CHAPTER 24

—Rosa, mother, you should go inside —Rosalba had been visiting Nicholas's mom since she returned to the palace a week before the wedding. She told Rosalba many stories about Nicholas even she gave a photo when he was a child. He was cute.

—It seems that you don't want her to stay with me —Nicholas' mom clicked her tongue disapprovingly.

Nicholas felt aggrieved. He couldn't see the shadow of his girlfriend for several days. He knew that they would get along but it's at the point Rosalba didn't have time for him.

His mom seemed to discern his thoughts and said —She will be your wife in a few days. Tolerate her absence a few days more —Rosalba laughed softly and took Nicholas's mom inside before leaving the palace with Nicholas.

—Nicholas, your mom said to me that you had weak health when you were a child, it's that right? —Nicholas stopped walking and after a second nodded.

—But you are fine now, right? —Nicholas nodded again.

—Oh, how did you get better? I asked your mom but she told me that you should tell me it —Nicholas didn't answer for a time and Rosalba felt strange. Did she ask something wrong?

Nicholas sighed and covered his face with a hand. Rosalba was about to tell him that he didn't need to say something when he moved towards her.

—We need to go to a place —He grabbed her hand and ran her for a passage. Rosalba didn't recognize the road at the beginning. Only when she smells the flowers. She noticed that they were near her palace.

Surprisingly he didn't go to her palace. He walked more deeply and Rosalba felt confused. Although the structure was rebuilt, this zone still was the most desolate of the palace. Nicholas stopped in front of a small dilapidated palace. Rosalba felt that she had seen it before. But before she could remember, Nicholas said.

—Do you want to know how I got better? —Rosalba barely nodded.

—So, Do you remember the person that you know in this palace? —Rosalba was confused before a memory came to her mind. It was a distant memory.

—Yes, it was a little guy…He was sick and my nanny gave him treatment and food sometimes. But why do you ask about it? —The last thing she remembered about him was that she tried to save his life. She had never known of him again.

—I suppose that I looked very different at that time…Don't I? —Rosalba was stunned before she said, stuttering.

—Y-You were…him? —Nicholas laughed and nodded.

—Oh my god… I can't believe…—Nicholas opened the door and inside had a bed, a desk, some books. It was simple but it was clean.

—I survived thanks to you at that time —Rosalba looked at him and she wanted to say that it was only thanks to Agnes. But Nicholas seemed to know her thoughts and said.

—Agnes helped me but it was just because you allowed it. I always knew it. It is the reason why ....— He sighed and said —I marked you before you left the palace. I had always been in love with you. So, I wanted to ask you. Do you want to be my partner forever? —Tears fell from the eyes of Rosalba while she spoke.

—Do you ask, when there is only a week to go until the wedding? —Nicholas laughed nervously and said.

—I want to be sure —Rosalba laughed too and said.

—Of course yes, I'm sorry for taking so long —She hugged Nicholas.

—It doesn't matter, it was worth it —He kissed the tears of Rosalba and bit her lips softly.

In the beginning, it was a soft kiss but suddenly it became more aggressive. Their clothes were lost along the way and that night the moon was a witness of their union.

***

The luxurious wedding was after a week. Nicholas had sent to prepare a special dress and crown for Rosalba. She walked until the throne and she greeted Nicholas with a curtsey as usual. But this time Nicholas shook his head and said.

—You never will have to bow again even in front of me —He put the crown of the empress in her head and the people burst into cheers.

Nicholas helped her to turn around and when Rosalba saw all the people in the square she heard the voice of Nicholas saying.

—You will see the world to my side hereinafter —Rosalba now can say that she is really happy.

END.