Chapter Four: A Royal Vest Fit for The Royal Wizard

As morning arrived in the Kingdom of Avalor, Mateo woke up with a spark in his heart and a sparkle in his eyes. Today was the day that will change his fate. Half asleep heading down the stairs in his pyjamas he rubbed his eyes as Rafa greeted him.

"Good Morning, you we're home late last night" she scoffed as one for order, Rafa liked to keep all her eggs in a row. But with her son being the Royal Wizard often changed her way of thinking.

"Sorry, Mami, I was busy making potions and then one spilled and Elena invited me to be her partner for the Valentines dance today and the day..." before Mateo could finish his sentence Rafa interrupted.

"The Crowned Princess asked you to be her partner!? My Mateo! Leading the dance! Mami is so proud, Mateo" Rafa was so proud of her son she wrapped her arms around him and squeezed him until he was choking on his breath.

"Mum, I can't breathe" Mateo said as he gulped for air.

"What will you wear? Oh we must go into town and pick out a vest for the big dance, come now, have breakfast then get changed and off to the markets we go!" Rafa so excited for her little Mateo all grown up, she hurried him along.

After finishing his breakfast he raced upstairs still rubbing the sleep out of his eyes, Rafa right on his tail making sure he wasn't 'dilly dallying' as she would often refer Mateo's lack of urgency.

Entering his bedroom while Rafa also began to get ready for their excursion to the Marketplace he closed the door behind himself as he leant back to catch his thoughts. Still torn in two about the possibility Elena's new found affection towards him was all Potion fuelled he felt deflated, however the other possibility of her actually feeling 100% genuine made his heart skip a beat.

Wandering over to get changed into his daily attire, Mateo picked up his signature white shirt with his green printed vest. As he was undressing he caught a beautiful aroma dance through his nostrils...looking over to his unmade bed he saw just the item that made him feel breathless and send tingles down his spine.

Even though he was technically 'off duty' he wanted to feel close to Elena so instead of his vest, shirt combo he put on his Wizard robe, instantly flooding his mind with memories of his embrace with the Crowned Princess in last night's expedition.

Making his bed and combing his hair, Mateo was ready to begin his day. Excited yet nervous about the dance later on that evening he was secretly enjoying the outing with his mother for his new outfit. He wanted more than anything to impress Miss Castillo Flores with his new vest.

Before they departed on their adventure picking out a new vest together, Rafa met Mateo at the front door with a judgmental look on her face. "Surely you are not going to wear your robe on this outing, Mateo?" Rafa smacked her lips in disapproval.

"Oh, um my shirt was dirty and this was on my dresser ready to go" Mateo looking around the house not making eye contact with his mother. There was no way he was going to tell his mum that he wanted to wear it because it smelt like Elena. Being a teenage boy he still felt embarrassed discussing his certain 'needs' and 'feelings' with his mum.

As both Rafa and Mateo were now ready for a shopping outing together they began looking at different shops within the Marketplace when a familiar voice began to get louder.

"Mateo! Mateo!" The Chief of the Castle was out of breath trying to catch up to the Royal Wizard.

Bent down huffing and puffing poor Armando was rapidly catching his breath as Mr De Alva caught up with him.

Before Mateo could ask if he was ok, Armando promptly waved a beautiful red raspberry coloured piece of material with pink trim in his face. "The Crowned Princess has asked you choose your outfit based on this fabric choice" he managed to get out as he panted away.

Feeling a whirlwind of importance and such love for the Princess to care enough to send a fabric sample so they can match he smiled as he helped Armando catch his breath and be on his way back to the Palace.

Mateo hardly had a chance to look at the sample when Rafa swiftly took it out his hands. She lead him over to the man at the counter and explained the deign she had in her mind for his custom made Vest – Mateo didn't mind one bit as his mother had excellent design skills for all his vest combos.

Measuring Mateo's physique while frantically writing down Rafa's design for the red and pink material, the man in the shop had his work cut out for him. As they went to the counter to pay, the man kindly said that Armando had already paid for it and he also added in a red sash to accompany the outfit as well as a gift wrapped up that said 'open me'. Curious as ever, Mateo took the gift back with him to open at home.

As the vest was being custom made, he had to return that evening to pick up along with his red sash. Both Rafa and Mateo were ever so grateful that Elena and her family had paid for the special outfit for him.

Arriving home Rafa was ever so anxious to see what the gift was that Mateo had to open. They both laughed and guessed on their journey back what the mystery item was. Rafa said she hoped it was Lusia's tamale recipe and Mateo said it was probably a signed picture of Esteban to wish him good fortune.

Sitting down with the gift in Mateo's hands he took a breath and unwrapped the box.

'Mateo,

This was given to our Lucia on her very first Valentines' Day Dance with Raul.

We hope this brings many good memories and adventures to come for you both as it did for them.

Francisco and Luisa Flores'

Speechless, Mateo held up the shining, red garnet pendant necklace shining in the sunlight that was wrapped in her late mother's handkerchief.

"Ohhh Mateo….." Rafa said softly as she put down the note from Francisco and Luisa. Putting her hand on her sons shoulder they both felt extremely honoured and emotional. Staring at the necklace glistening as it spun in his delicate fingers, Mateo pulled it close to his heart.

Tilting her head to the side, it was in that exact moment that Rafa knew her little boy had indeed fallen in love with the Crowned Princess.

Looking up at his mother, Rafa saw the tears filling her son's eyes. Tears of joy, happiness, appreciation…..love.

Although this was not her ideal view of how she wanted her son to progress in his future – being study first then love. All that changed when she saw how much Miss Castillo Flores meant to him.

After they shared a beautiful tender moment together, Rafa and Mateo both parted ways and continued with their day until he had to go back and pick up Mateo's Vest and Sash for the big dance.

Meanwhile back at the Palace, Elena was frantically pacing back and forth waiting for Armando's return.

As the Chief of the Castle returned from his adventure tracking down one Mr De Alva with a certain mission, Elena pounced on him asking 100 questions.

"Hey Armando, did you find Mateo? Did you give him the fabric? Did you make sure to pay for his outfit? What did Abuelo give you? Did he say anything about me? Is he coming in today?" she blurted out at the speed of light.

"Ummmmm Yes, Yes, Yes and it's a secret, No and I'm not too sure, Princess" Armando managed to answer as he was bailed up by the nosey Princess.

"Hmmmmm interesting…." She said as she was satisfied with the answers.

A sigh of relief as Armando snuck away to continue his duties.