Don't Forget the Star

Chapter Two

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

Oh, poor Fel. She's only sixteen but being set up to be married off.

"Or my niece Cettina."

I was not 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 and what all the men were thinking.

Don't be reading anyone's heart now, Fel.

Blank faced Fel walked into the semicircle the family had created around 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. How was it that they could run to stand with Fel but I couldn't move from my spot.

"What's the reason for this, Papa?" Nova had some nerve getting up there and questioning Papa.

"There is a reason. However, I need not explain myself."

A knife cut 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, jaw almost on the floor.

"Just shut up." Debito growled as he came to stand next to me on the front lines. "This looks interesting."

Papa dropped Fels knife as Fel lower herself into a crouch. I wouldn't defy Papa but decided I would stand beside Fel if she needed me. Fel charged and gave Mondo her infamous kick. He blocked it calmly 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 latched onto her ankle with the next strike. "...in your present condition!" Mondo threw down Fel.

"Princess!" I caught Libertá's shout from somewhere in the crowd. "Milady!" Luca ran to her side as she scowled up at Papa.

"If you're just going to sit there and glare, a little child can do that too. Why don't you 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."

Calmly I stepped up behind Fel.

"Are you going to challenge me too?" Papa asked as 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's  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!" Debito. "Your careless, no regard outbursts are fantastic!"

"Don't instigate him, Debito." Luca warned the one eyed man.

"Are you saying you can't follow orders either, Libertá?" questioned Mondo.