HIS MOMENT OUT relishing different aura that italia held was short lived as he was escorted directly to his vehicle, embellished with the royal french seal — and, of course, one could never forget to add the french flag. a sign of chauvinism, perhaps ? or just extreme patriotism, courtesy of his prideful father nonetheless.
THE SECOND HE slid in into the vehicle, he took off his sunglasses and neatly gave it back to alfred for safe keeping. ❝ i must say, those sunnies are really doing a great job at reflecting off the flashes of the cameras. ❞ he chuckled softly, easing himself into the elegant leather upholstery. placing his feet up the opposite end of the seat, while he propped his chin on top of the back of his hand, looking out the window. ❝ how long till we get to italian court, alfred ? ❞ he asked. ❝ not long, your highness, about ten minutes or so. ❞ alfred replied instantly, like he had expected such a question to spill from the blue blood’s lips. ❝ have you prepared all the necessary offerings to be given to the betrothed ? ❞ he asked. maddox had been pondering the night before on what to get a girl who already has everything. even going as far as looking it up on google with alfred till the early morning. though, ultimately ending up with the casual flowers. ❝ do you think i should’ve gotten her a tiara in stead ? what if she’s allergic to flowers ? ❞ he added, before alfred could even answer his first inquiry. alfred took a deep breath and answered. ❝ first of all, yes we have prepared your gifts to the princess, and second, relax. breathe and take a nap, it could calm your nerves. ❞ maybe alfred is right, i just need some rest. but his thoughts wouldn’t let him, despite his efforts to shut his eyes shut.
BEFORE HE KNEW it they have arrived at the palace. ❝ your highness, we have reached our destination. ❞ alfred announced in preparation to opening up the door to his highness, maddox alistair blanchard, crown prince of france. he unbuckled his seat belt, ran his hand through his chocolate hued hair and dusted off his coat, prior to getting out of the vehicle. he was quickly assisted by staff of the court, surrounded by them — swarmed would be a better term. excited to see, for the first time, the fiancé of their beloved princess.
HE WAS BROUGHT up to the main hall, a spacious grandiose room, not exactly the best for a solemn introduction, but it would do. ❝ those are wonderful flowers your highness. ❞ an italian gentleman raised a brow, accompanied by a smile of interest. ❝ thank you ? ❞ maddox said awkwardly. ❝ i - uh, picked them myself. ❞ he added chuckling nervously. his attention was soon captured as he heard the massive doors opening. was this it ?
THE LACK OF ANSWER for her question, while already frustrating in normal circumstances, was downright infuriating now that she could sense something was definitely going on. —with her brows tightly knitted in the middle of her forehead, she raised her hand up and scrubbed the side of her face haphazardly, unaware that she’d managed to spread the paint even further along the cut of her cheekbone.
AS IF TO CONFIRM her initial suspicion, the two lines of guard running down the length of the corridor was the first thing she was met with upon entering the hall —something entirely out of ordinary, especially considering that there was no plan to receive formal or royal visitors, or at least as far as she was aware. orabella came to stop right in front of the door with a small huff of breath, her eyes moving up to look at the man who led her security detail in hope to find some answers or explanations. ❝ i don’t suppose you could tell me who i’m about to see behind that door, do you ? ❞ —and once again, her question was answered by an absolutely nothing. not even a nod, or a shake of the head. defeated, she let out another exasperated sigh and signaled him for the door.
SHE COULD SWEAR she saw the corner of his mouth twitch up for a brief moment, before he turned around to push the door open. a beat of silence—and her name was then announced to whoever was waiting in the room. ❝ her royal highness princess orabella medici of italia. ❞ falling into her instinct, something she was trained and had grown accustomed to, orabella walked through the door with her shoulders pulled back, posture perfect as if she was wearing an invisible crown on top of her head.
YEARS AND YEARS of public appearances, if anything, had resulted in her not being affected by the ways all eyes were trained on her as soon as she was in their line of sight. a gentle smile was automatically placed on her lips, a practiced perfection and balance of sweet and welcoming. ❝ benvenuto, i hope you had a pleasa— ❞ her speech was cut short upon noticing a familiar face—a familiar stranger. it didn’t take her long to realized just where she’d seen this face before. even though she’d never put any attention into looking at his pictures, she must admit that his face had made quite an impression, much to her dismay. the smile fell away from her lips, abrupt and entirely not in a diplomatic way, as she whirled her head around to glare at the lady who brought her here. ❝ what is he doing here ? ❞
