“…There are circumstances. I’ll tell you because you’re my husband. I didn’t want to let you know,” Alana looked down at her and stared at her own hands. The tip of her finger trembled slightly.
“I was going to disappear from the world like this …. My hands look like ordinary hands, but I can’t move them much because of an injury I sustained six years ago. My late father forbade me to show it to the public. The only people who know about this hand’s immobility now are the doctors, the Duke of Urbano, his son Callisto.” And Benito, her secret agent.
“This hand cannot fasten a button. I have no strength in the tips of my fingers. I cannot even open heavy doors. I cannot eat unless I have my food cut into small pieces. I cannot write well because I shake. My signature that you see is by Callisto. Callisto has been my hand for the past six years. If I live, I will cause trouble to someone else’s hand. I have always wanted to free Callisto, but I am unable to do so. Please forgive him until my death.”
Emilio frowned at Alana. “The king has always hated the impossible. If there is a defect, he hides it for his own prestige. To let him know that he has an excellent pedigree both inside and outside.”
Alana nodded to his words. “However, this is not the case with you. It was widely known even before your injury that you were not physically strong. I heard that you never participated in any official events until you ascended to the throne. You never even stepped outside the castle. A princess is supposed to marry into a foreign royal family, but you were never engaged to anyone.” Alana remained silent in admission. Emilio continued. “Your father, the previous king, forbade the injury to your hand to come to light, not because he was ashamed of his daughter’s disability, but because he wanted to keep the cause of the injury a secret, didn’t he?
He grabbed Alana’s wrist. It was so sudden that her shoulders almost jumped.
“You had two older brothers. The dead eldest brother, Prince Raymond. And the missing second brother, Prince Juanito. Juanito disappeared six years ago … I wonder, does he have something to do with it?”
“I am not going to tell you about it, even if you are my husband.”
Luciano’s perfect lips ironically distorted. “You’re dying anyway. I don’t want to force you by asking. And I’m not interested either.”
Whilst stating his disinterest in the matter, he pulled Alana’s wrist and urged her to stand.
“But I can’t stand the thought of you exposing your skin to Callisto. You’re my wife, even if you’re not. I’m not going to play the foolish husband. If you can’t get a servant to do it, I’ll have to be your hand as long as you’re alive.”
Alana was taken aback by the sudden order, but she was careful not to show it on her face. She moved slowly to the edge of her bed and stood up slowly.
In the meantime, Emilio opened the wardrobe and took out a simple dress. He stood in front of Alana.
“Your clothes are all the same colours. White or cream, silver or gold, or lemon. I suppose it matches the colour of your hair and skin, is this a rule?”
As he spoke, he unbuttoned the ribbons and buttons of Alana’s nightgown. Soon, her white porcelain skin was revealed. When he dropped the nightgown, Alana was naked.
She wanted to hide her body, but she did not understand why she felt that way. She should be accustomed to people seeing her skin, but for some reason she did not want him to see it. For some reason, she was embarrassed by the pointy end of her chest. She was embarrassed by the pale colour of her breasts. She was also embarrassed by the thin platinum hairs on her private parts. But Alana was desperate not to show it on her face.
“There is no rule, but Callisto chooses and lets the seamstresses make them.”
“Are you Callisto? You don’t seem to wear underwear.”
“In my room, I don’t.”
“Is that what Callisto decided? Since, six years ago?”
Emilio’s violet eyes narrowed at her acknowledgment.
“Rather than he’s devoting himself to you, you’re the doll he wants. I was told by him when I became your husband. When I’m involved with you, I have to go through him. He was the only one who knew your mood. He forbade me to have sexual intercourse with you, or with any man for that matter.”
“You were told, weren’t you? Rethink your marriage. After you get married, say goodbye to Baron Barcelo or ban him.”
Alana looked away, and that was the answer he needed. He nodded, convinced.
“I assume Callisto will be here soon to change your clothes?”
Emilio placed his hand on Alana’s bare shoulder.