Chapter Fifty-Eight

Edwardo looked at his friend, boss, and king—this person who meant so much to him and for whom he would gladly give up his life. “I don't really know Alless. I really feel comfortable with her and want her by my side. But do I have the right to ask that of her? My life is not my own.” 

“What do you mean your life is not your own? Have I ever forced you to do anything against your will, even though I could?”

Alless asked, feeling hurt. “Also, I know that.” Edwardo answered, unable to look Alless in the eye. 

"Yes, you treat me more like your brother than a subordinate. I will always be grateful, but I cannot forget who we are. You are the king, and I am your guardian. I am a soldier, and wherever you are, that is where I'm meant to be. I can't forget that. Will Sabrina, a beautiful doctor, follow me everywhere? What do you think?” Edwardo asked Alless to think about it honestly.

“I know what you are saying. But I am married, and I cannot expect you not to know the joy of being totally one with the one you love; that will be selfish of me, and I wouldn't be living up to who I am.” Alless spoke gently and firmly to a friend and brother, not a subordinate.

“See Scarlet; she follows me everywhere; if Sabrina truly loves you, she will too.”

“But Alless, the princess is our kind while Sabrina is purely human; don't forget our status. We are a whole world of difference.” Edwardo concluded lamely.

“No!” Alless assumed an authoritative tone. “I don’t want to ever hear the words different, class, or status when you refer to us! Do you understand Edwardo?” Alless’ voice was so terrible that Edwardo fell on his knees in front of him. He was not Alless, his friend, talking, but Allessandro, the king.

'Yes, your majesty. I won't, ever.” Edwardo answered. still kneeling. 

“Get up, go, and confess your love to Sabrina right now! Unless she says no, I don't ever want to hear any negative words from your mouth. Understand ? Go now! I am waiting for her response. And that's an order!” Alless ordered.

"Yes, your Majesty.” Edwardo scrambled to his feet and out of the door in a jiffy. 

Outside the door, he leaned on the door, heaving a sigh and holding his breath. What just happened there? I have never seen Alless like that with me. I better go do what he says before he does something awful. 

 He remembered Lorenzo’s severed ear. Edwardo put his hand on his right ear. Shivering, would Alless ever do that to me if I ever offended him? He was so scared of his friend’s wrath that he began to quake.

Still standing outside the door and breathing heavily. “And what are you still doing out there, thinking nonsense? Come on, move it before I change my mind.” Alless yelled from the other side of the door.

 OMG! I totally forgot, for a moment, who Alless is. He can totally read my thoughts. With that, he moved away quickly from the door, towards the direction of Sabrina’s room. 

When Alless sensed that Edwardo had left, he burst out laughing. I really scared him, and the fool forgot that I could read minds. He continued laughing.

 Alless sobered up after the laugh. What was he doing? He shook his head and stood up to leave Edwardo’s apartment. He hoped his little matchmaking worked. If it did, they had two weddings to plan. With that in mind, he went out to look for Scarlet, whom he had left engrossed in conversation with his mother. Let him go give the news of his little charade to Scarlet. She will surely have a good laugh.

Scarlet and Alless had met Clara Rossi on her way in search of her husband. She had been so glad to see her soon. She had hugged and inspected him all over to see if there were any aftereffects from Lorenzo’s attack, which Alless had laughingly pulled away, embarrassed by the too much attention from his mother in front of his wife.

“I am okay, Mama; I am not a little boy anymore. Besides, my wife, who is your daughter-in-law, is present. It's embarrassing; let go.” Alless tugged at his mother’s arm around his neck.

"I heard that you know," Scarlet laughed. 

 Alless blushed, and his mother worsened the matter by kissing him all over his face. “I don't care; you are still and will always be my baby.”. 

 "Awwwwh!” Alless finally extricated himself from his mother’s arms, wiping his face, which was still red.

"Okay, bye, Mama, now that you have seen me. Speak to you later.” Alless practically ran away from the two most important women in his life. Go look for Edwardo.

"So, mom, I don't get to receive any hugs or kisses. I have not seen you in two days.” Scarlet complained to her mother-in-law who looked at her and started laughing, still looking in the direction where her son had left. 

“Your husband is such a big baby. Come here, my dear. I have missed you, and I thank you for making my son and all of us happy. Thank you, my dear.” Clara hugged Scarlet, thankful for all the joy she has brought them. 

As Alless made his way to his mother and wife, he encountered Antonio and Leonardo coming out of the nursery. He looked at them in surprise. “Don't tell me you guys were still in there.” 

The two older men looked at Alless and smiled. “Thank you, Alessandro, for those perfect gifts; they are a treasure.” Leonardo said, patting Alless on the back.

“Please do send Scarlet and the children home from time to time if you don't mind. I miss her terribly.” 

“I know, and I will.” Alless promised his father-in-law. 

“If that's all, I will be heading home, Antonio. See you some time around.” Leonardo said he was going to leave.

"No, father, don't go yet; Scarlet and I have an announcement to make.” Alless told them. Antonio and Leonardo looked at each other, and it could only mean one thing: another baby? Alless laughed at their shocked expressions. He knew exactly what they were thinking. 

“Not that, you two; give me a break. Though I want more, I have to get my wife’s permission and cooperation, don't you think?” Alless asked with a smile. “There is something else I would like to discuss with the whole family, and I would like for all of you to be present during dinner. So you can't leave just yet, father-in-law.” 

"Okay, you majesty, as you command." The two elderly gentlemen answered in one accord, leaving Alless gaping at them.