Illuminated by the light of the full Moon, I felt a little regret.
I could forgive myself for having escaped from the ballroom and having stretched out in the garden with such little elegance. And yes, even for sprawling on the bench like that.
However, I realized that I should have avoided laughing so loudly.
If they would have discovered me sitting in the garden with such a clumsy pose, I would have been forgiven – or perhaps they would have found it almost cute, a little whim – but bursting into laughter so loudly… that was just not right. Not that I was ashamed of the way I laughed, but the only ones from which I may accept to be heard were my family, servants and Mariywa.
That’s right.
[…]
Suddenly I realized, with great disappointment, that a child who I had never seen before was staring at me in silence.
Hidden as I was, I felt free to vent: the music which could be heard coming from the ballroom were covering my laughter, but by no means could afford me to be complacent. If someone would have approached, in fact, I would be discovered, since I am the only person around. So I kept under control the main entrance of the hall but, apparently, it has been not enough: I got distracted.
As I repented, the damage was done: I got discovered.
Of course it would have been better if it had not happened, but I decided to invent a Plan B to save the situation.
After having recovered a little attitude, I stood up and met the blue eyes of the child who kept looking at me bewildered.
<< Hello! My name is Christina Noir >>.
Although he had seen me laughing like that, I preferred to compose and maintain a regal attitude as I was addressing him for the first time.
My plan was simple. I was the daughter of the Duke and the gentleman in front of me had probably to be a young nobleman son of Counts or Marquesses, pretty much the same age, but socially inferior.
In other words, I would assert my aristocratic superiority to keep him quiet.
<< So, baby? >>
I scrutinized him from head to toe. I thought he would have had a few years less than me and this gave me even more confidence: I had to show him which one of us were commander.
<< You might not know, but my lineage, the Noir is one of the three ducal families left in this country. I am Christina Noir, sole heir, and in my veins flows blue blood: show me respect and reverence! >>.
<<ooh…>> , I was so proud of my interpretation. The little boy gave me a sincere applause.</ooh…>
<< Eheheh, you’re very young, but I see that you understand quickly. Good, very good, I like cute guys. But tell me, who are you? >>.
<< Ah, well… I… >>, intimidated by my presence, the child had forgot to show up.
You could see that he had not been educated properly and, in any case, nothing could stand against my genius.
<< My name is Charles Eduard. My pleasure! >>.
<< Ah! >>, I gave him a nervous smile.
<< And so you’d be Charles Eduard? >>.
<< Yes>>.
<< How so… Charles Eduard… >>, I kept smiling and repeating, nodding his name.
Suddenly I had an intuition, that little boy was a prince.
<< Ehmm.. really..? A-are you Charles Eduard..? Are you sure? >>.
<< Absolutely>>.
<< ……. Ah… I-I understand….. >>, I spoke those last words hesitantly, shocked by the discovery.
So, in summary: I was shown up by a prince in those attitudes so unfeminine and, as if it was not been enough, I also had been arrogant with him. Never mind that he was only five years old, one day, he would sit on the throne. My stupid plan B was just a time bomb: the only thing to do was laugh about it.
Yeah. Too bad that I could not do that either.
……
I turned my eyes to the heavens for help: the Moon, which until then have lit up the night, was obscured by clouds.
<< The Moon is hidden >>, said the child while following my gaze.
<< Yeah… I-It is..! >>.
Across the country there is only one family which bores that name: hiring him without right would involve a rather serious punishment, so there were no doubts that the child was actually Charles Eduard, a member of the richest and most powerful family of the whole kingdom and heir of His Majesty the King Gillick, founding father of our country.
<< Well, Charles Eduard. So you are Charles Eduard … >>.
<< Are you okay? >>.
<< Yes yes… pretty much >>.
Looking at him more carefully, you could have told right away that he was a prince with that blond hair and blue eyes, how could I have been so blind?
How immature I was, with my dumb behavior. By now I could have not been able to escape from this mess in which I had get into and, as Mariywa had taught me, I had to accept the bitter reality: my plan B has been a complete failure. The superiority with which I approached the child came back to me like a boomerang, hitting stronger.
