The Don's Unexpected Princess.

Risotto and a twist.

Once we got back to the mansion , I spent the rest of my day in bed whilst Marco has a few maids hang up my clothes and back away the shoes . They took a while hour to do that task and I couldn' t blame them . There was a lot of stuff to pack away . They quietly exited the room when they were done and I immediately fell of to sleep .

It was only now , due to the sound of a soft knock against the door , that drew me awake . A tall maid entered , one I recognised for earlier, poked her head into the room with a polite smile on her face . " Dinner is served , Princess . Capo gave me instructions to see to it that you eat . " She said implying that she was only disturbing me because of the orders she was given.

I yawned , in a very unprincess - like manner , and saw her look at me in disapproval . So , I quickly closed my mouth and sat upright . I wanted to tell her to go , that she did not have to wait for me but then I realised that I didn' t know where the kitchen or dining room would be .

Kicking my legs of the bed and onto the cool floor , I finally got up and decided to freshen up a little . You know , gargle my mouth , relieve myself and my bladder , comb my hair too . I got going with that , the maid just patiently waited by the door for me to be done .

I was still a little full from lunch, that pasta was thee most delicious thing I have eaten in years . Maybe that' s why I slept like a log with a full belly . However , it was dinner time and who know if I could get food later on .

It wasn' t too long until I was done . I doubt dinner would require me to dress up but then again , I didn' t want to go down in my crumpled clothes . That would just give Marco a reason to pick on me .

" Capo won' t be at dinner . In case you' re wondering . " Looks like the maid saw my little internal battle . " It' s just you . The men will eat later . They are currently in a meeting . " I nodded , thankful that it would just be me . I really wasn' t in the mood for company tonight .

Soon enough , I was descending the stairs . The maid led me through the back and into the hallway where I saw Dino and Vanni go through last night . The more of the mansion I saw , I was always impressed by the interior . The hallway wasn't just any odd hallways . It had crystal chandeliers hung up on it . The floor was carpeted but not one spec of dirt or dust was visible on it . The overall color and interior of the bottoms floor of this mansion were tones of white and grey and black . The black was added into the space by hardware like metal fittings and the protective rails on the stairs .

" Do you want to dine in the kitchen or properly at the dining table ? " The maid asked uneasily as if I would lash out at her for asking such a question .

I shook my head lightly . It would only be me . Why put them through all the hassle of a formal dining setting . " The kitchen would be just fine . Thank you . " I smiled at her and her shoulders relaxed .

She then lead me to the first door on our left . There was a little circular table at the far end of the room away from the working space . A few maids moved about the kitchen in an orderly manner . They did stare at me sneakily as I settled into the chair . The table was set neatly for one with a water glass and a wine glass placed next to each other .

It wasn' t even a moment later that a covered plate was set in front of me by a different kitchen maid who was much younger than the one who called me down to eat . I really needed to ask them what their names were .

" Mushroom risotto for the princess . " She said enthusiastically with all the other kitchen staff looking like they wanted me to be impressed and I was . The smell that filled my nose was so good . I instantly began salivating .

I hadn' t had mushroom risotto in years really and it always had been one of my favourite foods . I reached for the spoon and excitedly had a taste .

Ahhh the savory notes of herbs and pungent flavor of mushrooms with a hint of spice went so well together . " Mmm , this is really delicious . I hadn' t had risotto in years and this makes up for all of that time . " I heard the sigh of relief from all of them and wanted to giggle .

I guess they had assumed that me being royalty would require them to treat me all prim and proper . They left me to eat in peace but every so often , I would head hushed whispers and soft laughs . I even caught a two of them staring at me while I ate .

Deciding to let it go and eat the last of what was left of on my plate but then another hushed whisper and a glance in my direction .

I turned to face them , setting my spoon down and they all went straight faced . " Is something wrong ? " No one answered for a long while until the maid , who served me my dinner, was nudged forward to speak on behalf of all of them .

" I I - we would like to ask you about something we heard you are proficient in , if that would be okay with you . " She stattered on her words , her hands were knotted in front of her in uneasiness . My god , did they think I was a spoilt bratty princess ?

