Chapter 2 Common Ground

"Not the Princess, she is too innocent for the act, " the stewards gossiped close to her room door.

Hearing this, Isabella slipped out of bed, wondering what they were speaking of.

She quickly packed her curly brown hair with a clip, though not neatly, as she hurried downstairs to understand what was happening.

Pushing away the stewards who came to wait on her, Isabella saw everyone staring at her.

Wondering why there was so much chaos and noise in the palace, Isabella stood motionless until Simeon, her trusted steward, came to hold her hands, saying, "My Princess, Rolando announced to us that you have a hand in the death of your parents."

With eyes filled with tears, she said "Thank you, Simeon". Walking towards the courtyard she remembered everything the sorcerer said and she cried out loud.

Rolando, some of his knights and noblemen marched to the courtyard to speak to Isabella. "You are a disgrace to this palace and humanity, how could you have done such a thing to my brother and his wife?" Rolando spitted.

Rolando instructed the stewards to gather Isabella's belongings. Isabella protested saying "I do not know what you are talking about!" She cried as the knights pushed her out of the palace with her belongings leaving her with no inheritance except the little cottage in the next Kingdom which no one knew of.

It was a dark day for them in the palace as Rolando assumed the throne. He instructed them to start planning for the burial ceremony of his brother, the late King and his wife.

...

"l don't want to be served in that manner" Christiano snapped, "now give me the car keys," he said stretching out his hand. Looking confused, Matteo gave Christiano the car key, stepping out of the way.

"Oh Lord," Christiano sighed, stepped onto the porch and zoomed off.

Christiano Giovanni from the Kingdom of Aurendale is the only heir to the throne, he had everything he wanted growing up, but he was a child who loved sharing his life with other people while keeping it simple.

Pulling over at the garage he walked into the vacation house located off the Kingdom of Tirenhall, about two kilometers from his Kingdom in the small town - Orivieto. This is a place of comfort and peace from the day-to-day service of stewards and maids.

"Who will I get married to?" he thought to himself as his father was getting impatient about the topic.

Christiano who is a very humble young energetic man decided to marry for love. So instead of living in the palace, he went to the vacation house to stay, which always prompted worship and extra service from the stewards whenever he was back home to the palace.

Mapping out his plan Christiano decided to visit eateries regularly, wine bars, and sports places. He started jogging around his neighborhood daily as no one knew him or his status. All in the effort to find his one true love.

The lady should look innocent, young, beautiful and fun to be with, he wrote on his notepad; while thinking about her hair color, her eyes and skin tone, he chuckled.

The thought of looking for a wife for true love made him wonder if he had done anything more difficult in his business, education or other achievements. "To me, all my achievements are pieces of cake compared to looking for the one," he chuckled and smiled while sipping his coffee at a café.

Immediately, his cell phone rang, taking his eyes to the phone he saw Carlo's call and remembered their appointment. "Oh am late" he muttered, immediately he went to the car and zoomed off to meet with Carlos at the wine bar.

Carlos Santos is Christiano's best friend from childhood. He had Christiano's back always and was present in all his public and private dealings.

Carlos practically worked for Christiano, not in a boss-and-employee way but in a friend-working-for-friend way. They had each other's back and their friendship is twenty years and counting.

"Sorry I'm late Carlos," said Christiano as he sat down to order wine for two. "I was thinking about the project I spoke about over the phone," Christiano said lifting his eyes with so much joy and enthusiasm.

Wondering what this project might be, Carlos said patting Christiano on the back, "I know you too well Christiano. Once you think you get it, let it out already"

Christiano'

"Carlos, do you remember how Alberto married only to find out his wife came in for the money?"

"Also how Acento our other classmate married the lady from New York only to notice she cared more about his firm?"

"Carlos Santos, I Christiano Giovanni," he said standing up with his right hand on his chest, "wants to marry the woman of my dreams." "I am marrying for love and this is the project I spoke about." Both of them laughed out loud, shaking their hands.

"Christiano, I have never seen you like this. With so much emotion and assurance", Carlos said sipping his wine. He added, "We will surely achieve this goal".

"So what is the plan?" Carlos asked

"Here", Christiano said pointing at the notepad, "Read this" he said quickly.

Carlos collected the notepad from him to read what he had written, and with amazement he said affirmatively "We can surely find her but I hope you have fun with this process?'' "Oh yes!"

Christiano said.

"First, I need to change my wardrobe to tone down my dress to fit this small town. How do we get a store to shop Carlos?" Christiano inquired.

"I know of some places down the street", Carlos said. "Let's get going when you are done", Christiano said, leaving a ten-dollar note under his wine glass.

Hardly had he finished talking, Christiano raised his head to see a beautiful-looking charming damsel who also came to cool off. Sitting down with her shiny-looking lap slightly exposed, she ordered a glass of wine. Christiano froze at the sight of this lady.

Carlos watched as his friend moved from being in control to almost losing hold of himself. Tapping Christiano, Carlos managed to tell him "Shall we?"

While sitting in the car Carlos inquired "Who is that lady?"