Chapter 3

"It's too risky."

"You worry too much."

"For good reason… my career is on the line here."

"How much trouble can two girls be?"

"I don't know, that's the trouble."

"Anyway, it's too late to back down now. There's too much at stake here."

"You're being reckless as usual."

"I'm too old to change now, Gunther. I have waited too long for this... I'm not walking away from this when I'm this close."

A car from the Maltovian embassy came for Nodame. The head of the prince's security detail, who looked surprisingly young, had personally come to escort her there himself. He introduced himself as Albert Bethstein and greeted her in French, which took her by surprise momentarily. After chatting to her in French for a while, he switched to an extremely fluent English.

"A contact of mine remembers you from the Paris Conservatoire, Miss Noda. He says you are quite the pianist."

"He's very kind." Has he been checking up on me?

"Are you from France, Mr Bethstein?"

"I suppose you could say that. I lived there most of my life."

"Do you miss it?"

"Sometimes…"

"I like Paris… I spent some of my best years there." Nodame commented nostalgically.

"So what brings you to Rome?" He asked.

"My fiancé… I suppose… He's conducting the Santa Cecilia Academy of Rome Orchestra on the weekend for the special royal performance."

He nodded as if he already knew the facts but was just simply making conversation. He's being thorough I suppose.

"How do you like Rome so far?"

"It's wonderful… although I haven't seen as much of it as I would like. I've mostly been watching rehearsals."

"The princess comes here regularly. She loves it here."

"I don't blame her. I can see why it's thought to be one of the most romantic cities in the world."

"Romantic? I suppose…" He seemed distracted. "She seems to like you."

"I hope so… I like her too."

"I'm glad she has someone to talk to. Being a princess is such a lonely life." He seemed to be speaking more personally than one would expect from a staff member.

"I can imagine." Is he…

Further speculations about Mr Bethstein's interest in the princess were cut off by their eventual arrival at the Maltovian embassy. Compared to the more spectacular architecture that she had seen around the city, Nodame thought that there was something unassuming about the embassy itself. The style and structure resembled the Farnese Palace, which was designed and built during the High Renaissance period but inside, it looked more like an English Georgian mansion. This made her feel less intimidated and more at ease with her new surroundings.

She was led to a large drawing room and was asked to wait there by Bethstein.

"Their highnesses should be with you shortly. I'll have to leave you to attend to other duties."

"Thank you, Mr Bethstein. It was nice meeting you."

"It was good meeting you too, Miss Noda." It was the first time she'd seen him smile and Nodame thought he looked extremely attractive.

She moved around the room and sat herself down on a Chippendale style splat chair. No sooner had she done so, Prince Maximillian himself came to welcome her and expressed his gratitude for her taking the time to come.

"It is I who is honoured, your highness."

"Marina will join us shortly but she's cleaning up. She's made a cake."

"She cooks?! That's wonderful."

"Marina got that from her mother. It is good to see her showing some interest in that side of things again." His voiced trailed off but then mastered himself. "She seems much more cheerful since last night. I've been so worried about her. She hasn't been the same since her mother died. It's hard for her… being the Crown Princess but for the most part, she's done a stellar job."

"She's a lot more mature than I was, at her age. I salute her." Actually, I don't think I've really matured all that much since then.

"She's certainly taken to you and I, for one, am grateful."

"I'm glad to be of service, your highness."

They were interrupted by a member of the embassy staff, a Mr Weiler, who informed the prince that there was a phone call for him from the Crown Prince of Japan. Prince Maximillian excused himself and went to take the call.

Left to her own devices, Nodame wandered around the room, which was simply but elegantly furnished. The Steinway tucked in the corner caught her eye which motivated her to stroll across to it. When she sat down at the Steinway, she saw that she had a splendid view of the back garden from the nearby window. Lined up all throughout much of the garden were row after row of the most spectacular-looking rose bushes. It was a rare sight for Nodame who drank it in.

"My mother planted those… years ago… She loved them like they were her children and insisted that they be cared for as such. She loved Rome, so she used to come here at least once a year."

