Arranged: A Future Decided

Secrets

November 22nd, Pulchritudo, Italy

Nikolai looked out the window as they sailed over the Bay of Naples, coming in for a gentle landing in the water. He hadn't done much traveling by seaplane, but from what Eva had told him, the seaplane was the way to get around the Mediterranean and Adriatic.  Eva smiled, unbuckling herself and opening one of the side doors. She stepped out onto the wing, waving at the people in the boats around them. 

"Is this safe? Like, can it hold our weight?" Nikolai asked, standing in the doorway and looking at the wing.

"Of course it can. It has to be able to hold a lot of weight," Eva told him with a chuckle, watching as they were maneuvered into one of the docks at Pulchritudo. 

"Eva!" Yelled a familiar voice from the shore, waving his arms.

"Ricci! How good to see you," Eva said with a smile, hopping onto the beach when they got close, "And you've grown! Damn boy."

Ricci chuckled, hugging his sister, "Yes, and I will soon be taller than you!" 

"Yeah, no, we'll see about that," Eva said with a smile as Nikolai stepped onto the beach.

He looked around, taking in the sights. It was serene, looking like it belonged on a postcard or a painting. The waves gently lapped at the sand, which was so incredibly soft. 

"Come," Eva said to Nikolai, walking towards a tall staircase that led up the cliffside. 

They started up the wooden steps, making their way to the top. From up there, the view was even more amazing. The sea stretched out forever, boats dotting the landscape. It took Nikolai's breath away.

"It's beautiful," he murmured, finally understanding why she was so homesick; nobody would want to leave this. 

"I know," Eva replied nonchalantly as she headed towards the massive castle.

Nikolai finally turned to look at the massive building. He wasn't quite sure if he should call it a villa or a castle, given that there were quite many additions that had been added through the centuries. He followed her along the path, letting her guide him inside. He sighed with relief at the cool air from being inside. 

"Follow close behind me, it's easy to get lost, and not all of the castle has electricity," Eva stated, going over to a shelf and picking up an electric lantern, turning it on before opening an old wooden door. 

Nikolai nodded, running his hand along with the cool stone as she led the way down a spiral staircase. It was pretty creepy, and he kind of felt like he was about to be murdered, yet he followed his wife. They were walking for a few minutes before somehow emerging above ground again; in fact, they were in a tower that looked out over the massive estate. 

"Holy shit," He declared, looking around at just how much area there was. 

Their palaces in Denmark were nowhere near this extensive. Eva looked around before sitting in a chair and motioning for Nikolai to sit at the other. 

"I haven't been candid with you about my family and what exactly we do and who we are," She started, looking over at him, "You know that my family is a very old one, a historically very powerful one. But, we've had far more power than has been let on. Most major historical events of the past 800 years, my family was behind. My family unified southern Italy and kept a strong hand in everything. Even under Mousillini, we were left alone because we held sway in other European countries."

"I understand your family was incredibly powerful, but what do you mean behind historical events?" Nikolai asked slowly.

"We recognize a need for change, and we make the change happen. Name a historical event," Eva replied.