We have finally arrived in Italy. My ladies went off the ship first, then my guards followed. I can hear people cheering, a band playing, and the guards' horses neighing.

"Principessa Alexandra, il re ti sta aspettando"

(Princess Alexandra, the king is waiting for you.)

"Si Grazie"

(Yes, thank you.)

Someone knocked on my cabin door. "Yes, come in." I said

"Are you ready?" Belle asked."Uhm, just a minute, Belle." I answered

"Why? Is there something wrong? Do you need any help? " She asked, worringly.

"No need, I'm fine. I'm all good. " I smiled.

"Then what's stopping you from going out?" You do know that you are supposed to leave this ship, right? " She laughed, sarcastically.

"I know. Of course, it's just that... I'm not ready yet. "

"For what? The crowd? " I shook my head. "Italy?" she asked.

"Yes, it's a bigger country, with a larger population."

"But it's just another country." Belle said. "The thing is, it's the country that soon you will rule together with Marco." She added

"I know, but-"

"No buts, Alex," she cut me off. "Just like in Scotland." She smiled.

I let her escort me as I went down the ship off to the port, seeing my love welcoming me with a royal Italian band playing an enchanting rhythm.

He smiled and said, "Ciao, Alexandra."

I smiled and hugged him. "I've been waiting for your arrival here in Italy. I have also planned a welcome party at the castle. I missed you so much. " He whispered while we were hugging him.

"I missed you too, my love." I said as I let go of the hug.

He kissed me, then the crowd went wild. After a while, I got into my carriage with my ladies.

"Oh my lord!"

"I can't wait."

"I can't believe I'm here in Italy!"

"Good heavens, thank God we arrived safely."

"Calm yourselves, girls." I laughed as they were mesmerized by the experience.

"However, I can't wait to see what the distinction is between the Scottish and Italian courts."

"Hmm."

"Got me interested too."

"I bet it's a lot more modern like the English Court."

"And with a brighter shade painted onto the walls of the castle."

We laughed.

"I guess you guys are right." I nodded. "Italy is a lot more modern than Scotland because we are way more traditional than they are." I told them.

Ana peeked out of the window. "I see." She smiled.

We peeked out also, and at last. We have finally arrived at the castle.

"Come on, ladies!"

"We're here!"

"Oh, finally!"

As we got out of our carriage, the guard announced our arrival.

"The Princess of Scotland, Princess Alexandra Stuart de Valois, has arrived. Together with her ladies-in-waiting, Lady Isabel of Kinross, Lady Anastasia, Lady Antoinette, and Lady Rebekah, "

We were welcomed by the Queen Mother of Italy—Queen Isabella of Portugal, Princess of Spain, and Queen Mother of Italy.

"Spain? Alex?"

"Yes, Anne."

"Wait. What? "

"Marco is not only the King of Italy but has a bloodclaim as well for the thrones of Spain and Portugal." I explained to her.

"Really? How? "

"King Charles V became the King of Italy, Spain, and the Archduke of Austria."

"How come I haven't heard of that information?"

"It was a long time ago, the mid-1400s." I paused. "I guess? A bit at the same time as my parents' reign, "I added.

Queen Isabella came to us and gave each of us a hug.

"Oh hello, ladies! Welcome to Italy! "

"Good day, Queen Isabella."

"Oh Alexandra, it has been a long time since we saw each other and your mother too! God, I miss her. I should invite her soon." The Queen Mother said.

"Ah yes!"

"I heard that she's pregnant."

"Yes," I said, smiling.

"Thank God, another blessing will come to her! Well, I hope that her husband... Oh King Darnley... I'm sorry that I didn't show up to the wedding. I was busy at that time."

"I understand. There's no need to be concerned about that." I smiled.

"Shall we go inside already?" Marco butted in on our conversation.

"Ah yes, I forgot that we are still outside. Pardon me. " Queen Isabella apologized.

I laughed softly.

"Let us drink tea, ladies."

"Ah your majesty, thank you, but we have to fix our belongings." The ladies said

"Oh right! I forgot, I'm sorry. " She smiled at them. "Guards, kindly carry their bags upstairs." She ordered.

"The maids will lead you to your chambers. Also, you can call them in case you need assistance. " Marco smiled.

The Queen Mother led me to their dining hall. It was big like ours and was full of Italian cuisine and a buffet of bread and sweets.

"So what do you want? Any sweets? "

"Oh no, thank you. I'll just get a loaf of bread. " I politely declined.

"You don't eat sweets, dear?"

"She was into sweets before, mother, but she has this kind of sickness." Marco mentioned

"Disorder." I corrected him.

"Yes! That needs her to slow down with the chocolates." He continued

"Oh, is that so?"

"Yes", I nodded.

"I guess my son knows many things about you." She laughed.

"Mother..." Marco shyly said.

"He searched for you before." She said "He forgot that you're the daughter of Francis and Mary, who are both his father and my close friends." She added

"Oh really?" I said, as he blushed. "Eh yes..."

"I bet he's already feeling deeply embarrassed inside." Queen Isabella laughed at Marco.

"I should change the topic already. So how's Scotland? "

"Everything's great, your majesty. " I smiled.

"Oh, that's good news. How is your mother? "

"She's fine. I left her with my uncle-Lord James and Lady Greer. "

"How about your stepfather, Darnley?"

"To be honest, I don't like him for my mother. He may be the father of my sibling, yet I believe that he doesn't have the capability to be a father. " I said, frankly.

"Darling, you need to calm yourself. Here's your cup of tea. "

"Thank you, but he cheated on my mother. He said he would change, but he might do it again. I don't trust him. Even his own wife doesn't fully trust him. "

"I know that you think that he will never change, but Alex, you should at least consider looking at his good side. Plus, you can't do anything anymore because he's already the King of Scotland. The father of your sibling and the husband of your mother. "

"I know, but I just can't help but notice it because he's showing more of his bad side to everyone, including us."

"He may not be as perfect as your father, but maybe, just maybe, there are similarities between him and Francis that you haven't seen yet." The Queen Mother advised