Page 87 of Royally Matched
“Wonderful. Wonderful,” Dr. Esposito exclaims, rubbing his hands together. “Did you bring the scroll?”
“It’s in the car,” Marco explains. “I can go and get it now if you like?”
Dr. Esposito looks appalled. “Now? Can’t you see? It’s the town’s summer festival. Everywhere, people are celebrating.”
Frustration twists in my chest. “But we came all this way for you to translate it for us, Professor.”
“Life isn’t about work and translations, is it?” Dr. Esposito says, gesticulating widely.
It is right now.
Marco shoots me a worried look.
“No. Life is about so many more important things. Look around you. What do you see?”
We do as we’re told, not sure if it’s a rhetorical question or not.
When the professor doesn’t say another word, Marco replies, “The festival and all the festivalgoers.”
“You see life. That’s what you see. Life!” Dr. Esposito exclaims.
Life. Got it.
I press my lips together, perturbed. “What about later in the evening, after the festival is done? Could we, say, go and enjoy all the festivities and then meet with you afterward?”
“We’re letting off the lanterns tonight.”
“After that?” I ask, my voice squeaking with worry.
To my surprise, he responds, “All right. I will see you at eight o’clock sharp.”
My features relax, and I throw Marco a relieved smile. “We can do that, can’t we, Marco? Eight o’clock it is.”
“Good. Good.” The professor pushes himself up onto his walking cane. “Now, I must take my nap. Enjoy your evening here in fair Monteluce, and I will see you bright and early for breakfast.”
Wait, what?Breakfast?!
“But, good sir, we came all this way to see you for the sole purpose of the translation,” I protest, panic tightening my words.
He takes my hands in his, leaning heavily on his walking stick. “My dear, don’t rush through life, or you’ll miss the little moments that matter the most.”
He’s getting poetic now?
“But you see, it does matter. We really need you to do this translation for us. It’s important,” I reply.
“Which is why I said I will see you first thing in the morning,”he replies. “I could tell the two of you are in a hurry, so I didn’t want to delay a moment longer.” He gives my hands a squeeze. “Your future will come soon enough, my dear girl. Cherish the present while it’s here. It’s a gift to us all.”
Erma looks proud. “Well said, Felix. Just like our old papa.”
“He was a wise man, your papa,” Constance agrees.
“Is that your final offer? Eight tomorrow morning?” Marco asks.
“If it’s too early, I could delay it until later in the day or even the day after, if that works better for you young people,” Dr. Esposito replies, and both Marco and I respond quickly.
“Eight tomorrow morning is just great,” I say.
“See you for breakfast,” Marco echoes.