The Countess lifted her chin. ‘Not another word. I insist you take the day off. You need your rest. We have a big weekend ahead, after all.’
Horatio’s shoulders slumped. Olivia had never known anyone to be so against having a holiday.
‘Here, Horatio.’ Charles scooped up two of the bags, one in each hand. ‘Let me help you with these. I’m sure all your work will still be waiting for you tomorrow morning.’ With that, the adults made their way up to the house.
Olivia heard a familiar voice from inside the house: ‘Is that the Vegas I hear?’ Excitement bubbled up inside her. Prince Alex emerged in the doorway. ‘It is !’ He looked utterly royal in his tailored trousers and midnight-blue button-down shirt, but that was nothing compared to the girl beside him.
Ivy drew a sharp breath and Olivia knew exactly why. Their new friend Tessa waved from the mansion, as graceful as a movie star. There was no sign that she had ever been a serving girl. Olivia remembered when Tessa had been so shy that she’d nearly blended into the tapestries. But now, her eyes were bright and open and her mouth was curved into a soft smile. Her porcelain skin seemed to be lit from the inside. She was dazzling.
‘Wow, she’s beautiful,’ breathed Olivia. And so happy with Alex, she added in her head. Olivia was suddenly very glad that the saying ‘green with envy’ was only that – a saying – or else she was sure her face would have an olive tinge.
Tessa practically floated down the stairs. She reached out and grasped both girls’ hands. ‘I’m so glad to see you both. I was worried that since the wedding was so far away, you might not be able to make it, but here you are!’ She squeezed. ‘And Olivia, I saw your performance in The Groves. You were magnificent.’
‘Oh!’ exclaimed Olivia, startled by the mention of the movie. ‘Thank you, but,’ she said, quickly trying to shift subjects, ‘I’m much more excited about the wedding!’
Tessa pressed her hands to her heart. ‘Me too! And I’m so thrilled it’s going to be here !’ She glanced back, admiring the Lazar mansion.
‘Here?’ Olivia and Ivy asked in unison.
‘Er . . . not that we’re not pleased, too,’ said Ivy, ‘but why aren’t you having the wedding at the royal palace?’
Alex stepped forwards, putting his arm around Tessa’s slight shoulders. ‘Your grandparents’ manor is among the most romantic in all of Europe. It is said that, long ago, it was the scene of many romantic proposals and declarations of undying love, because this is where the Free Rose of Summer blooms.’
Ivy tilted her head. ‘I don’t think I’ve ever heard of that tradition and I’m a vamp, so I know my sister hasn’t.’
Olivia stuck out her tongue at Ivy.
Alex chuckled. ‘Then we will have to show you. I’m due to visit Wallachia Academy later today to go over some last-minute wedding plans with the school head, who is to be a witness at the wedding. But I should just have time . . . Come with me.’ He beckoned, and Olivia and Ivy followed him and Tessa across the lush grounds towards the back of the mansion.
On the other side was a beautiful green field. The group walked up to the crest of a hill that overlooked the blossoming Lazar garden with its colourful violets, tulips and lilies. Vampires, with their advanced horticultural skills, certainly did have green fingers!
Alex took Tessa’s hand and pointed down to the other side of the hill, where the land flattened into a blooming rose meadow. Olivia had never seen anything like it before. The garden was planted with beds of red, pink, yellow, peach, lavender, blue, purple and white. A huge greenhouse – bigger than Ivy’s home back in Franklin Grove – nestled on the edge of the meadow.
‘It’s fabulous,’ said Olivia, taking a deep breath of the fragrant air.
‘Like all flowers,’ said Alex, ‘these roses can live for years and years when aided by vampire cultivation techniques. But despite how strong and long-living these flowers are, at the very height of summer a fierce breeze blows through the grounds, plucking a single rose from the meadow and stealing it away. It happens every year.’
Olivia tried to imagine what that would look like, a single flower soaring through the air.
‘Of course,’ Alex went on, ‘no one has actually seen this occur for a long, long time, but it is said that the colour of the rose holds significance for any who witness it. For example, yellow means “new beginnings”, while lavender means “enchantment”.’
‘Almost all colours promise good fortune,’ added Tessa. ‘Except blue, which means “impossible love”.’
‘Impossible love does not exist,’ said Alex, sharing a meaningful look with Tessa. Even though their love had seemed impossible, it had worked out. Ivy and Olivia had convinced Tessa at the Valentine’s Ball this year that she could be with Alex and still stay true to herself. Together, she and Alex had overcome the odds and now they were getting married! Maybe Alex was right and no love was impossible.
But I know that’s not exactly true, Olivia thought, with a rueful pout. She forced her lips into a smile and hoped no one noticed.
Tessa rested her head on Alex’s shoulder. ‘I want our whole wedding day to be filled with flowers.’ Olivia sighed but didn’t speak, letting them enjoy their moment. Ivy rolled her eyes.
In silence, they all looked out at the rose meadow. It was hard not to feel a little starry-eyed with the combination of the view and Alex’s romantic superstition. Olivia’s breath had literally been taken away. She’d had no idea her family’s land was the site of such a beautiful and romantic legend.
‘Um, guys?’ Ivy stepped forwards, peering down the hill. ‘Isn’t this the hill I fell down last time we were here?’
Olivia burst out laughing. Leave it to her sister to puncture such a tender moment!
‘Well, with that parting thought . . .’ Alex’s eyes sparkled ‘ . . . we should probably be heading back to the house. There’s a lot to do before the big day!’ He and Tessa exchanged a loving smile, and Olivia found herself having to suppress another wistful sigh.
‘He’s right,’ Tessa agreed. ‘And we’ve stolen you from your grandparents for too long already. But, you two have to promise to come to my O Inima Sarbatoare.’