"Your highness…" Nodame could see the tears sparkling in her eyes.

"I miss her…" She cast a faraway look and then remembered she wasn't alone. "But come, Nodame, you must play me something."

"What can I play for the Princess of Maltovia?"

"Our cousin, Boris, raved on about your performance of La Campanella. He said it was one of the best he'd ever heard. I'd love to hear it."

"As you wish."

Chiaki was wondering how Nodame was getting on. Her first encounter with royalty appeared to be a resounding success. She seemed exceedingly excited when she left. Too excited, he thought. These emerging feelings he was experiencing was playing havoc on his ability to concentrate and now with her absent, he started to recall many of his past insecurities. He brushed them off immediately and reminded himself that it was unfair of him to expect her to be attending rehearsals the entire time she was in Rome.

It's good that she's made a friend. I should be happy for her. At least we'll be having dinner together tonight.

She had only been gone an hour and he was missing her already.

"Nodame, that was… fantastic…" The princess looked at Nodame in awe and searched in vain for the right words to express how she felt. "Our cousin was right… you are a brilliant pianist. I really hope that you visit us in Maltovia. You'll be most welcome, especially by me."

"Absolutely but only after the wedding though." Nodame reminded the princess.

"Of course. Come with me and let me show you the rest of this place before we have lunch."

"Maltovia is a principality lying slightly to the northeast of the Black Sea. Not too many have heard of it outside of the countries that surround us."

"Is it in Europe?"

"Of course, but just. Most of our people can claim European ancestry although Asia is not too far from our eastern frontier." The princess was giving Nodame a bit of background about the country she had heard mentioned so much in the last 12 hours but knew so little about.

Walking further along the hallway, the princess acted as something of a tour guide, pointing to artifacts that were of interest along the way.

"This is a portrait of my mother, Princess Clarisse, painted not long after she married father. She was about 23 then. " Princess Marina pointed to the large portrait hanging in the hallway. "This family portrait was taken a year before she died." She pointed to a smaller frame next to the one before.

"You look a lot like her, your highness."

"That's what most people say but I think she was more beautiful."

"She was beautiful… most definitely… but there's something almost sad about those eyes." Nodame remarked, deep in thought.

"Do you think so?" The princess was surprised.

"Hmmm… like she's lost something very precious."

"That's interesting you should say that. I have never thought that and I've looked at it so many times."

"How did she die?"

"Cancer. She seemed to be getting better and then suddenly took a turn for the worst. It happened very quickly."

"I'm sorry… it's probably a painful memory for you."

"It was… but I'm glad now that she didn't have to suffer too much. That would've been worse."

"The necklace that she's wearing in that portrait looks impressive."

"Ah, that is the Fire of Maltovia. It's been in our family for 5 generations. Lovely, isn't it? Wait till you actually see the stone, it is a thing of beauty. It's not as well known as the Pumpkin Diamond but it is one of the largest Fancy Vivid Orange diamonds in the world. My father gave it to me my mother when they got engaged and I inherited it from her when she died. We had Sotheby's value it before mother's death and it was worth about $2 million then."

"Wow…" It makes my engagement ring seem like spare change.

"She only wore it on special occasions… I suppose I'll do the same."

"Was your mother… happy?" Nodame asked, her thoughts evidently still fixated on that portrait.

The princess gave it some consideration before speaking.

"I never thought she wasn't. I don't know… she seemed to be. She and father seemed content together so I naturally assumed that their marriage was a happy one."
"It probably was then."

"I'm not so sure… it's just that when you said that she had sad eyes it reminded me of something I had forgotten… something that happened when I was about 6 or 7. I'd hear her crying in the middle of the night. Father was away at the time and I'd sneak into the kitchen to find something to eat or drink. When I walked pass mother's room, she would be sobbing. She did that a number of times while I was a child. Then I went away to school in Switzerland and England so I don't know what happened after that.
"Father's a good man… I don't think she was crying because of something he did… Still, there are things that your parents never tell you."

"True enough." Nodame conceded. She had given the younger woman a great deal to think about and they both fell into thoughtful silence.

