Page 38 of Marrying a Prince

"So, what are we going to do today?" she asked, hoping to move her focus on to something other than how he was making her feel.

"Well, I know my mom has plans. But I was hoping we could play hooky—grab Clara and head up the coast. I can show you the beauty that Caro has to offer."

Marianna swallowed. That sounded amazing. She'd grown to love Clara overnight and spending the day with her and her handsome brother sounded better than sitting next to their judgy mom.

"So you'll come?" he asked. Her heart pounded at the hopeful hint to his voice.

She chewed her lip. "Sure."

He clapped his hands together. "Perfect. Clara will be so excited."

Marianna nodded as she followed after him. He led her down the stairs and over to the dining room, where people were milling around, filling their plates from the buffet that had been set up. Half of the people Marianna didn't recognize. Everyone else had been there in New York.

Thankfully, Clara was sitting at the table when Marianna had filled her plate and was looking for a spot. She'd rather hang out with the eight-year-old than any adult there. Well, she really wanted to be with Leo, but from the way Gisella was hanging onto his arm and laughing a bit too loud at what he was saying, Marianna knew that wasn't possible.

"We're going to the beach?" Clara asked, peering up at Marianna with hope in her gaze.

Marianna turned her attention back to her and smiled. "I think so. That's what your brother said."

Her smile grew wide as she shifted in her seat. It was as if her tiny body couldn't contain her excitement. "Oh, that's amazing. I hope you bury me in the sand. All the way up to my neck." She giggled as she gazed off into the distance.

"But mother, we are taking her," Leo's voice broke through the low murmur of voices. Everyone shushed and turned toward Leo and Mrs. DeLuca.

When Marianna glanced over, she saw Mrs. DeLuca's skin redden as she nodded toward everyone who was watching her. "My apologies. My son and I have something to discuss in the other room." She grabbed his arm and led him away.

Clara's sigh pulled Marianna's attention down. "We're not going to the beach. Mommy is mad at Leo. Again."

Marianna reached out and wrapped her arm around Clara's shoulders. "Sometimes that happens. Adults have a lot to do, and princes who are going to be king have a lot more to do."

That didn't seem to appease Clara. She just sat there with her shoulders rounded, pushing some food around on her plate. Marianna's heart went out to her. That poor little girl just wanted to have some fun. Something Marianna was sure didn't happen a lot. Not when her family was as busy as they were.

Marianna clapped her hands, hoping to redirect her frustration. "How about we finish breakfast and head upstairs. I'm sure there's a printer around here, and we can make ourselves some coloring pages. Do you like to color?"

Clara hesitated and peeked up at Marianna. "Can we get a Belle coloring page?"

"FromBeauty and the Beast?"

Clara nodded.

"Of course. I'm sure there are a lot."

That seemed to be what Clara needed to hear. She smiled and began shoveling eggs into her mouth. "Perfect," she said through the food.

Marianna patted her head and then moved to eat her breakfast.

Fifteen minutes later, Leo came back into the room, looking more frustrated than ever. Marianna wished she could go up to him and ask him what was wrong. To calm him down. She hated how stressed out he looked. How disappointed in his life he seemed. She wished there was something that she could say that would help ease his burden.

But she knew that was a joke. What did she know about running a country? All she could really do was encourage him to do his duty and help him laugh. It felt small and ridiculous, but she was going to do it to the best of her ability.

"Marianna?" Mrs. DeLuca said from behind her.

Marianna turned to see the queen standing a few feet away.

"Yeah?" Marianna asked, hoping she didn't have eggs in her teeth.

"We are sending you on a tour of Trieste today." Mrs. DeLuca reached over toward Horace who tore off a piece of paper and handed it to her. She studied it for a moment before passing it over to Marianna.

Marianna took it. She ran her gaze over it. This was an itinerary. Her entire day was planned down to the half hour. It didn't have her getting back until late that night.

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