“I sure hope so, if my research doesn’t interfere. I’ll look forward to having a dance with you, my dear,” Celino said, kissing her hand.
“Thanks again, Celino. We’ll be back again soon,” Arrie said.
CHAPTER 23
RESIGNATION
ARRIE AND MARISA HURRIED up toward the castle just as it was beginning to pour. The heavy rain soaked through their clothes within a couple of minutes. Laughing, they ran into the Green Room and stood with their backs to the fire.
“That was an interesting morning,” Marisa said. She removed her cape, hung it over a chair next to the fire. “Thanks for taking me.”
“You’re welcome. Celino is quite an intriguing man. One of these days, we’ll go back for another visit and he can tell you one of his crazy adventures.”
“Arrie, can you please find out if anyone has found my ring?” she asked. “Every time I think about it, I get sick to my stomach.”
“Yes, I will,” Arrie promised. He removed his cloak and shook his wet hair like a dog. Marisa laughed at him as she wrung her hair out on the marble floor.
All of a sudden, Tino burst into the room.
“Ah, Lord Arrigo, there you are. I’ve been searching all over the palace for you for the past hour. Please forgive my intrusion, milady, but I must speak with Lord Arrigo immediately.”
“Of course,” she said with a nod. Marisa watched curiously as they whispered in the corner. Tino said something she couldn’t hear and Arrie nodded with a grim look on his face. Tino left the room and hurried down the corridor.
“What’s going on?”
“Bad news, I’m afraid. Tino has just informed me that Gregario passed on this morning.”
“Savino’s father?”
Arrie nodded. “This is the news we’ve been dreading, though none of us expected it to happen so soon. I must go to Darian right away. Will you please forgive me?”
“Yes of course—go, go.”
Arrie rushed out of the room.
Marisa went upstairs to change her clothes. She opened the door and was surprised to see her nearly finished ball gown hanging from a wooden peg.
Anna curtseyed. “There you are, milady. Your dress is almost completed, but we need a final fitting. I will go fetch Leonora. Would you please be so kind as to put it on?” she asked.
As the young woman ran off, Marisa moved closer to examine the dress. The fabric had an almost reflective sheen on its surface and the intricate beadwork curled and twisted across the bodice. She ran her fingers ran along the small, ivory pearls sewn onto the edges of the neck, shoulders and sleeves. The gown was a work of art.
She slipped off her clothes and lifted the purple, ivory, and lavender gown over her head just as Anna returned with Leonora. After Anna had fastened the dress in back, Leonora carefully took in small folds of fabric, sticking pins around the waist and bust area.
The gown was hemmed to the perfect length, and Leonora made sure the sleeves flared out from the elbow at exactly the right length. Finally Leonora nodded in approval, apparently satisfied that everything was correct. Marisa removed the dress and handed it to Leonora who scurried off to complete her work.
Marisa’s thoughts turned to Savino. Wondering if he even knew that his father was dead, she quickly did the math in her head. It had taken them three days to travel back to Crocetta from Abbadon. If Savino had left for Crocetta two days ago, there was no way he could know about Gregario’s death yet.
Both Arrie and Darian had said it would be disastrous if Savino became king. She thought about her own unique position in the country’s politics. The fact that Savino’s father was now dead had undoubtedly kicked things up a notch or two. It was highly likely that she would be forced to decide much sooner on whether to marry him.
Marriage?
How could she even consider it? She was only eighteen and not ready for that kind of commitment. She hadn’t even dated that much, but in this strange world, people were engaged from birth.
Could she marry Savino to save the land from war? And how was it possible that the fate of an entire country could rest on whether an eighteen-year-old girl would accept an ordinary marriage proposal?
It blew her mind.
Savino, Lady Matilda, Talvan, and his entourage of thirty-something warriors were less than a day from Crocetta when they were met by a royal courier sent to convey the sad news of Count Gregario’s death.
Raising his sword victoriously, Savino shouted, “Hail the new king of Crocetta! You shall be witnesses at my coronation in less than a fortnight! The king is dead! Hail to your king!”
“Hail, King Savino! The king is dead! Long live the king,” the men shouted in unison.
“Show you no remorse for our father’s death, Savino?” Matilda asked, tears in her bright blue eyes. “Have you forgotten about Prince Darian? It’s still possible that he shall ascend the throne instead of you.”
“The only way for that coward to ascend the throne, dear sister, would be if, by some miracle, you should agree to marry him,” Savino replied with a wicked smile.
He turned to the royal courier and motioned to dismiss him.
“Go back and report to Prince Darian. He is commanded to prepare for the king’s arrival in Crocetta tomorrow. Tell him that I am coming to claim my throne.”
“Will Prince Darian be joining us for dinner?” Marisa asked as Adalina sat down at the table. The rest of the royal family had not yet arrived.
“I’m afraid not, Lady Marisa. The Crimson Court called another emergency meeting this morning, and they’ve been in session all day. There are many preparations for the funeral tomorrow. I have not seen my brother all day.”
“So it’s true then? The funeral will be tomorrow?”
“Yes, but don’t worry,” Adalina said. “It shall not affect your birthday ball. We’re all looking forward to the masquerade the day after tomorrow.”