Yet, I could still save the situation: my genius was preparing a plan C.
<< Look, Charles… >>.
<< Tell me, Lady Christina >>.
Arghh…!
A prince had just addressed to me with such extreme courtesy even calling me
lady
.
Why? Where was the deception?
<< I wanted to tell you something, but I’ll leave it aside for a moment: rather, why have you just called me
lady
? >>.
I preferred to speak to him with the same arrogant tone as before: a sudden change of attitude would have caused suspicion.
<< I’m sorry, but you’re the one telling me to treat you
with respect and reverence
… >>, he answered with an amazed expression.
<< Ah yes, true, I did >>.
In fact it was true.
That little boy kept to amaze me: he was still remembering perhaps the most impertinent words ever pronounced by me during my short life (seven years) and was even dropping to behave as I ordered. Was it a tactic to trick me? Still, it seemed so honest and pure.
I was afraid about my future.
The only one in front of which I had felt defeated after a brief exchange of words was, until now, just Mariywa.
<< Yes… yes it’s true, I did >>.
<< Yes, you did >>.
After Charles offensive I began to gnash my teeth: it was the second time after Mariywa in which I felt a bit in trouble, but I was not used to surrender at once. I remembered that I was good to receive the strokes and to defend myself.
Once having focused again my mind to the present, I embraced courage and looked at my enemy with confidence:
<< Look, Charles… >>.
<< Yes, Lady Christina? >>.
Stop it!!!
Although I was ready to retort sharply, from my mouth came a calm tone of voice.
<< Even if I’ve told you to do so before, could you please stop calling me
lady
? >>.
<< Why? >>.
Why? A simple question. I could still turn the game to my advantage. This formidable opponent never looks so unbeatable anymore!
…… May it not be a trap?
In front of his questioning look I felt some suspicion arising in me, but I forced myself to keep calm:
<< How why, Charles!!! In short, we’re friends, right? >> I replied, smiling innocently.
<< Friends? >>.
<< Of course! >>.
Charles had the reaction I was hoping for: he showed interested in what I had just said, and seemed to like the idea, although the last word was already to be said.
<< We are friends. Or rather, now we’ll become >>.
<< We’ll become? >>.
<< Of course! Being friends is a very beautiful thing, isn’t it? Between friends there are no differences in rank or age, you and I are equal, we are friends! >>.
<<ooooh…>>.</ooooh…>
I said these words opening my arms to emphasize the wonders of friendship, while Charles was watching with admiring eyes.
Excellent: I had his full attention. Now it was time to deliver the final blow:
<< If you agree, stop calling me lady. In fact, call me Cris! >>.
<< Okay, Cris!>>.
Charles was such a pure child.
Inside of me I was already savoring the victory, watching how Charles was enthusiastic of the idea that he had just made a friend. My strategy had proved a success: having declared friend of the prince, I couldn’t be accused of treason! At last, one last thing to do was remaining:
<< And.. one more thing, Charles … >>.
<< What, Cris? >>.
I put my finger to my lips, as if to indicate him to keep quiet:
<< What has just happened will be our secret! >>.
<< …… Secret? >>.
<< Yes, a secret. That we met here and everything else, it’s a secret >>.
<< Even the way you laugh before? >>.
<< That is TOP SECRET !!! >>.
He had just turned over the knife.
<< Then, do you agree? You must not tell anyone that we met here tonight >>.
<< …… And why? >>.
Charles lips were clamped.
I thought he was so doubtful because he really wanted to share with someone what had just happened: not mainly the witnessing of my awkward laugh, but rather to have made friendship with me.
By perfectly understanding the heart of the child, I winked:
<< How why? As a memory of our first meeting, right? Only you and I will guard this secret! >>.
At these words the eyes of Charles shone approval:
<< Okay! It will be our secret! >>.
Victory!!! Inside of my heart I silently applauded to myself and to the excellent performance just accomplished.
