The Heart of Royalty, part 5
And as they talked, sometimes trying to include Simon, and sometimes talking between themselves, Simon came to another startling realization. King George had fixed the widow’s step! And it sounded like he did these things regularly! His work clothes, his dirty hands, the sweat on his brow were a normal part of his life. And as they talked, the picture became clearer to Simon that Queen Anne and Prince David were just as accustomed to performing these acts of service. And their love for each other was clear. They enjoyed each other and found many small ways through out the evening to communicate their affection and respect. They would serve each other. Queen Anne would rub the King’s shoulders to ease his work soreness. Prince David would move a chair so that his mother could find a spot close to the fire. And the King would get up to get more tea when the cups were empty. The acts of kindness continued through the evening.
As the evening grew late, Simon began to excuse himself to leave, but was prevented from doing so as all three royal family members assured him that he was to sleep there in the palace that night. He was showed to a bedroom where he immediately fell asleep and woke in the morning to smells of coffee and bread.
When he had eaten and dressed, David came to the room and walked with him down the corridor toward the front entrance of the palace. Simon had much he wanted to know but was finding it hard to put his questions into words.
They stopped at the entrance. “How is it, that…that…well, that you do what you do?” asked Simon. “That we do what?” said David. “Well, how is it that you do so many things for people. You, and the King and Queen Anne, you go out and do things for people. And they don’t know it! They don’t know who you are!” “Yes, that’s true,” answered David, “But they do appreciate what we do. The widow yesterday was very grateful to Father for her new step.” “Yes! I’m sure she was, but she didn’t know it was him, did she?” “I don’t know.” And Simon could tell that David wasn’t really concerned.
“Please, my Lord,” Simon continued, “Forgive my questions, but I must ask…Why do you do this? Why do you and the king and the queen…why do you…you don’t have to serve these people…me.” David smiled and looked beyond Simon, forming the picture in his mind. “Have you seen him smile?” he asked. Simon stopped, thought, “you mean the King? Oh yes! He has a beautiful smile!” “That’s it!” David grinned, took Simon by the arm with a firm grip. “To see him smile! I live for that!” David thought some more. “You see we are royal. We are the royal family. Father reminds me of this every day. And we must live our royalty! And do you see what is at the center, at the heart of royalty?”
(to be continued)
