April 9, 1994

Caro diary,

I had to practically be dragged out of bed this morning, and surprisingly, it wasn't Damon who initiated it. It was Andria and Dante. It seemed really important to them that I went.

Finally, after I forced myself to get out of bed and dress, Andria put her hand in the center of my back and led me to the garage. She and I took my car, and Damon and Dante went in Damon's car.

"So," I asked her as we drove, "remember yesterday when Dante wanted you to tell me about your life, but you got distracted? Mia, I would like you to tell me now."

"All right, Mama," she said softly. "You were right about Katherine. She was another version of Grossmutter. When I was growing up, she basically treated me the same way that Grossmutter treated you. Finally, Uncle Johan found out about it and sent me to live with Nonno in Florence."

I nodded. "Who's Nonno? Yours or mine?"

"Mine."

That was smart of Johan, sending Mia to live with Giuseppe. It was probably good for him too, seeing as both of his sons as well as me were dead.

"And how was your life?"

"Oh, much better, thank you. Not a day went by where he didn't comment on how much you and I were alike and how that warmed his heart.

"Eventually, I learned what you did. The fighting, I mean. Sometimes when we went to town, I would see the ladylike women, and I would ask to be like that, but Nonno always told me no, that there were better ways to live."

I nodded. "And he was right, wasn't he?"

"Yes."

"Then, when I turned fifteen, Principe Marco came to town on a hunting trip. I was out riding my horse in the same area he was hunting in. Eventually, it began to storm and when thunder struck, it scared my horse and I was thrown to the ground. I lost consciousness soon afterward. The next thing I remember is waking up in one of the palace guest rooms with the Prince and some of his men watching over me. He told me that they had been keeping watch over me all night.

"Well, I thanked him of course, and told him I would no longer abuse his hospitality. To my surprise, he looked at me, and said not to be ridiculous, that I could stay as long as I wished.

I said, "I beg your pardon, your highness, but I do not understand."

Then, he got a mischievous glint in his eye. "Remember when you were a young girl learning fencing?"

I nodded.

"Well, do you remember your instructor?"

"Well, Mama, I could only gasp. I couldn't believe it. The Prince had been my fencing instructor?"

I said that, and he only laughed. "That was when my brother was heir to the throne, my lady. I could do as I pleased then."

"I couldn't speak to him, or look him in the eye. Then, he took my hand.

"During those years I was teaching you to fence, I fell in love with you. You're beautiful and graceful. I love you. If it is not too much to ask of you, my lady, will you marry me?

"I swear Mama, that is what he said. That is how he proposed. Of course I said yes, and we were married the next month. Soon after, his father died, and we were crowned Re e Regina.

"I'm having trouble remembering more, though."

After Mia finished her story, I felt shocked. We arrived at the offices, and had our first session of therapy, but my brain was gone. Damon kept looking at me strangely. Finally, I managed to hear some of Alaric's words.

"I think all of you should go back to Florence for a bit. Maybe that will bring something back."

We all decided that was a good idea, and once we got back, Damon booked the tickets. We leave tomorrow, bright and early.

Fino A Firenze,

Selina