Marisa looked at her sheepishly. “I actually wouldn’t mind if the ball were cancelled altogether. You all seem to have a lot more important stuff going on at the moment anyway.”
Adalina looked horrified. “Nonsense, Lady Marisa! Everyone has been looking forward to the ball, especially Darian. I happen to know that he plans to make an announcement.”
“What sort of announcement?” Marisa asked casually.
“He hasn’t said exactly,” Adalina said, her voice chiming like a bell, “but he is insisting that Matilda and Savino both be present.” She leaned in close. “Just between you and me, I think my brother is secretly engaged, and he’s going to announce it.”
Marisa coughed. “What? Engaged to whom?”
“Who do you think?”
Marisa nodded but said nothing. Darian’s family must have been thrilled with the news of his engagement. Arrie, Helena, and Cinzia all sat down at the table and began to chat politely over dinner.
She stared blankly at her plate and thought about her promise to attend the ball as a last favor. It would be a relief to finally escape the drama and go live at Castle Beauriél.
Marisa placed her napkin on the table and stood up. “I’m going to take a walk around the palace,” she said.
Arrie cocked his head at her. “Are you all right, Marisa?”
“I’m okay. Meet you down in the Green Room in a little while?”
“Certainly,” he said. “Don’t get lost.”
She smiled faintly. “I’ll try not to.”
As she wandered the empty corridors of the palace, it seemed to be deserted. The only sound was the hollow click-clack of her shoes as she walked across the marble floors. Gazing up at the high, vaulted ceilings, she shook her head, unable to fathom how people could live in such an enormous place.
She studied the paintings along the walls and marveled at the painstaking details worked into each one. The time and attention the artists had spent creating just the right amount of light bouncing off the objects was incredible. The royal portraits appeared especially lifelike.
As the stoic figures of the royals gazed down at Marisa in their full regalia from their lofty realm upon the wall, they seemed to wonder what she was doing there among the country’s elite.
“I’m just a common girl from a faraway place, with no idea what I’m doing here,” she said out loud.
She entered a cozy room with a fire burning in the fireplace and immediately noticed a small piano in the corner. She sat down on the bench and began to play a song she hadn’t sung in years.
As the notes flowed through her fingertips to the keys, she sang in the most beautiful voice she had, her heart exploding with both joy and sorrow at the same time.
Startled by a large silhouette in the doorway, she stopped. When she realized it was Darian, her heart beat quickened. She dotted her eyes with a handkerchief.
“Good evening, milady” he said softly, easing his muscular frame into a chair. “You are very talented, you know.”
“You startled me. I thought I was alone.”
“I apologize if I frightened you. I found the others in the Green Room, and they said you were out somewhere roaming the castle. Then I heard the music, and thought I’d come down to listen.”
“Oh.”
Awkward silence.
“I guess you’ve been pretty busy with important stuff lately, huh?” she asked.
“Yes, there’s much to be done with both a funeral and a ball taking place within twenty-four hours of each other,” he said, rubbing his temple. His face was pale from exhaustion, and he looked as if he hadn’t slept in days.
“Are you feeling okay?” she asked.
“I’m just a bit tired.” He looked up at her. “Arrie said he took you to the city to visit Celino today. What did you think of that?”
“I had fun. I enjoyed looking in the beautiful shops, having a caramel apple, and sipping tea with Celino.”
Darian smiled faintly. “I wish I could have been there. I would have enjoyed watching you discover our city.”
“Does Savino know his father is dead?”
He sighed. “After Gregario had passed, we dispatched a messenger to intercept Savino’s company on its way here for the ball. We’re assuming the courier has reached them by now and are expecting Savino’s attendance at the funeral tomorrow.”
“And Lady Matilda?”
He avoided her eyes. “She is traveling with Savino as we speak.”
“Your Highness,” she began, “I would understand completely if you decided to cancel the ball.”
He cocked his head at her. “Why would I do that, Marisa?”
“Well, I’m no expert when it comes to royal etiquette, but doesn’t it seem sorta out of place?”
Darian looked at her questioningly.
“I mean, since Gregario is being buried tomorrow and all? Shouldn’t there be a period of mourning or something?”
“If there is anything this country desperately needs right now, it’s a reason to celebrate,” he said. “There will be plenty of time for mourning tomorrow. And unless I am completely mistaken, the man closest to Gregario will not shed even a single tear for his own father. No, we are not cancelling the ball.”
Marisa said nothing as she stood and moved toward the fireplace.
Darian let out a deep sigh as he rose from his chair. “I’m sorry. That was perhaps unfair of me.”
“No, he’s your cousin. You know him better than me.”
He brightened. “You do know that your birthday ball is being billed as the social event of the year, don’t you?”
“Actually, I didn’t.” She smiled faintly. “I guess life in Crocetta must be pretty dull if the most thrilling thing around here is to come and meet someone like me.”
“Your reputation has already surpassed you, milady. Every nobleman from here to Terracina is eager to cast his eye on the mysterious young woman the royal family has taken under its wing.”
“How does everyone know me already?” she asked. “I’ve only been here a few days.”