After some moments, Nodame broke the silence with a question. "You highness, your head of security… Albert Bethstein… is he your…" She hesitated.

Princess Marina nodded. "His mother's French and his father was Maltovian. I knew him slightly as a boy. His father was a general in the army. When his parents divorced, he went to live with his mother in France and trained as a police officer there. He came back to see his father when his father became quite ill quite suddenly. His father passed away not long afterwards.

"Father persuaded him to stay on to be part of our security detail. When our former chief died, he took over. Albert has been very kind to me especially after mother's… he understood, you see."

Nodame saw and threw her arms around the younger woman whose tears were falling fast. Two people united by grief… grief blossomed into understanding… and understanding into love. It wasn't too surprising – two lonely people finding comfort in one other's company.

"I'm so afraid… of telling father.. If he finds out, he might make Albert leave. I couldn't bear it. Even if we can't be together, I'd rather have him here than not at all." said the distraught princess.

Those sentiments resonated with Nodame. Once upon a time she was the same lovelorn girl, whose love seemed unrequited, not for want of trying on her part. But the object of her affections seemed impervious to all her attempts at winning his love. Now, they were to be married… it had been a long hard road, as she told the princess the previous night but worth every moment.

Her cell phone gave a light beeping noise and she dug around her handbag for it. Ah, a message from senpai: Need rescuing? Don't forget about dinner tonight.

Idiot… as if I will. She gave a smile and text back: Everything's fine. Haven't forgotten. She quickly slipped her phone into her coat pocket.

"Is everything alright, Nodame?" The princess looked at her curiously.

"Sorry, your highness, it's from senpai. He's worried that I've set the embassy on fire."

"Unlikely… he's probably more worried that we're not looking after you properly." The princess' mood had lightened. "I really envy you, Nodame… In spite of his busy schedule, he really does take good care of you."

He does. He always has even when I didn't think he cared. "I suppose so but sometimes I think he treats me like a child still. He worries when I don't eat enough, he worries when I eat too much. He worries when I practice too hard and he worries when I don't practice enough. I'm 28 and he treats me as if I'm still 18." Not that I don't give him cause to do so, of course.

"It sounds like he loves you very much."

Loves me? Very much? Maybe… although I've never heard him use those words. "Your Mr Bethstein does a good job of looking after you too. Gave me quite a grilling when he went to pick me up."

"He did? I'm going to reprimand him." The princess looked indignant.

"I was just joking. I'm sure he did a security check on me which he should. I could be a lunatic in disguise, with intent to set the place on fire."

"Nodame, from what I've heard, the only time you will set anything on fire is when you play the piano."

Nodame was distracted at lunch. Something that the princess said nagged at her. It didn't bother her in the past that senpai was reticent about expressing his feelings. She always knew deep down that he cared for her in his own way. So why did it bother her now that he'd never said it… said that… he loved her. Last night, he jokingly called her "the queen of my heart" which was the closest he had ever got to saying it. But she was beginning to feel strangely dissatisfied with playing in the fringes. Was it just a joke? Was she was just a habit with him… an obligation… was their engagement just the culmination of an unconventional 6 year relationship? It disturbed Nodame that there were these question marks surrounding their relationship -- yet unanswered. But then… He worries when I don't eat enough… he worries when I practice too hard… Isn't that what I told Princess Marina? Surely that should be proof enough that he does love me? He shouldn't have to prove anything to me any more… I should be more confident.

But Nodame wasn't confident and that was the trouble. Perhaps he's staying with me out of loyalty. Loyalty may have had been enough before but now...

Her mind wandered to more pleasant things... That kiss… from the previous night in the embassy… It was as if a different man had possessed his body and revealed himself to her, if only for a moment… She shuddered to think that there were facets to senpai that were closed to her. Just the thought that he would be deliberately withholding things from her, pained her.

Nodame sighed regretfully… even after all these years, there were still so many things about their relationship that were so puzzling.