I smiled at her , feeling like that was the only way I could begin to clear their misconceptions . " Of course and please , do not feel the need to be guarded around me . " All at once , they sighed in relief and I bit back a laugh . But first , please tell me your names . " I couldn' t keep refering to them as maids and I would be here for a while .

There was seven of them . Janice , the maid that called me from my room for dinner . Maria, the maid that served me dinner . Greta , the cook . Beatrice , who was the tallest from them all . Lucia , who displayed the brightest smile as she introduced herself . Finally , there was Camilla and Bianca .

Maria , still standing closer to me than the rest of the women , opened her mouth to speak . " We want you to show us how you belly dance . None of us have witnessed it first hand but we do know that the Princepessa knows how to dance exquisitely . " I frowned at that , how would they know such a thing ? " So ? Will you dance for us ? " She asked softly with a slight wavering in her voice like she was afraid that she' d overstepped .

I grinned and then looked to her curiously . " How do you know I belly dance ? " Immediately , they wore a blush in their faces .

" We heard Capo and Alesso discussing the matter at dinner a week ago when they discovered where you were hiding out . " Ahhh that made sense . Well , I guess it was time to belly dance . At least doing that would bring me some semblance of joy .

" Ahh I see . Okay , I will show you . " I rose to my feet and Janice scurried behind the cabinet , making quite a racket too . She appeared a moment later with something wrapped in tissue paper .

" Here , " she said , handing me the little parcel in her hand . " I found it in your room , mended it and had it washed . " I pulled back the white paper to see my belly dancing costume . The very one I arrived her in .

I could hold back a chuckle at this point . Maybe my days here wouldn' t be that horrid after all . They ladies turned around so I could strip down and get changed . I told them to face me again once I was decent . I realised we had no music but they were all prepared . Beatrice motioned towards the small speaker they had and hooked it up to her phone . This was all so comical .

Fifteen minutes later , I was done . The ladies had clapped and whistled and cheered as I danced . They were really fascinated and excited at the same time . By the end of it , I doubt anyone of them was still skeptical about me or how they had to behave around me .

" That was amazing. Who thought you how to do this dance ? " Greta asked curiously .

I caught my breath and then answered her . " I had a ladies maid back at Esmond . Her sister taught her and she thought me in my free time . " That did bring back many memories of Miss Gigi teaching me patiently with all the laughing in between and silly jokes .

I yawned and rubber my eyes. I guess I was still a little jetlagged . " Ladies , I must go get some rest . Thank you for everything . " I said and they waved me off .

With that , I left , still dressed in my dancing clothes but , truth me told , it felt like the most familiar thing to me here . I exited the hallways outside the kitchen and made my way to the stairs but the sound of men's voices drew my attention . It was coming from the corridor on the left side of the stairs .

Obviously , I followed the voice until I stopped in front of a slightly opened door . " The Domartels are going to get impatient , Capo . " It sounded like Dino who spoke . The Domartels ? What would he have to do with those people ?

I carefully peaked in through the c***k of the door and it took me a while to focus my eyes because of how smokey the room was . " And when they do , I will show them that I have the diamond they seek . I' ve thought it through . " Marco spoke now, I couldn't spot him anywhere and assumed that he must be sitting further down . I could see Alesso and Dino but not Vanni .

" What if they choose to see their threats through , what then , Capo ? " Alesso asked this time .

There was silence but Marco spoke and when he did , his voice was vengeful and heavy . " Then we will gather up all of our men and slit open the Domartels throats . " The force of his words caused me to gasp very loudly and I instantly regretted it .

They all fell silent . Pin drop silent and my heart started pounding in my chest .

Shit . s**t . s**t .

" Who' s there ? " Vanni asked but I kept quite . I should run but my legs were frozen in place .

I heard footsteps approaching me and , soon enough , the door opened and a very surprised yet serious looking Alesso looked at me . His eyes told me that I was in trouble . That I didn' t understand the extent of my misdeed .

" Who is it , Alesso ? ! " Marco roared from inside the room . Alesso threw me an apologetic look before he answered his boss .

" It' s the Princepessa , Capo . " God damn it . Why did you not just mind your business and go to your room , Natalie . You i***t !