Once Upon A Drunken Mistake

23. A Sign of New Beginnings

Flora looked back and let out a happy laugh as Camilla tried to keep with the brunette. The two rode down the large open field enjoying the breeze against their faces. The royal guards, including Benjamin and Micaela were close by in golf carts.

       "You have gotten better," Camilla noted as the two of them slowed down as they neared the stables. Micaela helped Camilla climbed down from her horse while Benjamin helped Flora.

       "Thank you," Flora told Benjamin as she took off her helmet. The brunette ran her hands through her dark brown locks detangling them in the process. "It does help that we have been going on morning rides each day."

Camilla nodded as she too took off her helmet and let her golden curls free. The two walked over to the nearby fountain and washed off any sweat, allowing themselves to cool down.

"Good morning!" Indiana chirped as she approached the two princesses. "Ready to take on your schedule for the day?"

"Hit me," Flora replied as she patted her face dry with the cotton towel near the fountain. Indiana scanned her tablet to look what Flora had to do for the day.

"First, you have the brunch with Duchess of Ricci at around eleven, then you have to greet the Duke and Duchess of Sussex —"

       "They are back so soon?" Flora asked, surprised at William's quick return. He and his now wife had departed for their honeymoon only three days prior.

       "Maybe he is frightened by his new role as Duke?" Camilla mused as the three of them exited the Brambilla royal stables, the guards walking right behind them as they made their way to the awaiting vehicles.

       "Maybe," Flora mumbled, but the brunette knew it wasn't just fear holding William back, but rather someone.

The three of them climbed into the Range Rovers before Antonio pulled out of the driveway for the private royal stables.

       "Oh! You also have your final gown fitting today at three." Indiana said, hoping to dismiss the whole William conversation. "I can't believe you are actually have an actual wedding!"

"Me either," Flora giggled at her best-friend's excitement. The brunette was excited as well, but worried about how everything would go. Hayden and Flora planned to have a small wedding ceremony before their coronation, to validate their marriage through the Catholic Church and only close family as well as few high ranking royals would attend. Immediately after the royal couple would be escorted the Cathedral de Pisa where they would be crowned as the new king and queen of Italy.

       "The dress you chose for the wedding ceremony is very beautiful — simple but elegant." Camilla noted and Flora gave her a grateful smile.

"I can't believe you will be officially be married to Hayden AND be the Queen of Italy in just three days." Indiana whispered to her friend.

       The car came to a slow stop outside of one of the entrances of the Medici-Massaro Estate. The three girls stepped out of the vehicle and were escorted inside. Every since the attack, there has been higher security and some of Dante's men were even brought in as undercover royal guards. Hayden did not want to take any chances and even a safe room was being installed.

       "My granddaughters!" The three of them turned to the familiar voice. Guilia stood in front of them with open arms and Flora and Camilla rushed over to her. "I've missed you two so much."

"How was your time away?" Flora asked as she examined Guilia who looked much better than she did when she had left.

"I am much better," Guilia replied as they walked toward the first floor living room. They all sat on the beige sofa. "Being a cottage alone and having time reflect really did do me some good, but I knew I had to return in time for your wedding and coronation. I already missed the first wedding and I knew I could not miss this one."