I sat silently in the leather interior limousine. The unfolding ocean landscape beyond the tinted window, failing to relax me as was it's wont. I couldn't get my mind off the recent happenings of the council meeting. The butterflies in my stomach had multiplied ten fold in the span of thirty minutes.

In the past, leading people to a false belief would have been a walk in the park. My edgy nerves either meant that Ryan and Halima's faith was starting to rub off on me or the sparkle in Mario's eyes held more meaning than his lips let on. What bothered me more was the fact that his antics had impressed my mother even more. The same woman who preached honesty all her life. Well, maybe honesty got shoved aside whenever someone threatened to dethrone you.

"Hey, are you okay," asked Mario who was sitting only a few inches away, pulling me out of my muse.

"I thought we were going to your house?"

"Yes, my family home in Kitusburge. That's why we are headed to the airport."

"Oh, I thought we were going to the townhouse here in Maine...I have never been to your home in Kitusburge."

"I know, you were always conveniently busy every time mum would throw one of her parties." A ramble if laughter escaped his lungs. "Made a guy feel unattractive..."

"Uhm," I turned to behold the mesmerizing grin adorned on his countenance.

"Relax Principessa. I know you were under a lot of pressure to choose a husband and all nobility were shoving their sons in your face. I'd have pulled the disappearance acts too if I were you."

"Sorry, it was too much at the time."

"I get it. But I'm glad I was right about you."

"How so?"

"Well, growing up I'd watch you from afar. First, your beauty set you apart, second your title didn't define you. You seemed to do whatever you pleased, whenever. You hardly attended any social gatherings unless absolutely necessary. Your speech last year in the summit blew my mind, your plans for this country...you are certainly the Queen we need. Your choosing me during that ambush council meeting proved my theory about you..." He said sending my mind back to the fateful council meeting...

The council meeting was in full gear, sitting dukes and their immediate heirs all in agreement. The motion on the table; the princess's requirement to be married by the time she ascended the throne. She had managed to keep them at bay since Joe's disappearance but she had officially run out of time.

Now, she had been summoned to the meeting and told to choose, after all, the most eligible bachelors in Garviland were in the room. The king gave her an apologetic look but didn't come to her rescue. She sighed, knowing she had no choice in the matter anymore. A quick sweep in the room revealed several truths. The candidates sat in the cushy seats lining the walls, each directly behind his sitting father. They all looked at her expectantly, each putting on their best poker face. Her eyes landed on the Kitusburge appointed heir's vacant seat. Looking at the Duke's table, she remembered why it was vacant. Mario was no longer the heir apparent but was now the Duke after the recent demise of his parents. Her eyes lingered on him a minute longer, he seemed uninterested in the proceedings, in fact, he was more interested in the tablet in front of him. He lifted his gaze for a split second, smiled at her then continued scrolling the contents of his screen.

She had spent time with each of her other suitors, except him. All the others made a point of showering her with gifts and compliments at every turn. Mario remained in the shadows, the only thing he sent her way was that mesmerizing smile every time their eyes locked.

"So, what's your choice?" Asked an eager voice from the table.

"Mario!" She had said. A collective gasp following her declaration. All present were certainly aware of how little effort The Duke of Kitusburge had put in. They obviously hadn't seen him as a threat. The surprised look shared by all filled her with triumph. They had backed her to a corner but she had still managed to pull the rug from under them. The gentle smile she had come to associate with the chosen Duke now transformed to a triumphant smirk. "May I be excused," she asked the King who promptly dismissed her.

I sat staring at the man in front of me as the events if that council meeting replayed themselves in my mind. "What do you mean, your theory about me?" I asked finally as his words registered.

"I mean, you are averse to all forms of attention, you run in the opposite direction each time."

"So, your disinterest in me was some sort of reverse psychology thing?" I unintentionally raised my voice.

A quick flash of conflicted emotion crossed his eyes. They darkened infinitesimally. "No!"
He reached out to hold my hand. "I liked you for a long time but after you ignored all the parties mom threw so she could get us to meet, I realized there was nothing one would do to win you over. It had to come from you so I decided to leave you be. That's why I never made any effort." He squeezed my hand gently.

His confession had increased the sense of foreboding that had been nagging at me. So he was interested, after all, his approach was different and...bold. The sincerity in his eyes, however, washed away the worry. His interest so far seemed genuine, he had been doing everything to protect me. His pregnancy lie, as twisted as it was, served to shut the naysayers. I squeezed his hand reassuringly before I knew it, I was enveloped in a warm hug.

******

Mario's country home was anything but! The Morettis had spared no expense in building the modern home. Having lived in an ancient palace all my life, modern architecture was something I found myself attracted to. I walked a few paces behind him, taking in the white structure.

"Welcome to my home, well, I guess it's your home now too." He said holding the front door open for me.

"It's beautiful." I walked in eyes taking in the intricately designed winding staircase. The simple wall art decorations, the scarcely furnished rooms. "How often do you visit?" I turned to find him watching me.

"At first, I would come out here every day, but recently I come once a week. There's a woman who comes to clean regularly." He moved closer, stopping a few breaths from me, "and I have another woman who keeps me grounded in Maine." He leaned in, encasing me with his cologne. All my logic flying out the window, I closed my eyes, his scent rooting me in place before his lips could touch mine however, there was a loud crash behind us. We turned to see a young lady in a blue nurse's costume standing in the doorway, a tray of medical supplies sprawled all over the floor. She stood gaping at us, her green eyes, horrified at our very presence.

"Mariana!" Said Mario, "what are you still doing here?"

"Uhm, your Grace. I'm sorry, I didn't know you were coming now." She said, bending to pick her things.

"We came early, is everything ready?"

"Yes, your Grace." She said and was on her feet in an instant. "I will leave you now." With that, she disappeared through a side door.

"Uhm, who was that?"

"The lady I was telling you about."

"You told me she was a cleaner, why was she dressed like a nurse?"

"She's a nurse by profession, she's probably on her way to work." He waved a hand then sneaking his other around my waist pulled me closer, "so where were we?"

*******

The kiss I'd shared with Mario only a few minutes ago, was...different. He had the full package, looks, charms, status. He was easily every woman's dream but the kiss hadn't matched any of my expectations. It had only served as a reminder of the best kiss I'd ever had. I found myself thinking back to a tall handsome gentleman whose lips wielded mighty power over me. Joe, his title as the love of my life, was undoubtedly secure if I still had him in mind, whilst in the arms of a statuesque Italian alpha male.

Mario pulled all the stops impressing me with his culinary skills. He served his Italian meals by the beautiful pool.