Confessing!

Alexa blinked, reason coming back to her mind like a layer of frost, immediately cooling out any passions of the body. 'What…?!'

"Min… yours?! You arrogant pervert!" she got down the table, her eyes flashing with all her contempt for Prince Klaus.

Worst of all was the Prince's loud laugh at her reaction.

Alexa was outraged, and more than that, regretting not putting an end on it once all of that started. Taking a deep breath, she passed by him, and stopped a few steps away. Without turning around, she said,

"Luckily for us both, Klaus, I'm really leaving. This kingdom doesn't need to be left without the two of the von Donnersmarck heirs."

She strode out, never looking back as her eyes watered with fury and shame. 'Damn you! Damn you! Three times damn you!' the maiden listened to his footsteps a little behind and just kept her steps fast so that she wouldn't have to be alone with the Prince again ...

Her only solace was that she would leave this realm within hours and never have to think about it again. Her marriage would be a new life, as Locke had correctly said. John Blackrose was her destiny. All these things would be left behind. Klaus and Alexander would be left behind. She didn't care. She doesn't care… 'Oh, what a hateful man!'

In her thoughts and in her mouth, lingered the sweet, teasing taste of that erotic kiss, but also the words uttered by Klaus before and after the touch of his lips. 'What does he think he is doing?! How dare he…?! the damsel thoughts revolved around her indignation and guilt as she emerged from the maze followed by the Prince.

She soon spotted a group coming toward them, led by Father Di Borghesi. Only at a glance did she realize that he wore a sling on his left arm, but only as he approached the maiden, did she realize that a suffocating smell of perfume emanating from him and his damp hair. A scent of perfume that barely disguised a strange and unpleasant odor coming from the clergyman.

"Father Gianpietro, I beg your blessings!" She ran over, using the opportunity to join the group. She reached out to take his hand, for a kiss, but he wouldn't allow it this time.

"The Lord be with you. Lady Saskia, let's skip the traditions for today. I had a nasty accident…" the Italian priest didn't look particularly happy, but added, "You disappeared and we were worried. What happened?"

Instead of answering, Alexa asked, "Accident? How was that? I was looking for you all this time, Father. I was worried too."

Blue Eyes made a sardonic expression, and said, "I fell into the second-floor latrine hole, dear Lady Saskia. And I had a hard time getting out of there. I'm sure I'll be a laughingstock for a long time, but I'll accept it because it's not a lie."

Alexa widened her eyes, totally surprised, but the information really had two sides, and she imagined poor Blue Eyes screaming for help half-buried by human feces. Unfortunately for her the scene in her mind was really hilarious and she struggled not to laugh. But before she could find the right words to comfort him about it, Father Gianpietro said,

"Lady Saskia, you should use this moment until your departure on confession, so you can arrive at your new family with a clear conscience of all past sins."

'Meh meh meh! He doesn't miss any opportunity,' she thought with a bit of grudge, but nodded, for it would be strange to try to get rid of this activity. However, Alexa thought she noticed a subtle exchange of glances between the Prince and his cousin priest. But soon Klaus left them, saying that he would be at the docks at the time of departure to say goodbye to Lady Saskia, in the name of the kingdom.

The priest didn't give Alexa time and called her to confession, but to the maiden's despair, they went to the castle chapel's confessional, where she would choke on the unbearable smell coming out from poor Blue Eyes. But could she really confess?

"When was the last time you confessed, Lady Saskia?"

"Uhn… it was near Cologne about 10 days ago," she said, kneeling by the lattice side. Until the last moment, Alexa knew she would have to lie and misrepresent, but after the initial blessing, Alexa took a deep breath, her mind rehearsing with the truth of the latest and most disturbing of sins,

'Father Gianpietro, I committed a sin against chastity. I kissed a man's lips, and it wasn't a chaste kiss. And this man is neither my fiance nor my family! What should I say? Not that, right?'

