Chapter 94

Count Levein, just in case, shook the envelope again, but nothing came out of it except the letter itself. He had read the short letter twice but could not find any fault with it. He replied to Princess Larissa.

"Is there anything else the prince has done to offend you? The letter itself seems to have no issues at all."

Larissa shouted in frustration.

"The letter lacks sincerity!"

She pointed at the salutation with her finger.

"I clearly sent this letter early in the morning, but it came back to me very late, almost past ten! Look, it says 'morning' instead of 'early morning.'"

"Perhaps he was having breakfast or had other plans in the morning."

The letter did not satisfy her, and Count Levein's lack of support only made her angrier.

"Is food more important than me?!"

Larissa looked ready to throw something. But then, with tears welling up in her eyes, she whispered weakly.

"I didn't even have breakfast, and I was eagerly waiting for the prince's reply..."

Her emotions were unpredictable. Count Levein had heard about the sensitivity and fragility of the second daughter of the Duke of Oud, but no one had mentioned her temper. Before meeting her, he had no idea he was escorting a demon to Etruscan. He tried to calm her down.

"Princess, but Prince Alphonso remembers that you wanted to see the city of Taranto, and he is inviting you out first."

Count Levein searched for positive signs.

"Prince Alphonso must have good feelings for you. Men don't put effort into women they don't care about."

"R-really...?"

Larissa looked up at Count Levein with a tear-stained face. Her long, dough-like face, which seemed to be a mix of the worst traits of Duke Oud and Duchess Bernadette, looked like a suffering horse. Count Levein thought that if it were Princess Susanne, she would be beautiful even when crying, and she wouldn't make such a fuss over a perfectly fine letter.

'Just average, just average...! She doesn't have to be a beauty like her sister, and she doesn't have to be the kindest person in the world! Please, just don't be a complete disaster!'

"But...!"

Princess Larissa wailed again. Count Levein, startled that his thoughts might have shown on his face, focused on her again.

"I wrote just 'Larissa' without any title, but Prince Alphonso called me 'Princess of Valois' and referred to himself as 'Prince Alphonso'!"

She shook the letter roughly.

"It looks like he doesn't even want to get close to me!"

Count Levein tried his best to calm her down.

"You two aren't even engaged yet. He might be cautious about using your name. It's also known that the heir to the Etruscan throne is gentle and careful."

"Is that so?"

"Of course. He's a gentleman. Come, Princess. Wipe your tears and start getting ready. You have to meet the prince this afternoon. Your skin looks so transparent and beautiful today; if you cry more, your face will swell."

Hearing this, Larissa was startled and wiped her tears. Count Levein sighed in relief. Phew, it's over.

"Count Levein, this can't go on. We need to do something to catch the prince's attention."

Thinking it was over, Count Levein was called back by Larissa, who sat him down and whispered her plan in his ear. Count Levein was very surprised by her outrageous idea.

"Really? Will that... really work?"

He understood why she would give such an order, but as a man, he was certain it wouldn't achieve her goal.

"Then, are you telling me to do nothing and just sit here?!"

Tears were welling up in Princess Larissa's eyes again, and she looked ready to explode. Count Levein decided to grant her wish before things got out of hand. It might not work, but it wouldn't cause significant harm. There could be negative effects, but...

'Well, it's not like it will cause a disaster.'

This was a matter between countries, and the final decision would be made by Leo III and Philippe IV. Even if Prince Alphonso lost interest in Princess Larissa, it was unlikely to significantly impact the negotiations.

"I'll prepare as you ordered."

In any case, Count Levein's main concern was Princess Larissa, not Prince Alphonso. * * *

Larissa greeted Prince Alphonso with a radiant appearance, as if she had never cried that morning. Rose tinted her white skin, making her look vibrant.

"Prince! You came to pick me up."

"Of course."

Alphonso maintained a polite and composed demeanor. Since arriving at the winter palace in Taranto, most of his schedule had been escorting Princess Larissa. He had official duties, but he usually accompanied her on royal family events. As a result, he spent most of his day with her, except for his lessons and personal exercise time.

Most boys her age would have run away by now, but he silently fulfilled his duty.

"What did you do this morning?"

Larissa probed, wanting to know why his reply was late.

"This morning, I practiced javelin throwing."

Larissa smiled. Of course, Prince Alphonso wouldn't delay his reply for any other reason. But then, didn't he know the letter would come in the morning? Shouldn't he have checked the letter and replied before exercising? She would have done that. Disappointment grew. Larissa couldn't hide her expression as she looked up at Alphonso. Alphonso, unaware of her thoughts, met her gaze. When their eyes met, a faint smile appeared on his handsome face.

'He's smiling at me!'

A tingling sensation ran down Larissa's spine. It felt like a small firework exploding in her head.

'He loves me too!'

All her disappointment vanished the moment she saw Alphonso's face. This was enough. A single smile from the prince made Larissa the happiest woman in the world.

