An Unexpected Visitor

Chapter Two

With Luigi tired out from walking, he soon forfeited the game of tag. As darkness fell, the two went back inside the castle.
"Would you like to join us for dinner, Luigi?" Sofia asked.
"Oh, I don't want to impose..." Luigi mumbled.
"It's okay." Sofia smiled. "We always have plenty of room, and lots of really good food."
Luigi's stomach rumbled.
"Call that a 'yes'." he joked.
Sofia and Luigi joined the others for dinner. Amber was still uneasy, throwing furtive looks Luigi's way all through the meal.
"Mmm, this is good." Luigi savored his food. "Best food I've ever had."
"I'll let our chef know." Roland chuckled. "He'll be glad to hear it."
"So, Luigi, how long are you planning on staying?" Miranda asked.
"Just a few days." Luigi shrugged. "That should be enough time to get to know my sister. Right, Sofia?"
"Right." Sofia nodded.
Amber glared at Luigi.
"This is great." James smiled. "Having another boy in the family. I was starting to feel a little outnumbered. Maybe tomorrow, you can meet the other princes and princesses at Royal Prep."
"Sounds good, James." Luigi smiled.
Amber surreptitiously nudged her spoon off the table.
"James, can you help me pick up my spoon?" She asked innocently.
"Don't you have another spoon, Amber?" James pointed out.
Amber went around the table to get James' spoon.
"James, you know full well that's the code for mom and dad's anniversary gift." She whispered. "We talked about it on the way home, remember?"
"Oops, sorry." James whispered.
"Just listen next time." Amber hissed.
"Here's your spoon, Amber." James said at regular volume.
"Thanks, James." Amber smiled.
"After dinner, Sofia and Luigi walked out together.
"I really want you to meet my other princess friends, Luigi." Sofia declared.
"Sure, Sofia." Luigi nodded. "Well, I'd better get back to my room at the inn."
"I won't hear of it." Roland interrupted. "You can stay here."
"I don't want to be a bother." Luigi said humbly.
"It's no bother at all." Miranda smiled. "We'll send a servant out to collect your belongings, and you can stay here for the duration of your visit. We have plenty of rooms to spare."
"Well, okay." Luigi shrugged.
"That's settled, then." Roland smiled. "Baileywick, please show Luigi to his room."
"At once, your majesty." Baileywick bowed. "Follow me, please."
Luigi followed Baileywick up the stairs.
Meanwhile, James and Amber were talking about the gift.
"What should we get them?" James asked. "A portrait?"
"That'd take too long to paint." Amber pointed out. "We need something simple, but meaningful."
"How about we sleep on it?" James suggested. "I'm bushed."
"Fine." Amber groaned. "We can talk about it tomorrow, on the way to school."

The next morning, the royal siblings were riding in the flying carriage towards Royal Prep. They were talking about the possible gift for Roland and Miranda.
"Maybe a painting is the way to go." Sofia suggested.
"But there is isn't enough time." Amber pointed out. "The anniversary is tomorrow."
"If we all work together, we can do it." Sofia countered. "And Luigi can help."
"Luigi?" James asked.
"Yeah." Sofia nodded. "He told me he's the best painter at his school."
"I don't know, Sofia..." Amber said, still unsure about Luigi.
"Come on, Amber." James urged. "Give the guy a chance."
"Okay, fine." Amber sighed. "We can ask him after school."
"Great." Sofia smiled.
They soon arrived at Royal Prep. At lunch, Sofia sat with Vivian.
"You really should meet my half-brother, Luigi." Sofia told Vivian. "He's really great. You'll like him."
"Maybe..." Vivian shrugged, still wary about meeting new people.
"It'll be fine." Sofia smiled. "Trust me."
"Okay, Sofia." Vivian smiled.
After school, the kids, with Vivian joining them, returned to the castle.
"Luigi, this is my friend, Vivian." Sofia introduced them.
"Pleased to meet you, little lady." Luigi smiled.
"Hello." Vivian said bashfully. "Sofia's told me a lot about you."
"And she's told me a lot about you." Luigi declared. Isn't this nice? It's like we know each other already."
"I guess so." Vivian smiled nervously.

After Vivian went home, Sofia, James and Amber spoke with Luigi in his room.
"Luigi, we need your help." Sofia declared..
"Sure." Luigi smiled. "What's up, sis?"
"You know how you said last night that you're in the best in your class at painting?" Sofia reminded him.
"Yeah, so?" Luigi asked.
"We need you to help us up paint a picture." Amber told him. "As a gift for mom and dad's anniversary."
"I'd be glad to." Luigi smiled.
Just then, Baileywick entered the room.
"Dinner will be ready in five minutes, everyone." He announced.
"Thanks, Baileywick." James nodded.
Sofia waited until Baileywick left the room before she started talking again.
"We can work on it after dinner." She suggested.
"Fine with me." Luigi shrugged. "I work better on a full stomach, anyway."
During dinner, Luigi asked a question he had been wondering about.
"So, when exactly did you come to the castle, sis?" He asked.
"A few days after the wedding." Sofia declared.
"I'd like to stay for that, but mom wants me home by the day after tomorrow." Luigi noted.
"That's okay." Sofia smiled. "There's always next year."
After dinner, the young ones quietly made their way to Luigi's room, and started their painting collaboration.

"Where do we start?" James asked.
"Let's start it out with a picture of mom and dad." Amber suggested. "Then Luigi can add us to the picture."
"How about this?" Luigi stepped forward. "Amber and Sofia, you two draw a picture of your dad, and me and James can draw a picture of your mom."
"Got it." Sofia nodded.
Sofia and Amber left the room, followed soon after by Luigi and James. They convinced Roland and Miranda to pose for their portraits by telling them it was a school project. Once they had done their respective portraits, they returned to Luigi's room.
"Now what?" Amber asked.
"Now I use these portraits for reference, and put them into one picture." Luigi declared. "I'll be adding you all too, so get ready to pose."
"One of my favorite pastime's, as it happens." Amber smirked.
It took almost an hour for Luigi to finish his masterpiece.
"Done." He smiled.
"Great job, Luigi." Sofia smiled as she surveyed the portrait.
"You captured me perfectly." Amber gazed at her likeness.
"Nice job." James added.
"We'll keep this safely hidden until tomorrow." Sofia smiled. "Then we'll surprise mom and dad with it at the party."
The next afternoon, the anniversary party began. Relatives and visiting royalty alike were giving Roland and Miranda gifts to commemorate the occasion. Before long, the kids decided it was their turn.
"We had this made for you." Sofia unfurled the portrait.
"This is wonderful!" Miranda smiled.
"Luigi put it together." Sofia smiled.
"Thank you, Luigi." Roland smiled.
"You're welcome." Luigi nodded.