Chapter 296

I stare at him, shocked, and Luca just grins at me. “Do you – do you speak Itablio?” I ask.

“I mean, just a little,” he says with a shrug as his family moves eagerly around us, setting out food and drinks, turning on music.

“Of course he speaks Itablio, it’s his native tongue!” his mother says, laughing and coming to press a fizzy orange drink into my hand.

“It is?” I gasp, still staring at Luca. He just laughs and looks away, maybe a little bashful.

“Where!” his Gran says suddenly, pulling my attention back to her. “Where…Rafe!”

“What?” I ask, baffled but bursting into a grin.

“Where…Rafe!” she repeats, looking around the room eagerly. noveldrama

Luca’s mom laughs and slips an arm around her mother’s shoulder, grinning and speaking quietly to her in their language. I look to Luca, curious.

“Yeah,” Luca says, stepping closer and running a coy hand through his hair. “I kind of forgot to mention that Gran is…kind of obsessed with the royal family.” He lifts his chin towards the corner of the room, and I turn to see a picture of my mom on the wall, looking saintly and smiling beatifically, holding a little baby Rafe in her arms, their cheeks pressed together. A candle burns beneath the painting, and it’s clear that it’s very well cared for.

My mouth drops open in shock and delight.

“Rafe is her favorite,” Luca continues, and I burst out laughing, turning my face back up to his. “She is going to be bummed when she found out that it’s just the Princess today, and not her precious Prince.”

“Principe Rafe!” Gran says again, clapping her hands. “He so…handsome!” Luca’s mom laughs, picking up the end of our conversation.

“Don’t listen to Luca,” she says to me, rolling her eyes at her son. “Gran is, of course, thrilled to meet you, Ariel. We all are.” She opens her arms to me now, and I go to her, letting her wrap me up in her arms too. “I always prayed he had a mate,” Luca’s mom whispers to me, holding me tight, and a true warmth rushes through me at her words. “I didn’t realize he’d be lucky enough to get you.”

She pulls back a little, and cups my cheek in her palm, her eyes filled with tears.

“Mommm,” Luca groans, reaching for me. “I’ve been telling her that our family is fun –“

She laughs, pulling away and shaking her head. “You’re right, you’re right!” she says. “Call me Linda, Ariel – and please, yes, eat! Drink! Have fun! You’re partying with the Grant’s now, and Luca is right – we are a good time.”

Over the next few hours, I learn that this is absolutely true. Luca’s family instantly makes everything easy, pulling me into the cozy, well-worn living room and sweeping me up in their conversation like I’ve been there a hundred times – like I’ve always been there, honestly. I mean, they ask me about my life as Princess, of course, but his family works hard to ensure that I am instantly comfortable in Luca’s home, immediately included in all of the jokes. As time slips by I don’t all feel the revered Princess – which I don’t like, anyway, if I’m being honest – but instead like Luca’s new girlfriend, accepted and loved.

Or at least, I’m feeling quite accepted and loved by everyone in the room except Luca’s uncle, who stands in the corner nursing a beer and frowning, staring into space. He doesn’t make it clear that I’m the source of his dissatisfaction, but he doesn’t look at me.

And the way he scowls down at his drink and refuses any food – man, but anxiety twists in my gut. What possible reason have I given him to not like me?