Chapter 222 - Magnus, Say Yes, Please!

Alexa woke up swallowing her saliva, in a reflex movement.

But looking at her hands, there was nothing wrong with them, except that they itched a little. She was lying on the bed of the fortuneteller's wagon, and looking sideways, she saw her brother Iacintho near the table, feeding Romeo carefully.

Oh, poor Iacintho!

Trying to be pragmatic, if that were possible, she tried to push the issue that, as her brother said, was 'paralyzed', to another moment. She needed to ensure her connection to Alexander weakened enough. And it wouldn't be an unpleasant task! For the first time she really looked forward to it!

"Iacintho, what happened here during the day?"

Her brother looked up at her,

I think only the stars lined up correctly, for an important event, as I had studied days ago ... But it will be far from here. Maybe in Holstein? Now I can even better understand some planetary aspects ... Well, but as for earthly matters, during your time in Holstein, your Prince and I talked. He brought me up to date on the problems and reasons for this trip ... A strange man, he. I don't know if we will really be friends, but I can understand his resistance to me. He just accepts me for your sake, but keeps an eye on everything I do. Which is wise, in a way. I think it will help me more than it will hinder me. " He shrugged, putting Romeo in his palm with a smile.

Alexa ignored his last comment and jumped out of bed, running to Iacintho. She recklessly told the latest facts and her high stake in the pomegranate seed.

Iacintho listened without even blinking, which was a little unnerving, in fact.

"Um… I certainly need to know more about all of this, but this is an excellent theory. You need to connect your soul to another person, by an oath but ... Do you really want to have such a powerful bond with that Prince out there? Tonight, an oath you take will not be light, Alexa. Think about the consequences for your future lives."

"I know, my brother. But… as for future lives, I'll work it out when it's time. At that moment, I can only decide for this life. And I know what I want. Before I felt it was wrong, and so did he. But if he wants me, I want him too."

"So don't waste your time with me anymore, Alexa. Your choices and your future are out there," Iacintho stroked the nightingale's head and led him to the window, releasing him into the night.

Alexa hugged him tightly, despite her brother's protesting m.o.a.n, and kissed him on the cheek!

She was ready to go!

A delicious barbecue smell filled her nostrils, and Alexa filled her lungs with happiness! There was cheerful music and all the signs of life around her, and…

"OOOOPS!" Alexa almost tripped over a child who was sitting on the steps of the cart, but managed to balance and not hurt the little one. A very ruddy little boy smiled at her, and whispered,

"Princess, I'm on a secret mission! Come on!"

Intrigued, Alexa nodded, and looked around.

She saw that Captain Dubois was in a group of men, chatting animatedly. That was where the music came from, as she spotted a dark man playing the hurdy-gurdy* and another playing a small tambourine.

But she didn't see Magnus anywhere ... Uhn, she actually felt watched, and she was sure it was him spying on her.

He just couldn't find out where the Prince was!

'What is happening?' she wondered, following the little boy over the side of the cart.

Apparently they were getting out of the Prince's sight for some reason, Alexa concluded as the child guided her behind the wagons.

Then the boy met a girl several years older than him, and with a grin, he ended his mission,

"I brought her without anyone seeing!"

The girl nodded and tapped on a wagon window. The princess doubted they had been so sneaky. But she waited, expectantly, until the wagon door opened, and Paloma the Seer, and the giant Soraya came out of the carriage and surrounded her.

Alexa took a step back, fearful, not understanding anything anymore, let alone the huge smiles on their faces,

"What do you want?!" it had apparently been a bad idea to be convinced by a child's sweet smile. As always.

But Soraya said, slapping Alexa on the back that almost blew her lungs out,

"Calm down, Your Highness! Today is the day! Or rather, the night!"

"What are you talking about?" No one could blame her for being ready to run, could they?

"The Prince had his fortune told by Palomita here!" Soraya gestured to the woman with the veil, from whom only black eyes could be seen. "The Prince asked the oracles some questions. And guess what?"

"Why do I have to guess if I'm not exactly the oracle here?" Alexa asked, but now a little less alarmed.

And definitely interested in what they had to say. In a gossipy tone, she leaned forward with her best smile,

"But ... Since I can't guess, tell me ... What did he ask?"

"He's a smart man ... He knows how to ask questions ..." Paloma the Seer spoke, with a mysterious hiss.

Unlike the witches Alexa has been dealing with, Paloma's effort to look like a witch had a commercial aspect well known to Alexa from the East. No one would take her seriously if she was as charlatan as she looked.

And in fact, it was very good that they left Holstein just in time.

"Yes, sister, and what did he question?" she insisted, as Soraya pushed her into the wagon.

"Among other things, he asked when you would be ready for him," revealed the Fortuneteller.

"Uh? did he ask that?" Alexa could not imagine Magnus having the courage to ask this at a divination table ... But the thought brought her a smile. 'Is he that desperate?'

The achievement made her vain, and she chuckled to herself.

"Yes. And I saw… that you are ready."

"And did you tell him so?" Alexa worried. Was that why everyone was acting so weird? And ... What did that mean?

"I am a professional. I said the truth."

"...!" Alexa covered her mouth with both hands, and only then looked around.

The princess saw Mirna, sitting in a corner near a lamp, finishing sewing the hem of a dress, and on the other side, one of the triplets wore the needles at the other end.

"Your Highness," Mirna bowed appropriately when she saw her, "Women insist that you would like to dress extravagantly for the party today. Are you sure it's appropriate?"

For a brief, tiny moment, her mind was right for Mirna, but her heart was right for the women in the company of artists! Alexa nodded,

"Yes, Miss Mirna, it's more than adequate, it's what my heart desires!"

Mirna pondered for a moment, and shook her head in disbelief and acceptance, shrugging. Women celebrated!

"Yes! That man is yours, Your Highness! He's all yours!"

Soraya took the sheet from the top of a water tub, and splashed herbs over the water. The Princess couldn't tell whether she was smiling. But soon Alexa could not notice her anymore, as they were already undressing her for what would probably be her last maiden bath.

If Alexa knew that she would be scrubbed and kneaded, manipulated like a rye dough, it would have escaped the hand of women before.

She was bathed meticulously, combed, scented with fresh petals rubbed all over her body, and dressed. And they were all thrilled and delighted with the moment, which made Alexa even more nervous.

Well, why were they doing that, anyway? She hadn't even spoken to Magnus yet! Why were they all excited, giggling and chatting, and full of advice that Alexa couldn't even pay attention to?!

Outside, the music was more and more lively, and the children screamed for joy in their games. The men were in some kind of male racket, full of laughter and defiant exclamations.

Undoubtedly, the caravan excitement was contagious, and while one of the triplets capriciously placed a wreath of wildflowers on her head, and another closed the ribbons of the corset, Alexa was happy.

"Am I pretty?" she asked, liking how the green and purple tones of the vest and corset made the embroidered flower dress colorful and cheerful. There were no jewels.

The women nodded, and she saw in their eyes they were not lying.

It made her happy. Alexa was sure that Magnus would also be no different.

Tonight she didn't want to see the Prince, but Magnus.

He was just the opposite of everything she thought she saw on the first day she saw him. Except for the fact that he's handsome, of course.

'Hfff, here I am, completely silly as a silly girl of songs,' she thought, as the women left before her from the wagon, making way for Alexa to pass.

'What is it, a path of petals? Oh my God, no! Is happening!' Her feet stepped on the flower petals that made a trail to the center of the camp.

Torches lit the way, and ahead of her, she saw the group of men, and Magnus among them.