Despite what she had said to the princess the previous night, she knew that Shinichi could have done better for himself. Much better… Unlike what Shinichi thought, Nodame wasn't completely oblivious to what the gossip mongers were saying. Insinuations about her lack of elegance abounded and yes, they stung. She herself didn't completely understand why he stuck by her all these years when he could have taken up with some glamourous type or with someone who would take care of him instead. She knew she wasn't especially beautiful or decorative… the kind of wife who would look better on the arm of a world famous conductor.

Was it just about the music? Was music all there was between them? These thoughts buzzed around her head likes bees in a honeycomb and stayed firmly at the back of her mind.

"So where are you getting married, Nodame?" Prince Maximillian was asking.

"Huh?…" Nodame was shaken out of her reverie. "I'm sorry, your highness. Could you repeat that please?

"I was wondering where you and Mr Chiaki are getting married?"

"Oh… in Tokyo and then in Paris… we still have many friends there."

"And where do you plan to live after that…"

"Probably in Europe, perhaps the United States… wherever the music takes us… I have commitments I need to fulfill with regard to the Tilburn."

"Hey, Nodame… are you still up for gelati?" Princess Marina asked, changing the subject.

"Absolutely."

"We should go now and make sure we get you home to Mr Chiaki safe and sound. It's the least we can do, considering that he kindly lent you out to us for the afternoon."

"Didn't you like your lunch?"

"I loved it."

"You didn't have much."

"Didn't I? I thought I did. I particularly liked the black forest cake you made."

"It's an old family recipe. Is everything alright, Nodame?" The princess quizzed.

"Everything's fine…"

"You seemed distracted."

"I was just thinking about different things, wondering if senpai is alright." was the glib answer.

"I'm sure he'll survive an afternoon without you." The princess gave a knowing smile.

"I'm sure he will. So where are we going?" Nodame asked quickly changing the subject.

"Our driver will take us to the café that I like to go to. Julian will follow us in another car… just in case… Julian's Albert's second in command."

"Oh ok… It's a lot of security just for a trip to a café."

"Yeah, but it's part of the deal that goes with being a future head of state."

"Of course."

Nodame had never been in a Rolls Royce before and looked forward to the experience. A tall, smartly dressed man wearing a pressed dark suit, cap and sunglasses opened the door for her. She nestled against the spacious velvet seats and stretched herself out luxuriously. I could get used to this. This holiday is turning out to be much more interesting than I thought. Even then thoughts of Chiaki were never very far away. It would've been nice if we could have experienced this together. At least I'll get to tell him all about it.

"So where are we going, your highness?" Nodame asked.

"A place called Rocco's, you'll love it. The manager's expecting us and he'll put together something special." The princess promised.

"It's great to have friends in high places." Nodame sighed.

"It does have its perks."

The two young women chatted inconsequentially for some minutes when the princess swung her head back to look outside

"Hmm.. there seems to be some kind of accident behind us. Anton, you missed the left turn at the last set of lights."

The driver did not respond. He merely kept on driving.

"Anton, what's going on?" The princess demanded. "Stop this car at once."

Still, there was no response from the driver.

Nodame went for the door closest to her but the doors had been centrally locked.

"I'll call Julian…" The princess went for her handbag and pulled out her cell phone.

The driver swung into an alley and slammed on the brakes.

"Put the phone down, your highness. You won't be calling anyone today." The princess looked up and saw herself at the end of a muzzle… of a pistol fitted with a silencer. Intimidated by an obvious and immediate threat, the princess lowered her phone and let it drop.

"What are you doing? Wait a minute… you're not Anton…"

"No, I'm not." The driver spoke coolly.

"Where's Anton…" The princess was beginning to have an inkling of the situation.

"He's somewhere safe."

"You… killed him…?

"I didn't need to." was his matter-of-fact answer. "I don't need to kill you either, your highness, but I will use this if I have to. The same goes for you too, Miss Noda."

Both women shrank back into their seats finally believing themselves in real jeopardy. Neither felt inclined to disbelieve the intentions of their kidnapper. Nodame saw that the princess was shaking and took her hand, giving a light squeeze.

