The Royal Arrangement

Chapter 12

THIS IS PART TWO OF A DOUBLE UPDATE, PLEASE READ CHAPTER 11 FIRST!
15/4/2020 (1050 words)
Ariana’s POV

A few hours later I was sat on a bench just outside the Colosseum, reliving the day in my mind while I waited for Lorenzo to return from wherever he had gone. That day had literally been a dream come true, I had stood on the platform in the Colosseum for at least an hour, just looking at everything and attempting to take it all in. Then Lorenzo had somehow pulled some strings and he guided me around the hypogeum and my head never stayed still, moving around to try and see everything, though that was impossible. I couldn’t get my head around the amount of history that surrounded me, that I was standing at the centre-point of so many stories and legends, I was so overwhelmed that tears had started to roll down my cheeks. I had wiped them away, not wanting Lorenzo to see, but he had. He had walked quickly back to where I stood still and kept asking me if I was ok, so I had to assure him I was fine and I'm pretty sure he realised how much of a history nerd I truly was. After three hours I finally agreed to leave. After we left Lorenzo walked me to the bench and told me he was going to get something, so I sat there, staring at the incredible structure in front of me when I was tapped on the shoulder. I jumped and turned quickly and saw Lorenzo holding two ice creams and his wig blowing across his face and in his eyes. I stifled an unwilling giggle and took the chocolate ice cream he was holding out to me with a mumble of thanks. He took his seat on the other end of the small bench and we sat there in silence, eating and admiring the beauty around us. Once we had both finished, I stood up as I assumed we would be leaving for the fountain, but Lorenzo called me back. I moved back to him, a look of confusion on my face.

‘I have something to tell you before we go anywhere else.’ Lorenzo told me. My nerves suddenly heightened, was this what he and Carmelita were talking about earlier?

‘Ok.’ I sat back down slowly and fiddled with my fingers in my lap. Out of the corner of my eye I saw him reach into his pocket and pull out an envelope and slide it across the bench to me. ‘What is it?’ I asked apprehensively.

‘Please, just open it.’ It almost sounded as if he was begging me.

I picked it up and felt the weight of several papers. I opened it and slowly ran my eyes over the first sentence before holding my hand to my mouth in shock and bursting into tears.

Dear Her Royal Highness Princess Ariana, 

We would be delighted to extend another offer for you to attend the Royal Academy of Music and Performing Arts. His Royal Highness Crown Prince Lorenzo has explained the circumstances around your rejection of our original offer, and we will be happy to arrange your schedule around your personal responsibilities. Further details about classes, equipment etc are enclosed. If you feel you are able to attend our school along with keeping up with your royal duties, we will be happy to organise a meeting to sort security, classes and catch up courses for you. We hope to see you soon.

Sincerely, 

Annie Lawrence
Principle of the Royal Academy of Music and Performing Arts

‘You got me my place back?’ I asked through streams of tears in disbelief.

‘Yeah. I don’t want you to think I'm interfering or anything but -’ he stopped talking when I threw my arms around his neck, still crying and repeatedly saying thank you into his shoulder. Lorenzo didn’t respond straight away, he sat there frozen for a few seconds before wrapping his strong arms loosely around my body and rubbing his hands up and down my back. 

We stayed in that position for several minutes before I realised how close we were and pulled away, wiping my tears away for the second time that day. ‘I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to do that.’ I apologised.

‘Don't worry about it.’ Lorenzo replied with a smile. ‘So, I take it you’re not mad at me for interfering?’ he said nervously.

‘Definitely not.’ I said with a laugh. ‘I’m guessing there are conditions to this though.’ I continued light heartedly, I would abide by any rules they set out if I could go to the school.

‘Yeah, but we can go through those later.’ Lorenzo said, waving his hand dismissively. ‘I do have my own request though.’ He paused and I looked at him expectantly, waiting for him to continue. ‘I want us to try and get along. Be friends at least.’ My eyebrows shot up to my hair and my mouth opened into a small ‘o’. My first thought was; why? Why would he want to be my friend? But then I thought about it properly. We were going to have to spend the rest of our lives together and put up the appearance of a happy couple, that would be considerably easier if we got along. This was also the most we had talked at once, and maybe it was something to do with what he had done for me, but I wasn’t uncomfortable sitting there with him.

‘Yeah, sure.’ Lorenzo smiled and stood up then offered me his hand to help me stand as I was still giddy, my head in the clouds. I touched him for the first time since the wedding. I placed my hand in his, just as I had done on that day, and just like that day, his large hand enveloped mine in warmth. Only this time it was not only my hand that was warm, but it spread through my whole body. I tilted my head up to see if he felt the same thing, but his face showed nothing of the sort. I looked away and let go of his hand, following him to the car, a smile still stuck on my face despite the aching feeling in me that something between Lorenzo and I just changed and I didn’t know what that meant.

It's a bit shorter, but I think it's one of my favourite chapters yet.

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Beth xxx