The Forum stayed quiet, even after 20 minutes had passed, just as Oliver said. He did pick the best spot to come to. Oliver didn't say anything. He was letting me think; in fact, he was giving me my space. He stayed at a distance but never out of reach. I think he was on edge, having ditched the guards. I was, in everyone's eyes, in danger.
I was in danger. I never thought I would believe such a thing could actually be my reality, and yet, here I am.
"I can only imagine what Salvatore is thinking." I chuckled at the thought, spinning around to face Oliver, "I imagine he's losing hair every minute. That's 20 stands now."
Oliver rolled his eyes at the mention of Salvatore, "That is not the one I am worried about."
"Oh?"
"It's Gio I am worried about."
"Gino is a softie," I answered confidently. I could never understand why everyone, including his other friends, had agreed on never wanting to get on Gino's wrong side.
Oliver let out a deep sigh, shaking his head, casting a look of envy my way. "How I wish such luxuries were afforded to me, as well, my dear Chance."
I frowned at that comment. If Gino can be that harsh, I don't think I ever want to see it. "Well, I am allowed to do what I want." I shrugged my shoulders, swallowing back the lump in my throat, now rethinking my actions. Oliver must have noticed my change of mood. He cleared his throat, standing up straight.
"There is nothing to worry about, Chance. I am only teasing."
Teasing? "Really?"
Oliver nodded his head, "Gio...well...you see, I don't think he could ever be angry with you." He gave me a wink, swinging my shoes around like a child.
I hope not.
"Are you Chance?"
I turned around to the sound of a small voice. A little Italian girl was smiling up at me with big green eyes. She was standing next to, what I assume, was her older sister. She was holding a flower crown in her hands.
"We made this for you. Our King made you one, didn't he?" The older sister spoke, quite nervous and toying with the ends of her sleeves. I smiled at the memory in Venice when Gino gave me that flower crown he made while we were walking together. I nodded my head in agreement.
"It's wonderful, thank you, but I think it would look far better on you." I bent down to the little sister and placed it on her head. She giggled with excitement.
"Our King said you have two favorite flowers, but he only knows Lilies. Will you tell us your other favorite flower?"
"Tell us," the little girl yelled, her older sister hushing her as if not to catch anyone's attention. "We want to tell him so he can love us too!"
She had to be the cutest kid I had ever seen, and I hate kids.
I was about to answer when the Forum was suddenly surrounded by the royal guards, a not-so-happy Salvatore coming down the hill. Before the girls were quickly escorted away by their parents, I quickly whispered to them, "Sunflowers, when you see him next, you can tell him yourself, but make sure you keep it a secret. Okay?"
"Okay!" They both shouted, then were escorted away hurriedly.
Oliver was separated from me. I watched as Salvatore, and he had a heated discussion, Salvatore's hands waving about. "Salvatore." He stopped speaking and turned to me, giving me all his attention. "It's not his fault; I told him to."
"I know."
"So, why aren't you yelling at me?" I asked, confused.
He let out a soft sigh before coming closer to me but still keeping a respectable distance. "You are now part of the royal family. As such, you are to be treated as his majesty."
"Is Oliver not awarded the same courtesy as Gino's best friends?"
Salvatore shook his head, "Nobody has ever been given this courtesy, Lady Chance. Not one person," he emphasized at the end. "It would be wrong of me to reprimand you, as you are allowed to do as you wish, and we must bend and jump at command whenever you should call or act. Does this make sense, Lady Chance?"
Strangely, it did.
"So, if I had been behind the wheel, Oliver would not have been yelled at, is what you're saying?"
"No, he is not being yelled at for having done what you asked. He is being yelled at for not reporting your location."
I nodded my head, still trying to figure out how all of this made complete sense to me. "I needed space."
Salvatore nodded his head in understanding, "If you need space, please, inform us."
"Would that be allowed?"
Salvatore smiled, his eyes shining with a glint of pride. What is with Oliver and Salvatore? They are the same; that must be why they hate each other so much. "We found your location 3 minutes after you arrived at the Forum."
"You did! But, But I didn't see you." My mouth opened wide in realization, "Ohhhh, I see, I see now."
"Please, Lady Chance, if you need anything...space, time to think, alone time...however you wish to say it, let us know, and we will do our best to make it happen. If you should wander off in this current time and get hurt, it would be a huge blow to not only us but his majesty as well." Salvatore bowed his head before snapping his fingers, and the guards disappeared instantly. I watched Salvatore's retreating figure. He does have so many sides to him. One day I think he's an ass, another day, he's overprotective, and another day he's completely understanding.
Oliver looks completely stunned. "Well... that's a new version of Salvatore." He squinted his eyes as if not wholly convinced. "I don't buy it, Sal!" He took off, sprinting towards Salvatore.
"Oliver!" I shouted, rolling my eyes, "Don't push your luck any more with him!" He wasn't listening to me, taking off with my shoes still in his hand. "Oliver!" He disappeared over the hill. "What a dummy," I mumbled. I decided to continue walking around on the grass. I made my way along the built walkways to keep from hurting my feet on the fallen pieces of the buildings.
"Lady Chance." Another royal guard, I believe his name is Arturo, approached me with a new pair of shoes. "Please, allow me." I nodded my head. He took a knee in front of me and carefully placed the black ballet flats onto my feet. "His majesty has sent a car; I am to take you to Borghese Villa."
We drove through what had to be the upper echelon of Rome. Chanel. Prada. Spanish steps. "His majesty has not been to the villa in quite a long time." I looked ahead at the guard, who gave me a warm smile through the rearview mirror.
"You speak English quite well."
He nodded his head, "His majesty specifically sent me; he believes you are feeling...homesick."
I dropped my gaze from him. Suddenly, the fabric of my clothes seemed far more interesting.
"I did not mean to overstep, Lady Chance."
"You didn't," I quickly replied, worried he would tell Gino that he had offended me. "May I be... candid with you?"
He gave me a curt nod to assure me my words would not leave this car.
"I don't believe this country likes me very much, and it makes me sad." Arturo drove through the vast green area of the villa until finally a short distance from what looked like the main house. I watched as Giovanni stepped out in a fitted blue t-shirt, light blue chinos, and flip-flops. Never in my life would I have ever thought a man could look drop-dead gorgeous in flip-flops, but alas, Gino continues to prove me wrong. He had his sunglasses on, but I just knew he was watching me. Arturo parked the car and quickly stepped out, opening my door. He put his hand out to help me, and as I made my way out of the car, he whispered to me.
"His majesty is just as sad."
It was then that I realized just how refreshing it was to have an upfront response. Arturo did not try to lie to me. He didn't make me feel crazy for how I felt by telling me that this country adored me. Instead, he reassured me that Gino was just as devastated, while that may be true. I gave him a bright smile before giggling to myself, "Thank you for your honesty, Arturo." He bowed his head to me.
"You will only receive honesty from me, Lady Chance."
"I appreciate that." I walked away from him, making my way up the wide path sandwiched between breathtaking gardens. I looked around mouth agape at the landscape. This place is as beautiful as people say. I got lost in the scenery until the feel of a complex, warm body pressed against my back. I spun around, looking up at the beautiful man. "Hello."