Majesty, I would not joke about such a matter. Not after your government failed both the Dowager Queen and yourself, in not foreseeing the challenge to your sovereignty by Viscount Mabrey."
Mia grit her teeth behind her most placid smile. "And I appreciate that. But why, just days after my return from my honeymoon and before we have even started to address the real things that matter to the people of Genovia, are we talking about an heir to the throne?"
From the look on the Prime Minister's face, it was clear that he wished the floor could swallow him whole. "Is there no chance that--"
Mia realized where his question was leading and her entire body flushed red. "No!"
"It is very early," he said, seemingly determined to persist in a line of questioning that pleased neither of them. "But even if there is no chance now, there will be someday. And forgive me for assuming, your Majesty, but it is my belief that you will wish that your eldest child, no matter whether they be a boy or a girl, will be your heir."
Mia stared at him, uncomprehendingly. "Of course."
"But as a matter of Genovian succession law, that is not the case."
Her eyes narrowed at him. "Explain, please."
More at ease, now that they were on a point of law and not the contents of Mia's womb, the Prime Minister did as she asked. "Genovia, like many other monarchies, operates under the principle of male-preference primogeniture. Women only succeed to the throne if he monarch or male heir has no male heir of their own. You were only heir because your father had no son. If you were to have a daughter, followed later by a son, the son would become your heir." He paused and looked at her. "Am I explaining this clearly?"
Mia stared at him in horror. It was clear. And awful. "Shut up!"
The Prime Minister's expression grew relieved. "Ah, so you did understand. And you must understand why we should immediately proceed with a change to this outdated but entirely legal tradition? Before, as you say, we tackle the real problems faced by the Genovian people?"
"Yes. Please," said Mia, through gritted teeth. "Will that be all for today, Prime Minister?"
He bowed his head. "I think we have covered enough. Until next time, your Majesty."
Mia watched him walk backwards to exit the room, and only when the door was closed did she allow herself the smallest of muffled screams.
Mia loved Genovia. She was determined to be a good queen. But she didn't think she was wrong for wishing that just once, it would love her back the same way that she loved it.
Just once.
**
"Did you know that under Genovian law, our son would automatically inherit the throne instead of our daughter?"
Across the dining table, Nicholas looked at her quizzically and nodded. "Of course. Didn't you?"
"No," said Mia. "Because I am from a country without such antiquated inheritance laws and as previously established, no one tells me anything!"
"Mia, I'm sorry," he said contritely. He reached over the table and took her hand in his. "I assumed you knew. Nearly all monarchies have worked that way during at least some part of their history, so it seemed a logical thing for you to know."
"Well, I didn't. And finding out was accompanied by a very awkward inquiry into the state of our use of contraception, so forgive me for being more than a little grouchy about the whole subject."
It looked very much like Nicholas wanted to laugh, but he managed to pull it back from the brink before Mia ordered him to the couch for the evening. "I don't think I'll ask for more details than that. But can I take this conversation to mean that the Prime Minister will be putting forward a bill to change Genovian law on this point?"
"Yes," said Mia. "Thoughts, feelings, advice?"
"I think it's a good change," said Nicholas, somewhat to Mia's surprise. "It puts Genovia on a par with other European monarchies, many of whom have updated their own laws to eliminate that aspect of succession."
Mia blinked. "Excuse me?"
Nicholas's mouth curved up into a smile. "Which part confused you, my love? Was it the international law changes or my not acting like a misogynistic oaf?"
Mia scrunched up her nose and squeezed his hand. "Very funny."
"I thought so," said Nicholas, with a smirk that made Mia want to abandon their dinner and forget this conversation had ever taken place. "But sincerely, I support this change in the law and if you need me to say so publicly, I am happy to do so."
"No objections to a daughter being raised to be a queen instead of a son?" Mia asked. "You grew up with your uncle. It would be okay if you had a pang or two of regret."
Nicholas didn't answer immediately, and Mia appreciated him taking the question seriously. "It's hard to feel regret for a child that doesn't exist, and it's harder still to think that should we have a daughter first or only, that I wouldn't want to raise her to become the best queen that she could be. Change is difficult and I do not suppose this reform will be universally popular. But it is right and that is the most important."
"You are a good man, Nicholas Deveraux," Mia said.
"You certainly make me want to try," Nicholas answered.
After that, the conversation ended rather abruptly, both participants entirely happy to let the matter stand.
**
The next morning, Mia joined her grandmother and Joe for breakfast, as she did at least once a week. Mia might have been queen, but she wasn't foolish enough to think that she could do without her grandmother's counsel.
"Good morning, Grandma," Mia said, as she bent to kiss Clarisse's cheek. "Did you know that my future son has more rights than my future daughter?"
Clarisse froze.
Joe froze.
Mia took her seat between them, totally oblivious to their body language.
"Mia, my dear," said Clarisse, in somewhat strangled tones. "Is there something you're trying to tell us?"
"Yes, that Genovia has incredibly antiquated inheritance laws. Why didn't anyone tell me?"
"Mia," said Joe, in his slow, deliberate way. "I could be mistaken, but I believe what your grandmother is trying to ask is--"
"Oh," said Mia, interjecting as understanding dawned. "No, jeez, why does everyone keep thinking that I'm pregnant? It's the 21st century and Genovia has excellent access to both preventative care and contraception."
"I think that is as far as I wish to proceed on that subject," said Clarisse, holding up a hand to ward off any further comments. "I do admit to being somewhat relieved that I am not yet to become a great-grandmother. But Mia, where on earth did this subject come from?"
