Don't Forget the Star

Original Chapter 2

"One more thing. The winner will marry my daughter, Felicitá"

Poor Fel "or my niece Cettina." WHAT!!!!! I was never consulted about this!!!

"Marry the princess?" I heard Libertá mumbling to himself. "Well this is getting interesting." I heard Debito chuckle and I can only imagine the devious smirk that went along with it. Fel walked up to Papa. "What is it, Felicitá? Do you have any concerns?" I wanted to go and stand beside her but I was glued to my spot. "I don't want to get married." "You chose with your own free will to join the Arcana Famiglia. This is the rule of the family. Meaning you have to do as I say. Am I wrong?" Fel frown turned into a scowl. Libertá and Nova ran to the front of the crowd. "Whats the reason for this, Papa?" asked Nova "There is a reason. However, I need not explain myself." A knife flew through the air and Papa caught it as it flew by his head. "Oh? If you don't want to follow orders challenge me here and win." Papa was taunting Fel. "That's impossible!" Pace exclaimed "Just shut up." growled Debito "This looks interesting."

Papa dropped Fels knife and Fel dropped into a crouch. I made my way up to the front of the crowd, I wouldn't defy Papa but I would stand beside Fel if she needed me. Fel charged and gave Mondo her infamous kick. He blocked it with his forearm. "Is that all your kick has to offer?" Fel stumbled back then charged again. Kicking again and again from both sides. "I will choose...my own path!" "You haven't that right to choose your own path..." Mondo grabbed her ankle on the next strike "in your present condition!" Mondo threw down Fel. "Princess!" I heard Libertá yell from somewhere in the crowd. "Milady!" Luca ran to her side. She scowled at Papa. "If you're just going to sit there and glare, a little child can do that too. Why don't not try shedding a tear or two as well? You may earn the pity of a few of the men who are going to participate in the in the Duello." I stepped up behind Fel. "Are you going to challenge me too?" asked Papa I clenched my fists. "No, I'm not." I looked straight at Mondo "But I'm not going to let Fel or myself lose our freedom." "It's true; you're robbing the princesses of their freedom." Libertá voice interrupted us. "How can you call yourself a father?"

"What are you doing Libertá?" Dante was surprised by his outburst. "Well done, Libertá the fool!" laughed Debito "Your careless, no regard outbursts are fantastic!" "Don't instigate him, Debito." Luca criticized the one eyed man. "Are you saying you can't follow orders either, Libertá?" questioned Mondo "That's right!" "The defeat me, right here, right now."

Libertá seemed to come to his senses about what was going to happen. "What's the matter? Are you scarred of making a fool of yourself, like Felicitá?" "There's no guarantee..." Libertá drew his sword "that I'm going to make a fool of myself!" Libertá charged at the smirking Papa. In a flash Nova moved in front of Papa. "Papa is the father of our family as well. I won't condone any harm towards our father." Nova glared at Libertá. Nova drew his katana and Libertá charged. Before the two could clash Nova tripped and Pace grabbed Libertá from behind. Novas katana started to rise, "Debito?" A purple mark glowed and Debito started to materialize "Very perceptive, I made a deal with the ninth card, L'eremita: the Hermit." "So your powers are to make yourself invisible." "Let go! Let go of me!" Libertá struggled in Paces grip. "Would you let me go, you meathead!" "I understand how you feel, but it's not good if you disobey Papa." Paces mark on his hand glowed red. "Pace has a deal with the 11th card, La Forza: Strength. His strength is overwhelming, no one can oppose it." Noted Nova. "Let go. Let me go!" Libertá cried. A red mark flashed on his forehead. He stumbled foreword, freed of Paces death grip. Mondo walked up to Libertá as he stood up. "How pitiful. If you want to free my daughters, then you need to win the Arcana Duello. I told you. I will grant any wish."

Mama turned to Fel and I. "Felicitá, Cettina." "Mama." "There is a way for one of you two to win as well. You're going to choose your own path right?"

~~ ~~ Afterwards ~~ ~~

Debito leaned back in his chair. "There's no way I'd get married but I wouldn't mind being bound with either Bambina. Especially Cettina."

"Debito, how dare you?!" Luca pounded on the table.

"I'm sure everyday would be fun with one of the Princesses as my wife."

"Pace, you too?"

"Then what are you going to do about the Arcana Duella, Luca?"

"I will cheer on Miladys!"

"However, Papa said that everyone with Arcana powers will be fighting."

"The Bambinas are heartless women. However that can be rather charming." Debito smirked.

~~ ~~ Elsewhere ~~ ~~

"Mondo has thought up something rather absurd." Dante swirled his drink.

"I'm getting all excited thinking of one of the lady's as my bride."

"Jolly, you..."

"What? Do you think I'll lose? Unfortunately that's not going to happen. That is, if I take this seriously."

Dante frowned.

~~ ~~ In the courtyard ~~ ~~

Fel and I sat outside on the rim of the fountain.

"Fel, I'm sorry I didn't stand and fight with you. " I apologized.

"I'm not mad. You don't need to apologize."

"I would have fought alongside you but I can't defy Papa. After everything you guys have done for me, defying him now would be like saying I didn't appreciate his care."

"I know. Papa and Mama took you in after Aunt died. But I don't want them to take away either of our freedoms."

"I know. I want to have my own path too. That's why one of us had to win."

We were interrupted but the ringing of footsteps on stone.

"Liberta."

"Don't worry Princesses!"

"What?" I cocked my head at the overly cheery blond.

"I'm going to win this and take the title of Papa. Then..."

"One of us will be your bride?" Fel made it sound like she had never thought of that situation.

Liberta waved his hands around frantically. "No! That's not what I meant! Ummm... Anyways, it means you regain your freedom, right?"

Fel smiled and nodded and I felt a smile creep onto my face as well.

"That's right. You may end up my bride..."

Liberta stood, hand on his chin, thinking.

"But that's sort of weird to think about." He laughed and rubbed the back of his head.

"You're so oblivious." I turned around to see Nova walk up.

"What do you mean by oblivious, you chickpea?" Demanded Liberta.

"Don't call me a chickpea!" That always upset Nova. "You can barely control you Arcana powers, yet you're foolish enough to say you'll win the Arcana Duello. If that's not oblivious, then what is?"

"I made a decision to live by this sword so I have no need for Arcana powers."

Nova sighed. "You truly are oblivious."

"But you can't use your Arcana powers either. I've never seen you use your Arcana powers."

"Don't compare me with you!" Nova yelled.

Liberta looked startled, Nova rarely loses his composure.

"Don't worry, Felicita, Cettina." I turned towards him. "If I were to win, I'll wish not to marry either of you."

Fel nodded.

"That means if either of us wins, the Princesses will be free!"

"The likelihood of you winning is rather slim." Nova commented.

"What the hell did you say, you chickpea!?"

"The truth." Nova turned his back to Liberta. "And don't call me chickpea."