THE PRETENDER'S HEART

Isabella froze when angrily Rolando opened the door asking what she was doing with the documents she was holding. She slowly moved closer to the wall thinking he would raise his hands to hit her, but seeing that he stared at her with so much anger and hate, she muttered "I am sorry" slowly and tears filled her eyes.

Immediately the phone rang and looking in that direction, Rolando, her uncle rushed to take it. It was the police asking to see him and the daughter of Anthonio the King; without delay they hurried off as the caller had urgency in her voice.

Why are you disturbing the peace of this noble palace?! Rolando inquired, with a sad look, the police officers told him of the death of his brother Anthonio and his wife Cassia, who were involved in a ghastly car accident.

Pretending to be sad he fell on the floor to weep for their loss. Isabella who followed behind was speechless all through, tears rolling down her eyes continuously as she listened as the police broke the news.

Rollando has finally gotten what he wanted, she thought. Earlier that day he came to the palace with the farm documents alongside Anthonio's financial statement for the month. Isabella sneaked into the court where the documents were to take a look at them and know what her uncle Rolando was planning. However, she wasn't successful as he caught her and in anger, he snatched the documents.

Isabella stood motionless for a couple of minutes before asking if she could be taken to the sight of the scene. The police officers obliged her, but seeing how disfigured her parents were from the accident, she cried even more.

Rolando, who did not go with her to the scene of the accident, stayed back to gather Anthonio's documents so that Isabella wouldn't get them before him. Isabella returned later with the policemen as they wanted to be sure she was fine. supported by her maid, she sluggishly entered her room, when the door was locked, she cried out loud that any passerby could hear her.

Anthonio Savoy the King of the Kingdom of Sicily is a very powerful and influential Italian man who amassed so much wealth. His father the late King had him and his brother Rolando, and by getting married to Princess Casia Borgia from the Kingdom of Fiorenza he became very powerful as the two Kingdoms united in power and wealth.

Known for their love story, Anthonio and Cassia were so fond of each other and they were blessed with the beautiful Princess Isabella.

The royal palace and its nobles admired them but Rolando his brother envied him because of his wealth and power. He wanted everything Anthonio owned including his wife.

Preparing for the royal assembly in the Kingdom of Alverona, Anthonio asked Cassia to pack their gift for the King of Alverona who has been so good to them. "I am set," Cassia said with a smile, "and I will have the stewards take this downstairs", she added.

The palace driver was in the car waiting while Anthonio was instructing Rolando on what to do in their absence. Cassia sat majestically at the back of the Limousine sipping champagne and wondering what the journey would look like, "Knock, Knock" she heard on the window and looking out it was Isabella who brought her favourite Lasagna dish made with perfection and love.

After bidding them goodbye, Isabella went to the driver and said "guida sicuro" (drive safe). Waving until she could no longer see the car. Isabella went back to her chambers with so much joy and excitement as the 'ritrovo reale' (royal gathering) her parents were attending would bring news of her betrothed.

Words came from Anthonio of their safe arrival. Meanwhile, Rolando was plotting to take over the throne in his brother's absence. Since Rolando was his only brother, Anthonio did not hide anything from him. Rolando had information about Anthonio's wealth and other information. He had a series of meetings to get audits of the King's assets.

Isabella felt very uncomfortable with the unending meetings, so she went to speak to the sorcerer and a lot was revealed to her. She was told about the sudden death of her parents, Rolando's mission and how she will be banished. "How can I stop it from happening?" she asked, "it can not be changed," replied Mara the sorcerer.

"How can this be?" she inquired, in reply, Mara told her it was a curse placed to punish your grandfather for giving the Kingship to Anthonio, his second son instead of Rolando. He was to continue making sacrifices to prevent these calamities but he stopped. "This revelation is not known to anyone except your late grandfather," she added.

"Where is the Princess?" Rolando repeatedly asked walking down the hallway, on seeing her, he looked at her with resentment he instructed her to open the upper chambers (Anthonio's bedroom). Confused as everyone else, she muttered "Mother left with it." "I will get it!" Rolando snapped and left.

After the news of her parent's death.

"Out of my way!" she said moving out of the palace with her car the next morning. She went to the hidden cottage located in Orivieto, where she and her parents hide when they want some alone time. Even Rolando did not know of this hidden house.

Entering the house sent a nostalgic feeling of sweetness and homeliness down her gut as she slumped into the sofa to shield herself from falling. She slowly slipped in and out of a troubled sleep as she cried all night.

"I will call the knights and stewards for a brief meeting," she said to herself as she stood up from the sofa energized.

"Oh it is getting late," she muttered quickly packing her bag, Isabella walked to the car and zoomed off almost in the manner she left the palace.

She slipped into her room quietly only to find the huge-looking creature in the dark far ahead staring at her. "Who are you?!" she asked and immediately the shadow of the person disappeared. Not minding what she just saw and trying to repress all the happenings, she slammed into her bed to sleep.