Chapter Sixty-Four

Leonardo continued looking at Antonio, remembering all the feelings of inadequacy Estelle had made him feel throughout their marriage. They had been married for fifteen short years, during which Leonardo had always felt Estelle had loved another, even when it had been confirmed that they were soul mates.

 He had tried very hard to keep her happy, but Estelle had frustrated every effort he made, and the bone of contention had been none other than Antonio.

Antonio's demand hung heavy in the air, and Leonardo knew he could no longer evade the truth. With a sigh, he looked squarely into Antonio's eyes, the weariness etched deeply into his features.

You really want to know, Antonio?" Leonardo's voice was low, tinged with a mixture of pain and resignation. "Fine. But can you handle the truth?"

Antonio nodded, his expression grave yet determined. "I need to know, Leonardo. After all these years of tension between us, I deserve to understand why."

Leonardo took a moment, gathering his thoughts. "It all goes back to Estelle," he began quietly, his voice tinged with a hint of bitterness. "She was my wife, my soulmate. But she never loved me the way she loved you."

Antonio's eyes widened in surprise, a mixture of sympathy and realization crossing his face. "Estelle... loved me?" he whispered, almost to himself.

"Yes," Leonardo continued, his gaze fixed on a distant memory. "From the moment we met, I knew she was special. But she looked at you with such admiration and such love... It ate away at me, Antonio. I envied you. I resented you."

Antonio remained silent, absorbing Leonardo's confession, the weight of decades-old emotions finally coming to light.

"I blamed you for stealing her heart," Leonardo admitted, his voice cracking with suppressed emotion. "I couldn't bear the thought that she would never look at me the way she looked at you. And when our children fell in love, it brought back all those feelings of inadequacy and jealousy."

Antonio reached out, laying a hand on Leonardo's shoulder in a gesture of understanding. "Leonardo," he said softly, "I never knew."

"I know," Leonardo replied, his voice raw with honesty. "I kept it buried deep inside, letting it fester all these years. But now, with this wedding, I realize how foolish I've been."

The two men stood in silence for a moment, the weight of their shared history palpable between them.

"I'm sorry, Antonio," Leonardo finally said, his voice thick with emotion. "I'm sorry for the bitterness and for the animosity. It was never about you. It was about my own insecurities."

Antonio nodded, his own eyes misting with unshed tears. "Thank you, Leonardo, for telling me," he said quietly. "I understand now. "Leonardo," Antonio began gently, "I need you to understand something clearly.

Estelle was never more than a sister to me and a dear friend. Yes, she admired me, but it was always platonic."

Leonardo stopped in his tracks, turning to face Antonio, searching his eyes for sincerity.

"I love Carla," Antonio continued earnestly. "She is my soulmate, just as Estelle was yours. We each had our own paths, our own loves."

A flicker of realization crossed Leonardo's face, mingling with relief and regret. "I see," he murmured, a weight lifting from his shoulders. "I allowed jealousy to cloud my judgment all these years."

Antonio placed a reassuring hand on Leonardo's arm. "We all have our insecurities, Leonardo. What matters now is that we understand each other."

With that acknowledgment, a sense of closure settled between them, easing the tension that had defined their relationship for so long.

"We should go," Leonardo suggested, his tone lighter. "There's a wedding to prepare for, after all."

Antonio smiled faintly, a weight lifted from his heart. "Yes, let's focus on celebrating our children's happiness," he agreed.

Hand in hand, the two kings left the room, their steps lighter and their hearts a little freer, ready to face the joyous chaos that awaited them as they prepared for the wedding of their beloved children.

Leonardo nodded gratefully, a sense of reconciliation settling between them. "Thank you, Antonio, for setting the record straight. It means more than you know."

They resumed their walk, the tension between them dissipating with each step. The looming wedding, once a source of apprehension, now held the promise of unity and celebration.

"Let's ensure everything goes smoothly for our children," Antonio suggested, a newfound warmth in his voice.

"Agreed," Leonardo replied, a faint smile playing on his lips. "They deserve nothing less."

With their hearts lighter and their bond strengthened by understanding, the two kings continued their journey, ready to embrace the joyous chaos of the upcoming festivities and support their children as they embarked on their own journey of love and commitment. 

On the other part of the mansion, Scarlet and Sabrina were busy trying out their dresses. 

As per the culture, Scarlet and the children would stay in the Montgomery Mansion until after the wedding. So two days before the wedding, Alless and Scarlet were apart., each taking care of their own part of the arrangement. 

Sabrina had been so helpful in taking care of the twins—not that there were not enough hands to do that, but someone that could be trusted. They could not afford to let the children face any danger.

The security in the mansion had been doubled, but they could never be too careful. While Marion was guarding Scarlet Montgomery Mansion, Edwardo was in charge of Alless’ security.

In the opulent halls of the Montgomery Mansion, Scarlet and Sabrina were immersed in the final preparations for the wedding. Dresses of exquisite lace and silk adorned Scarlet's figure as she twirled in front of the mirror, her heart a flutter of anticipation and nerves.

"It's perfect, Sabrina," Scarlet murmured, her voice tinged with excitement. "Do you think Alless will like it?"

Sabrina grinned, adjusting a stray ribbon on Scarlet's gown. "He'll be speechless, Scarlet. You look stunning."

Scarlet smiled gratefully at her friend, her mind drifting momentarily to Alless and their separation in the days leading up to the wedding. Tradition dictated that they remain apart until the ceremony, each attending to their respective duties.

Meanwhile, at the Rossi Mansion across town, Allessandro was engaged in his own flurry of activity. Handsome in his tailored suit, he oversaw the final arrangements with a mix of nervousness and eager anticipation. His thoughts kept straying to Scarlet, imagining her radiant smile as she walked towards him down the aisle.

"I hope everything is to your liking, Your Highness," one of the attendants remarked, breaking Allessandro from his reverie.

"It's perfect," Allessandro replied with a nod, his mind racing with plans and hopes for their future together.

Back at the Montgomery Mansion, Marion kept a watchful eye on Scarlet, his presence a silent reassurance amidst the heightened security measures. Edwardo, equally vigilant, ensured that Allessandro's safety was paramount at the Rossi Mansion.

the hours ticked down to the wedding day, conversations between Allessandro and Scarlet echoed in their minds, their thoughts entwined despite the physical distance.

"I can't wait to see you," Allessandro's voice whispered in Scarlet's thoughts, a gentle caress across her consciousness.

"And I, you," Scarlet replied silently, her heart skipping a beat with anticipation.

Their separation felt both interminable and fleeting, the longing palpable in every glance exchanged between them during the rare visits allowed by tradition.

At sunset, with Verona's sky ablaze in hues of orange and pink, both Allessandro and Scarlet found themselves standing by their respective mansion windows, their thoughts reaching across the city.

"I love you," Allessandro murmured, his words carried by the evening breeze.

"I love you too," Scarlet whispered back, her voice filled with unspoken promises and dreams of their future together.

Yet, amidst the tender exchanges and fervent preparations, shadows lurked on the edges of their joy. Whispers of undisclosed threats and unforeseen dangers cast a lingering doubt over the impending celebration.

As the night deepened and the city of Verona slumbered, a lone figure moved through the shadows, its intentions veiled in secrecy, poised to disrupt the tranquil calm before the wedding bells rang.

The air crackled with anticipation and uncertainty, setting the stage for the fateful day when Allessandro Rossi and Scarlet Montgomery would vow their eternal bonds.