“Well, apparently you made quite an impression on Lord Domenico...” he teased.
“Ah, Lord Domenico.”
“Yes. He is a man of refined tastes and is not easily impressed. Any time a woman earns his favor enough to be mentioned, it’s usually enough to arouse the interest of half the kingdom. The male half.” He chuckled.
Marisa smiled. “Listen, Darian,” she began. “I know I owe both you and Arrie a lot for all you’ve done for me, but I also realize you’ve got a full plate right now. You need to be concentrating on running the country, not entertaining me like I’m here on some kind of vacation or something. I don’t want you to worry about me anymore.”
“What are you saying?”
“Only that I think your time is better spent elsewhere.”
Silence.
“Elsewhere? Marisa, I don’t understand what you mean.”
She swallowed hard. “On the night we first met, Arrie told me that I was a ‘distraction’ you couldn’t afford to have. Although I was a bit offended when he said it, now I’m beginning to realize just how right he was.”
He stared at her in disbelief. “You make it sound like I’m all work and no play. Marisa, whatever you think of me, please remember that underneath all the fancy titles, I’m just a man. I have my own dreams and desires like everyone else.”
So he only considers me a bit of play before settling down with Matilda? Suddenly, Marisa’s mind was made up.
“Your Highness, I need to tell you something.”
“What is it?”
“I have decided to accept Savino’s marriage proposal.”
Darian blinked. “Are you absolutely certain?”
“Yes. I’ve been thinking about it a lot over the past few days, and it’s my final decision. I just thought you should know.”
“I see. When are you planning to tell him?”
She shrugged her shoulders.
“Are you in love with him?”
Marisa stared at him in shock. She had no answer.
Darian’s face was flushed. “I—I,” he stammered, “That’s none of my business.”
She shrugged and looked away.
“Milady, I am truly sorry for all you’ve endured in recent days. None of us planned things this way, least of all me. I wish the circumstances had been different for all of us.”
A tear rolled down her cheek. “You don’t have to apologize for anything—I’m the party crasher here. But don’t worry, after the ball you won’t be seeing me again.”
He grabbed her by the shoulders, forced her to look him in the eye. “You are not a party crasher, whatever that means. Don’t you understand that you’ve managed to turn everything upside-down just by coming here?”
She looked at him sadly. “I didn’t mean to.”
“I know you didn’t. But make sure you are making the right decision for you.”
“Marrying Savino is my decision,” she said firmly.
Darian said nothing for a moment as he studied her face. He moved in close to her but when she realized he was going to kiss her, she pulled back suddenly.
“Your Highness, would you please tell the others that I’m not feeling well? I just want to go back and go to bed.”
He nodded and turned to escort her to her room.
“I’ll say goodnight here,” she said quickly. “I’d rather walk alone if you don’t mind.”
“As you wish,” he whispered.
As Marisa hurried away through the deserted palace corridors in the direction of the main staircase, the only sound she heard was that of her heels clacking across the marble floor. And in her haste to get away, she never even noticed the tears in Darian’s eyes as he watched her go.
CHAPTER 24
GLIMPSES
MARISA LIFTED HER SKIRTS and descended the stairs for breakfast in her all-black mourning gown. An army of palace servants rushed up and down the corridors in the middle of their various tasks, all of them making sure the funeral preparations
were completed by two o’clock that afternoon.
She sat at the nearly-empty table in the dining hall and smiled at Adalina, who was quietly eating her breakfast. Darian’s sister looked beautiful in black as it complemented her dark hair and fair skin.
“Did you sleep well, Lady Marisa?”
“Yeah, thanks.”
“We grew concerned last night when you didn’t join us. Later my brother told us that you weren’t feeling well. Are you feeling a little better this morning?”
“I’m fine, Your Highness, thanks. Where is everyone anyway?”
“Preparing for the funeral. My brother slept only a few hours last night. The Crimson Court convened until four o’clock this morning.”
Marisa eyed her curiously. “Adalina, how old are you?”
“I turn sixteen in a few months, milady.”
“You’re almost the same age as my brother Mark.”
“I wish I could meet your brother,” Adalina said. “What a shame he won’t be at the ball.”
“Yeah, I’ll miss him. He’s always the life of the party.”
“Darian says he’s planning to throw a ball for my sixteenth birthday and invite all the eligible men in the land.”
“Your brother’s a generous man.”
“I’m so lucky to have him. Since our father died six years ago, he has sacrificed a lot for my mother and me. He even postponed marriage for our sakes.”
Marisa look at her, stunned. “He postponed marriage?”
“Yes. He didn’t feel right about getting married and ascending the throne. He thought he wouldn’t be able to take care of us and he refused the throne when Queen Sophie died. He could have married Lady Matilda then and been ruling as king today.”
“Prince Darian refused the throne?” she echoed. “But he told me he wasn’t old enough to become king. That’s the whole reason why Count Gregario had to step in.”
Adalina shook her head. “No, he only told you part of the story. Darian was seventeen when Queen Sophie died. The Crimson Court voted to confirm him as prince regent until he could assume the throne on his eighteenth birthday.
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