"I had my first private audience with the Prime Minister yesterday," Mia explained, as she spread pear jelly on her toast. "He weirdly inquired about if I was going to have a honeymoon baby and then explained that if I have a daughter, her rights to the throne would always be at threat from a hypothetical future son. Not cool, Grandma. How many more of these ticking sexist time bombs am I going to find out about after the fact?"
Clarisse and Joe looked at each other, and without a word, Joe rose from the table. He kissed the top of Clarisse's head and then Mia's in turn, and quietly left the room.
"I apologize," said Clarisse.
Mia blinked. "For what?"
"I should have done more to ensure that Genovia was prepared for the arrival of a young queen. I should have known that Viscount Mabrey was plotting a coup, I should have thought of petitioning parliament to eliminate our antiquated laws, like the marriage law you were nearly trapped by, or the succession one that is a future trap waiting to be sprung. My only defense is how young you are--you shouldn't be thinking of heirs at all for years, but here you are and I am sorry."
Mia was shocked. Her grandma liked a good speech, but she hadn't expected this one, or how genuinely troubled Clarisse seemed by the whole thing. She reached out for her grandma's hand and squeezed it. "It's okay, Grandma."
Clarisse shook her head. "It's not. You deserved better than to have your first few months in Genovia be overshadowed by all this…nonsense. And that it has not been, I am afraid, is my fault."
"You don't mind us changing the law then, do you?" Mia asked. "I spoke about it with Nicholas last night and he was much more in favor than I had expected, but I'd like to know your thoughts as well."
"Of course the law should be changed," said Clarisse. "How could you think I would feel otherwise when the very best of female heirs sits in front of me as a fierce, determined young queen?"
Mia smiled, and leaned over to kiss Clarisse's cheek. "That was cheesy, Grandma, but thank you."
"If I might make a suggestion, though?" Clarisse said, looking much more herself. "Don't just change this law. Ask parliament to undergo a thorough review of all Genovian laws, the ones that regard the monarchy and succession. See what else needs to be changed to bring Genovia into the 21st century, so that when my future great-grandchild does arrive, we are leaving them with a country that values both a son and daughter equally, a country of which they can truly be proud."
"Grandma, you rock," said Mia, with a beaming smile.
"We do try, my dear," said Clarisse. "Tea?"
**
"Greetings, Your Majesty," said the Prime Minister. "I hope I find you well today."
From behind her desk, Mia smiled. "You do. And yourself?"
"Well, very well," he said. "Before I begin with the routine update on governmental news, I did want to provide an update on the matter we discussed last week."
"Please," Mia said, gesturing him forward towards a chair. "I am all ears."
The Prime Minister sat. "I have spoken with both members of my own party and the opposition, and we are all in agreement that a bill removing male preference will be easily managed. It should come to the floor as early as next week and then all will be well."
"I am delighted to hear it," said Mia. "However--"
"However?" the Prime Minister interjected, looking alarmed.
"However," Mia said firmly, "I think that we should take this opportunity to not just change succession laws for the Genovian throne, but for all nobility. Why should any eldest daughter not be eligible to inherit a title? We also need to make sure that there are no more ticking time bombs awaiting a future queen in Genovia's laws. I am sure you agree with that."
The Prime Minister stared at her in shock. "To the second point, I am in absolute agreement and have already set my staff to researching. To the first, your Majesty, that is a much larger change and I am not sure that there will be support among all of Genovia's parliament for it."
Mia smiled at him. "Well, then we will just have to convince them. Now, I believe you mentioned wanting to discuss more routine governmental business?"
"Of course, Your Majesty," said the Prime Minister. "If you will look at page one of your briefing document…"
**
Five years later…
Behind closed doors, the parliamentary chamber was full and awaiting the arrival of the guest of honor of today's session.
Outside the chamber, Mia paced nervously, while Nicholas and her mother and grandmother looked on with amused fondness. In Nicholas's arms was a small, pink wrapped bundle, with a Genovian crest on the corner of the blanket.
"Darling," said Nicholas. "You need to relax."
"Relax, you say," said Mia, not ceasing her pacing. "You're not the one who has to carry an infant through parliament all the while praying that she stays asleep, and then announce her name and title to the entire world!" She snorted. "Relax."
"Mia, sweetheart," Helen said, trying for a soothing tone. "We talked about how sensitive babies are to your mood, didn't we? So maybe Nicholas has a point. The calmer you are, the better chances that she'll stay calm."
"I appreciate all of your support, Mom," Mia said. "But--"
"Amelia," said Clarisse. "Do not speak to your mother like that. Not even if you are a mother yourself."
"I didn't even say anything!" Mia exclaimed. She finally stopped pacing and turned to face her mother and grandmother. "I'm sorry if there was a tone, but I'm a little stressed and sleep deprived and--"
From nowhere, Joe appeared. "It's time."
Mia gulped and turned to Nicholas. "Gently, okay? The most gentle ever."
He looked as though he wanted to laugh, but solemnly, the baby was passed from father to mother.
Nicholas kissed her cheek. "It will be fine."
She nodded and turned to Joe. "We're ready."
In front of them, the ancient, heavy doors opened with barely a whisper of noise. Mia proceeded down the center aisle, walking more carefully than she'd ever walked before in her entire life. When she came to the front of the chamber, she turned to face the assembled members of parliament.
"We would like you to meet Helena Clarisse Mignonette Renaldi Deveraux, Crown Princess of Genovia."
Parliament exploded with applause, and Mia winced at the noise. She looked down at the baby in her arms prepared for the worst, but to her surprise and utmost joy, that was not what she found.
The Crown Princess slept.
From across the room, her parents smiled at each other with relief.