While Larissa was oscillating between heaven and hell, their carriage headed to the city of Taranto. The winter palace and the city were very close, so the ride was short. Larissa was dressed in a pink silk dress, which she would have worn in Montpellier only in autumn. When the carriage stopped, she gracefully stepped out, escorted by Prince Alphonso.

Suddenly, a man approached with a large bouquet of flowers, matching the color of Larissa's dress.

"This bouquet is sent anonymously by someone who admires you, Princess! Please accept it!"

"Oh my!"

Larissa blushed and eagerly took the bouquet.

"Thank you, whoever it is! I can't accept your feelings, but the flowers are beautiful."

She was so absorbed in her popularity that she didn't notice Alphonso's displeased expression.

"I've delivered the message!"

The man, worried that Larissa might return the flowers, quickly handed them over and left the square.

"Wow, how did they know I would be in Taranto today...? They must really like me."

"Indeed."

Alphonso's response was unusually cynical for the usually gentle prince.

"The schedule was only decided this morning, and only you and my subordinates knew. How did they send the bouquet?"

"It's me!"

Jealous? You should be! Larissa's eyes sparkled with anticipation as she looked at Alphonso.

Alphonso barely restrained the urge to massage his temples. The princess was either extremely arrogant and thought everyone was stupid, or she was so naive that she didn't realize others had common sense.

The man had delivered the message in Etruscan, and the princess, who was not fluent in Etruscan, understood it perfectly as "a bouquet from an admirer."

The unknown schedule, the perfect match, and her ability to understand a foreign language so well—it was obvious she had sent the bouquet to herself.

'She lacks that much confidence.'

Alphonso sighed involuntarily. The deep pink petals of the large bouquet in Larissa's arms gradually turned white at the base and then dark green at the ends.

The green stems, the dark green leaves, the green eyes. The sparkling green eyes. His Ariadne.

Alphonso rubbed his face, a gesture of wanting to drop everything and run away.

* * *

After the troublemakers left for Taranto, the de Mare mansion in San Carlo enjoyed a relatively peaceful time. Isabella, released from her confinement, was very cautious around Cardinal de Mare. She stayed in her room to avoid him when he was home. Lucrezia, who had no money left after funding her son, also stayed home, drinking instead of shopping. Lucrezia and Isabella spent their days complaining about others and planning the future, living in a half-existence.

In contrast, Ariadne and Arabella had a very pleasant daily life. Arabella, enjoying the peace, wanted more.

"Ari!"

"What is it, Arabella?"

"It's already the first day of February. Has the music conservatory said anything about my admission?"

Arabella was eagerly waiting for the admission notice from the music conservatory.

"Isn't it about time for the results to arrive?"

"Ari, listen..."

Arabella dragged her feet, hesitant to ask. Ariadne, amused by her sister's shyness, smiled and preemptively offered to help.

"I'll ask the music nun at the cathedral about the Padua conservatory's admission process."

"Really?"

Arabella's face lit up. Ariadne kissed her forehead.

"Of course. By the way, Father is going to the cathedral today to deliver the pay for the staff. I'll take the money and check if the nun is there. How does that sound?"

Arabella's face brightened even more, expecting a long process of writing letters and waiting for replies.

"Great!"

"Then I'll go now. Be good while I'm gone."

Ariadne instructed Sanza to prepare the cardinal's silver carriage, put on her coat, and playfully winked at Arabella.

"But how long are you going to call me 'Ari'?"

"What?"

Arabella's face turned red.

"You're so disrespectful, you know? I helped with your application, and now I'm checking the results, and you keep calling me by my name?"

Ariadne's words were all true, leaving Arabella speechless.

"I don't know! Ari is mean! Go now!"

Arabella pushed Ariadne out the door, her face still red. Ariadne, no longer teasing her, got into the carriage with a smile.

"Be careful!"

Arabella waved goodbye. Ariadne waved back.

'When the admission notice from the Padua conservatory arrives...'

Arabella's face turned red.

'I'll call her 'sister'.'

She deserved it. Arabella wanted to show her gratitude. A gift would be appropriate, but the problem was what to give.

Money was all Ariadne's. Arabella only had pocket money, which was a pittance compared to the grand gifts Ariadne received from her friends.

Then, a silver piece flashed in Arabella's mind.

'An iron latch!'

Ariadne loved thinking about strange objects and often sent Sanza to the workshop to have them made. The objects she created were always useful or trendy.

The more unique and similar to what she wanted, the more she would like it. The iron latch fit all the criteria. Arabella had seen one exactly like it before.

'It was Isabella's.'

A smile spread across Arabella's face. It was the perfect time to explore, as both the cardinal and Ariadne were out, and Isabella was in her room.

"Today, I'll do it."

Arabella decided to make her February 1st plan an 'exploration game.'