Selena snickered. “It sounds like gibberish, I love it. It’s one of my favorite languages, I speak Irish around people and they look at me like I’m having a stroke or something.” She nodded a little. “I’ll let him know, though she’s pretty good with the English already. Sometimes she forgets a word that like you don’t speak often, but she can have conversations in English just as easily as Italian. Way better than I was at that age. I think you’ll like Tristan. We didn’t know he even existed until I was in my teens, our mothers fell out when my dad chose my mom over his. But since we’ve made contact we’ve grown really close, he feels like another big brother, or what a big brother would be like if poor Tony hadn’t had to raise me. Tristan’s also our vet, he’s one that takes care of all the family’s animals, even our horses. And all of these little guys.” She looked down at the dozing kitty in her lap. Selena was trying not to think about the future very much. Well she was, she had to as the queen of a small country, but she was trying not to think about them in the future. Selena knew the chances of them falling in love were microscopic, but she also knew that having affairs, even if they themselves didn’t mind, would be bad. She had a panic attack every time she thought about the fact that she may never know what love really felt like, not romantically. She didn’t blame him though, it wasn’t his fault after all. She giggled and nodded. “Oh yes, we live in the age of social media, and the hot new king has been the trending topic here since our engagement was announced. You’re like Italy’s Prince William or something!” She shrugged a little. “Just be glad it’s mostly nice things. A lot of people aren’t happy that the ‘party girl’ sister became queen. Most people think I can’t pull this off. I think that’s part of why people were looking at you so hard, wanting to see if you’ll pick up the slack or something.” She spoke as if it didn’t bother her much what people said, she knew even he had thought the rumors might be true. But it was clear in those big brown eyes that not having the people’s faith really hurt her. She so desperately wanted to do her parents justice, but she was coming into this with so much to prove already. She smiled and nodded. “I know you did, star of your team.” She shrugged. “I researched you. Had to make sure I got someone good.” It was so strange to say, but since it really was a political thing, an almost business deal more than a marriage, it made sense to make sure she’d chosen the right partner. It was the 21st century, they could always divorce, but that was still frowned upon for royals. She smiled. “I go there every June. I don’t like being in the castle on the anniversary of my parents death, so I go to the vacation home. It was always the place we were happiest, there was no meetings or public viewings, we could just be a family.” She looked down at her mug, going quiet for a moment before looking back up at him. “You’ll like it out there, it’s in the countryside and there’s animals and all you can hear is the wind and the birds. I can take you horseback riding down all my favorite trails, show you the little secret hiding spots of my childhood. Wait, do you ride horses? Oh please don’t say you’re scared of horses, Tony is and he only went near them for official things, but I love it, and I really want you to be able to do it with me.”
Listening to her speak, Matt’s smile remained on his face. She was so much more interesting and intelligent than people gave her credit for. It saddened him to think that so many were so jaded on their opinion of who she was. Was it simply because she was a princess that enjoyed herself or did it have to do with her being a woman? Matt didn’t think either explanation made sense or was fair. He just hoped he could somehow assist her in changing the people’s minds. Nodding, she ran his fingers through his hair as his opposite hand lightly tapped on the glass of the mug in front of him.
“I’d love to see it. And no, I’m not afraid of horses. I’m not the greatest rider. But, I’ve done it a few times. I’d be honored if you’d help me get better, though.” He leaned in a bit, clearing his throat. It was getting late and he was sure they both needed to get their rest. But, he didn’t want to stop talking to this girl. Glancing into the now empty living space that held a beautiful fire within a very lavish fireplace, an idea emerged in his head. “This is going to sound crazy...” He smirked, looking back at her. “But.. we didn’t get a first dance today.” He stood off the bar stool and offered his hand. “May I?”
