Song for the Chapter: "Goodbye Fear" (Paraphrased), by Francesca Battistelli

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1 "LORD, how are they increased that trouble me! Many are they that rise up against me.

2 Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah."

—Psalm 3:1-2 KJV

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"So that plan failed, you claim?" Giuseppe questioned the maid in front of him.

He was glad to have planted her at just the right spot. But, the news he received from her was not exactly to his liking as he sat in his office.

If tarnishing her image could not bring her down, what else could? He mulled over it as he drew circles with his pen on a sheet of paper on his desk.

What could break her will and that strong heart she seems to possess?

"Are you sure the Principi would be attending the party tonight?" He finally asked, an idea blooming.

"Yes, capo(boss). I saw it listed in his schedule."

"Good."

"Now, follow these instructions carefully to the letter..."

It was time for strike two.

~~~

Violet could not have felt lighter. What had been meant for her destruction had been turned around for her good.

Well, not only her good, but Alessandro's most especially. For seeing him give his life to CHRIST, gave her a kind of joy that she thought could relate to that of the Angels in HEAVEN—when a soul is won for their SAVIOUR.

Presently, she was busily washing dishes for the Church Mission Alex had invited her to.

Humming as she went along, she heard her phone beep.

Wiping her hands on her apron, she reached into its pocket and retrieved her phone.

She knew the word would spread like wildfire and thought she was prepared to face Isabella when it finally reached her.

But, she was wrong. The text message was blunt and to the point, uncharacteristic of her.

Alessandro told me what really happened. How could you keep this from me? 😭😭😭

Oh, dear! Violet facepalmed. FATHER, will I ever get rest?

She could relate with the disappointment Isabella felt and would have reacted the same way if the shoe was on another foot and her brother had done something so heinous.

But, she couldn't curb the fact that her moment of shame—though not fully depicted to all—being exposed still stung. Even though it had led to Alessandro's conversion.

So, Isabella knows the full truth of that day too, she could feel the unshed tears of shame begin to resurface. Oh, that I had wings like a dove...

She felt she could relate to the Author of the Psalm. How she would love to fly away and be at rest.

"Dearly beloved child, your rest is found in ME. Always remember that no matter what you face, MY daughter. I AM your Hiding Place."

Finding solace in the Words of her SAVIOUR, she dried her wet hands on her apron and with the back of her hand, wiped the unwanted tears away.

No, she was not going to give in to the fear of that day any longer, she resolved.

The only thing that matters is what my SAVIOUR thinks of me, she reassured herself. Everything will be fine by HIS GRACE.

She was going to return home and face the situation head-on—with her LORD by her side, of course.

~~~

Vincenzo knew his reputation of being the Icy, unapproachable Prince would get those at the party surprised, to say the least.

But, he had a purpose. He had to attend to meet certain dignitaries to help set the plans for peace Giuseppe had proposed in motion.

He thought of sending Violet a message to let her know she would not have to wait for him to have dinner that evening. But as he was about to take out his phone, Giuseppe interrupted his plans.

"They are ready to meet you," his belying respectful voice cut in.

He thought little of where he was directed to, knowing the meeting was to take place in a private compartment at the party grounds.

"Come on in, Principi."

~~~

On finally reaching home that evening, Violet knew she could not escape having to face Isabella. She had resolved to face it head-on.

And that was what she set to doing as soon as she got in.

Gently tapping on the latter's door, she thought she heard the muffled sound of someone sniffling before a soft, subdued voice said, "Come in, please."

She gently entered and found Isabella sitting at the edge of her bed, a box of tissues on one side of her, and the residue scattered about.

Looking up at Violet through her tear-stained eyes, she quickly ducked her head and looked downwards.

"I don't know if I have the right to face you after what..." her voice broke and she had to collect herself. "After what my brother did."

Violet could feel her pain, despite what she herself was going through.

How can I offer any encouragement when I am a victim myself, FATHER? What do I say?

"Just keep calm and stay with her," she heard HIM whisper.

Violet quietly sat beside her friend and sister-in-law, draping an arm around her shoulders.

"Please FATHER," she silently prayed. "We do not know how to find comfort on our own in this state. But YOU ARE our Comforter. Please, help us find YOUR Peace in a situation as grotesque as this, oh, PRINCE OF PEACE."

"You know one reason why I hate crying?"Isabella sniffled. "You have to blow your nose so much, and there are never enough tissues."

Somehow in her discombobulation, Violet found the strength to laugh at that statement. And it became even more hilarious as Isabella joined in.

Thank YOU, LORD, she whispered within to her HEAVENLY FATHER. YOU know how to step in at the right moment.

With just a simple statement, their grief had somehow found a way to turn to satire.

Not knowing what else to say, it seemed each had in mind to take the same action—to hug each other.

And at that moment, words seemed to be unimportant. Their SAVIOUR had bound their broken hearts with HIS healing balm of Love.

"Would you like to stay over tonight?" Isabella asked, her ever-cheerful voice slowly returning as her head rested on Violet's shoulder. "I know my brother is probably buried in documents somewhere only GOD knows."

Chuckling softly, Violet slowly rose up which inherited a moan of disagreement from Isabella.

"We often have dinner together these days. So I have to..."

"Who? My brother?" Isabella jerked upright, eyes widened in surprise. "You mean Vincenzo Klaus Ferrari?"

Violet was scared her eyes might actually pop out at that rate.

"Yes, one and the same, Mr Icy."

Guffawing with laughter, Isabella rolled on her bed. She was used to Violet's label of her brother—which she also approved of.

They used the term when no one else was around, surely.

"So, when do we get to have a sleepover?" She grew serious. "I have never had one before and wish we could."

The idea resonated well with Violet, whose only companion on their side of the Villa was a man who showed his face only twice a day—and that was not always.

For he sometimes had work to do.

"Maybe we could plan one soon," her eyes sparkled at the idea.

~~~

Finally entering their side of the Villa, Violet felt an uncanny feeling overcoming her.

She just couldn't place it.

As she reached her door, she found an invitation card and read a note at the back of it, which bore a handwriting similar to Vincenzo's.

He was inviting her to a party?

She knew that was uncharacteristic of him.

Well, maybe it's all a part of his recent personality change.

Yet, she could not deny the ominous feeling in the pit of her stomach as she freshened up and changed for the occasion.

~~~

Reaching the location of the party, Violet was greeted by some King Makers she had met before—when her brother was alive.

She made small talk with them until someone told her that Vincenzo required her presence in one of the private rooms.

The feeling she had felt before only heightened as she approached the room.

What is this? Why am I feeling this way, LORD?

But, yet again, her SAVIOUR was silent. With a slight tap at the door, her escort opened it.

And if ever Violet had thought she had faced the fullness of misery, she was proved wrong—once again—with another blow.

For sitting on the lap of the man she called her husband, was a provocatively decked, alluring young woman.

And she greeted Violet with a smirk.

LORD, she thought, the right words to convey how she felt eluding her. I have never been prepared for this.

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Shalom, Shalom, everyone!

I'm so sorry for taking so long to update. The previous chapter was about ready by GOD'S Grace. But, I wanted to finish this part before posting.

I hope we are all well by GOD'S Grace.

That sure was an emotional roller coaster for me. 🥺🥺🥺

I will have to go over these chapters yet again, GOD willing. I am a bit knackered at the moment. 😅

Kindly let me know your thoughts on it by GOD'S Grace.

Love,
Phela 🕊️🩵