Unmarked

Chapter 26

Lavina and Anghi sat at the table as they ate lunch. Anghi looked over to Lavina.

"So... what did you want to do today?" Lavina slammed her utensils down on the table.

"We are going to the castle today! I am going to show you every crevice of it! I'll even show you some of the staff!"

"Ok." Lavina put her dish in the sink and Anghi closely followed.

"Where are you two off to?" Amilia asked, coming out of the office.

"We are going to go down to the palace."

"Oh, that's fun." Amilia turned Lavina around and walked her into the kitchen without her brother.

"Everything alright, mom?"

"Yes, yes, honey I just have been meaning to ask you a question." Amilia turned to her. "Do you like all this princess stuff?"

"Yes, I do."

"Alright." Amilia smiled. "Go on and have fun with your brother." Lavina smiled at her and then walked back into the living room.

"Is everything alright with Ami- mom?"

"Yeah, she just needed some more info, you know how it is."

Anghi laughed. They walked out of the house and to the wall and throughout the Market like usual, stopping at the castle in Catalin. "It never gets old." Anghi said following Lavina's coat tails.

"Come on, come on, keep up! I don't want you to get lost."

"I'm coming, I'm coming." Anghi sped up so that he was 'close' enough to Lavina. They began to walk through the palace, Lavina giving him a personal tour of the palace. They finally ended in the throne room. "Wow, and I thought the armory was impressive."

"Yeah, I know. The thrones were actually personally carved, to best suit our grandparents. Oh! I wonder if you'll get to meet them today."

"I already did, don't you remember? The ki- grandpa." He corrected himself. "He scared me half to death."

Lavina laughed. "That he did. But that was before you were his grandson."

"I guess you're right."

"Lavina! Wonderful." Leo said, interrupting them. "Oh and you brought your little friend too." Leo moved his eyebrows up and down. He handed her a clipboard. "All ready and composed for your signature."

"Oh, this is for the Masquerade, right?" He nodded his head.

"It is." He said pointing to the word. Lavina quickly skimmed through it and then signed it. She handed it back to Leo. "So what are you two up to? Have any fun plans?" He inquired.

"It's not what you think."

"Really?"

"Yes."

"Please, enlighten me why don't you."

"This Anghi, my brother. My younger brother." She paused. "Uncle Leo."

"Your uncle's the king? Wouldn't Amili- mom be the queen?"

"Well, yes, oh dear, your brother." Leo shook his head. "If she were alive then yes, this is rightfully her throne, if she wants it."

"Oh." Anghi looked at Lavina. "Does she not like that?"

Lavina shook her head at him.

"You're talking like she's alive."

"Uh, yeah, you are Anghi, how weird." Lavina gave him a look.

"Oh, right." He turned to Leo. "Silly me, it's still fresh in my mind, your majesty."

"Uhm, that's alright." Leo bent down to his level and put his hand on his shoulder. "And please, call me Leo, uncle Leo if you please." Then he stood up and looked at Lavina. "Did you just call me-?"

"Yes." He put his hand on his heart. "Aw thank you sweetheart." Just then Amilia walked through the opening of the throne room.

"Lavina, Anghi!" She stopped as Leo turned to her.

"Amilia?" He said, his eyes shaking. "You're, you're alive!" He ran to her and knocked her over as he grabbed her in a hug.

"Mom!" They both said running over to see if she was alright.

"Alright, Leo, come on." Leo got up, whipped his tears and extended her hand to her. Amilia grabbed it, and with his help, got up off the floor.

"What are you doing here mom?"

"Remember what I asked you earlier?"

"Yes."

"Well, I have to be queen for you to be the next one, right?"

"I, I, guess so."

"So I'm here to let people know I'm back and well," She turned to Leo. "That I am going to take over the throne."

"What?" Lavina said, looking at her. "But you don't like this stuff. And what about your job?"

"Oh, I'll have plenty of time. I mean, I will be the queen after all, I'll get to make the rules. And no, I don't like this stuff, but," She rolled her eyes. "Anything for you."