"We're going to be fine." She tried to sound braver than she felt.

"Julian will know something's wrong…" Princess Marina muttered feebly.

"We've arranged for Mr Benton to have a little accident. If he's lucky, he may survive it."

"Who are you? Why are you doing this?" The princess was now distraught.

"You'll find out soon enough, your highness. Oh, there's one more thing… give me your phones, both of you."

"Let's break for 5 minutes everyone… It's gradually coming together." Chiaki stepped down from the podium. "If you survive me by the end of the week, we might actually have a performance on Saturday night."

That attempt at humour elicited a few chuckles and even more smiles. It was rare for the members of the orchestra to see this side of their guest conductor. Rarer still was the sound of the backhanded compliment that they had received.

Chiaki jumped off the stage and went to look for his satchel. I wonder if she sent me any messages since before lunch. Knowing her, probably not.

He strolled across to a slovenly pile that consisted largely of books and papers. Just as he was about to reach for his satchel underneath it, he felt a tap on the shoulders.

Turning around, he saw a young man about his age looking grave and anxious.

"Mr Chiaki… My name is Albert Bethstein." He flashed his identification and spoke with a great deal of urgency. "I'm the team leader of the Maltovian security detail. Can I speak to you privately for a minute?"

Maltovian security detail?

"What's this about?"

"It's about the princess and Miss Noda."

"Is everything alright?" A feeling of dread was setting in the pit of his stomach.

"That's what we'd like to know."

"Huh?"

"This afternoon, they were both supposed to be at Rocco's café for dessert but they never arrived. Two of my best men, who was supposed to be following them in another car, was in an accident with a stolen semi-trailer. They're both barely alive. Both sustained multiple fracture wounds and are in a critical condition.

Chiaki staggered to a nearby seat and collapsed limply into it.

"The ladies… they're missing?" He spoke in a voice that was not his own. Nodame's gone missing?

"I was wondering if Miss Noda has been in touch with you at all."

"I was just about to find out." Chiaki went through his satchel and pulled out his phone. Flipping it open, he commented quietly, "Nothing… no messages. I've been in rehearsals all day. She did reply to one I sent at about half past eleven but beyond that, nothing."

"What was the message about?"

"I asked her if things were going well and if she remembered that we were having dinner together tonight. She replied that everything was well and that she hadn't forgotten. Here I'll show you."

"How was Miss Noda this morning… what kind of frame of mind was she in?"

"She was in high spirits… very excited actually. She was really looking forward to the visit." Chiaki recalled with great clarity the hug she had given before leaving and then thought about Bethstein's line of questioning, "You can't possibly think…"

"I'm not thinking anything at this stage but I need to ask the questions."

Chiaki nodded numbly.

Bethstein's phone rang and he took the call. After speaking some moments, he hung up and proceeded to pull out a card from his wallet. "Mr Chiaki, I've got to go now but if you think of anything or hear from Miss Noda, please be sure to contact me right away."

"I will." Chiaki assented… his mind a whirlwind of questions and fears. "Mr Bethstein, can you please do the same and keep me posted on any further developments?"

Bethstein nodded as he hurried off leaving Chiaki alone to gather this thoughts. His mind was struggling to apprehend what he had just heard. She couldn't be missing… something in him was obstinately resisting the thought. We were going to have dinner together. He could see her in his mind's eye… this morning, she had been here, effervescent and babbling eagerly. He recalled the previous night… she, in that light blue dress which fell along the lines of her body curves. He wanted so much to dwell on that.

Author's Note: Maltovia was the invention of W E Johns, the author of the famous "Biggles" books. He used it only once (to my knowledge) in Biggles Goes to War

The Pumpkin Diamond is the largest Fancy Vivid Orange diamond in the world owned by the House of Winston. It was named thus as Ronald Winston purchased it the day before Halloween. The Fire of Maltovia is, of course, a mere fabrication for the purpose of this story.

Many thanks to my husband also for acting as my sounding board as I nervously tread into unknown territory. As usual I would appreciate any comments that anyone would care to make.