Page 89 of Royally Roma
His expression was one of shock at first, but as his gaze took her in, a peacefulness seemed to settle over him. He even smiled. Just a little, but enough for her to notice.
He wasn’t angry. Clearly. Then what was this all about?
He continued, never taking his eyes off of her. “My mother was a remarkable woman who touched many lives and worked hard for her family and for her country. She had a special way with people and as such, she was loved very much, not just by her family, but by the world.”
All around Julia, reporters were scribbling down his every word, anxious for any bit of new information about Nico’s mother, the tragic princess who’d died before her time. And as she watched their pencils fly, she realized what was happening. Nico was revealing his mother’s story here, now, for a very specific reason. He was creating a story so big, so newsworthy, that no one would care to read about an old scandal involving the father of the crown prince’s new girlfriend.
He was doing this for her.
She couldn’t let him do it. She couldn’t stand by and watch him sacrifice himself, his family, and all of his secrets for her.
No, Nico. Don’t. Please. You don’t have to do this.
She bit her lip and shook her head, but he answered with the smallest of smiles and a nearly imperceptible but very firm nod, which told her that he’d made up his mind. Nothing she could do or say would change it.
“My mother had a tender heart, and as so often happens to tenderhearted people, hers was torn apart by the cruelty of the world and by circumstance, and in the end, her death wasn’t caused by a heart condition, but rather by her own hand.”
Julia waited for the assembled crowd to explode, but they were too stunned to make a sound. The king stared straight ahead. Off to Niccolo’s side, Piero and the royal bodyguards looked as though they were having a difficult time wrapping their heads around what their employer had just said.
Oh my God. No one knew. Not even Piero. I was the only one.
No one had been privy to Nico’s secret. He’d never told another soul. Until now. Until her.
Her heart hurt from the beauty of what he’d done for her. This was real. This was love. Love like she’d never known, in all its self-sacrificial glory.
Niccolo glanced at Julia, and in that briefest of moments, she could see the burden that he’d carried for so long fall away. He beckoned her forward, and without hesitation, she took her place beside him. There were no more doubts, no more fears. Just this man who she’d known for only a few days, but had somehow changed her world.
“Sei mio,”he whispered and pressed a reverent kiss to the back of her hand. And this time, it was true. She was his.
He gave her hand a gentle squeeze and addressed the press again. “Two days ago I met the woman beside me, Miss Julia Costa. She showed me the sights of your beautiful city and taught me a great deal about history, art, and the Roman people. She taught me even more about life and about love.”
Reporters stopped scribbling in their notepads. Even the shutters of the cameras stopped clicking. Nico had cast a spell over the people assembled, and they hung on his every word.
“Like my family, Miss Costa’s has had its difficulties. Those difficulties are in the past, and I ask that you respect the fact that Miss Costa has moved beyond these trials and tribulations. The palace in Lazaretto will be preparing a detailed statement regarding my mother and the events of the past.” He smiled, humble. Human. “I will not be available today for further comment, as that is a private matter. But within the next few days, I will sit down and address each and every inquiry surrounding the nature of her death. As for now, this concludes my statement. Are there any questions?”
There was an agonizing second of silence in which Julia wondered if perhaps this had all been a mistake, if she’d indeed ruined him. She couldn’t move, couldn’t breathe, while she waited for someone to react.
Please let them see him as I do. Please give him the respect and love he deserves.
It was a silly thing to wish for. She knew that. These were reporters, not friends or family. They were out for blood. Weren’t they always?
But to her astonishment, instead of screaming invasive questions or taking him to task for lying about the past...
Instead of saying anything at all, one by one, they began to applaud. They stood and clapped. Every single one of them.
Julia couldn’t believe her eyes.
Then above the din of the applause, came a voice. One question. Just one. “Your Highness, can we assume of all the places you’ve visited on this royal tour, that the Eternal City now has a special place in your heart? Might you even have a favorite?”
“You’re asking me to choose a favorite? The proper answer would be a diplomatic one.” Niccolo gave Julia a prolonged glance, and without taking his eyes off her, he said, “But the honest answer is Rome. Without a doubt, Rome. I’ll treasure every moment I’ve spent here—every footstep, every heartbeat, every breath—until the day I die.”