"My daughter, are you truly sorry?" was the question.

"HEY! WAIT! Did I really speak out loud?" the maiden asked, astonished, clinging to the lattices and trying to see the priest's blue eyes.

After a little silence, Father Gianpietro's voice sounded amused but kind,

"Yes, Lady Saskia, you spoke it aloud. Maybe because your conscience is seeking relief from the agony of guilt?"

Alexa covered her mouth, not believing what she had done.

°°°

In the evening, a delegation of considerable size was in the harbor pier, next to the Portuguese ship called Philomena. Alexa was introduced to Antonio and Dieter, two warriors whose sole task was to protect her until she arrived at the Blackrose's Castle; Nerissa, a maid, and Thomas Raymond, an English messenger chosen to clear out any matters, and official bearer of letters from one kingdom to another. Cordelia's father had also provided three servants to attend her and take care of the maiden's belongings, which had increased from a few bundles and a small chest to a considerable amount of boxes and luxurious chests. He had also secretly given her a small chest of gold coins, a considerable fortune, and other wedding gifts in gratitude for saving his only daughter.

Alexa carried Locke and Iain's few personal belongings to their homeland, thinking of returning them to their heirs if they found them. She would do everything in her power to do that.

The maiden had delivered a letter to Cordelia, asking her to give it to her father-in-law only when she was gone.

Now she and Cordelia were arm in arm and laughing, awaiting the shipping of Alexa's trousseau, and had already presented each other with flower wreaths when the royal entourage pompously arrived at the pier.

The horsemen at the head, with Prince Klaus and his cousin Konrad, and a carriage from where Countess Godiva von Habsburg got out. Alexa certainly hoped that the despicable Prince would make sure of her departure, and had already decided that she would behave with indifference. But after the Duke helped the Countess down, the elegant noblewoman came to the maiden with a friendly smile. As they had not even talked in person, Alexa was surprised, bowing to her arrival.

The ruler of Kielstadt's sister, herself a powerful woman, broke the protocol, and when Alexa rose at her request, the Countess hugged her tight,

"Thank you, fair girl, for giving our family renewed hope. Renowned doctors have been summoned to assess the condition of my dear nephew, and thanks to you, Lady Saskia, this is possible. Accept my parting gift, allow me to give you your wedding gown and the jewelry you will wear on the day of your wedding," the woman said, and naturally, Alexa tried to humbly decline. But the Countess continued,

"We eagerly await news of your safe arrival and your marriage, and it would be lovely to meet your husband and the Blackroses in the future. Consider us as part of your family, so accept our wishes for your happiness without any embarrassment."

Alexa also perceived political implications in the Countess's skillful speech, and a subtle promise of possible alliances. The maiden did not fully understand the western political scene, but she had already understood that the Blackroses were on the rise and very close to the throne of England. Whether honest or just a ploy, Alexa had no stature to refuse the Duchess's ostentatious gift, and answered as Lady Eudoxia would.

From the corner of her eye, she could see the prince's falsely distant expression, but she could tell that he was annoyed by the situation, looking at the aunt's chest of precious gifts with a sarcastic smile. He certainly felt victorious over what he had done, but she would not be intimidated after kneeling for an hour in front of Father Gianpietro, apologizing for participating in lewd acts as a bride of another man. In fact, seeing him and being with Cordelia also made her feel very vexed that she had enjoyed being in his arms.

And to think that Klaus would make her friend suffer many more times…!

When the Countess departed, and Cordelia went with Alexa to the ramp for the ship, still arm in arm, the Prince joined them.

This was really a surprise for Alexa, and she turned to face him with narrowed eyes. In fact, she made a decision: she should call Cordelia to leave with her and leave this dangerous kingdom behind, forever. Her new friend was risking her life there.

Abruptly, she began to speak, but the Prince also said,

"Cordelia, I have something to reveal."

The sudden unplanned unison made the three of them look at each other in confusion.