55. DANTE

Amanda plucks Ricci’s handheld microphone before he even realizes she’s on stage.

“Hello, Chancellor,” she says to Huber. “I’d say it’s nice to meet you, but my father – that beautiful man you just pointed at – taught me to never tell a lie. He also taught me it’s rude to point at people.”

I can’t help but grin. Letting both barrels go on Huber has me feeling better than I have in weeks. Whatever the outcome today, I know I’ve said my piece and my conscience is clear.

Judging by her behavior, I think Amanda feels the same way.

“Dad taught me a lot of things,” she says. “About being humble, and not talking behind people’s backs, and being honest and straightforward. But I’m not here to talk about him.”

She turns towards me and smiles. It feels like cool water on a hot day.

“I want to talk about this man right here. The one you’ve been throwing insults at for the past forty minutes. And for three weeks before that, thanks to Mr. Ricci here.”

Lorenzo’s white face has started to turn green.

“You were right about a few things, Chancellor,” she says. “Those photos did come from Dante’s bachelor party. But they were taken by someone who had drugged his drink, specifically to give your office fodder for this referendum.”

“That’s a scandalous accusation!” he sputters, prompting more feedback from his lapel mike.

“But even that doesn’t matter,” she says, ignoring him. “If I remember right, you asked the Morovan people if they were foolish enough to believe that two people could fall in love in just a few weeks.”

Now it’s Huber’s turn to go white. The way his mouth is working, you’d think he was a fish on dry land. A big, ugly bass, to be specific.

“Apparently, I have a lot more faith in love than you do, sir, because I do believe that people can fall in love in a few weeks. Even quicker, really.”

She slides an arm around mine. “I’ll admit it wasn’t love at first sight for Dante and me. Lust, sure – I mean, look at him. But attraction alone isn’t love.

“That came later, after I saw him with his niece and nephew. How gentle he was, and understanding and protective.”

She turns to Huber. “If you really knew the prince the way you claim to, Chancellor, you’d know that Oriana and Vito are his heart and soul. Ask any member of the palace staff, they’ll tell you the same. I’m surprised Duchess Isabella didn’t mention it during any of your long meetings with her.”

I have to bite down on my lips to keep from horse-laughing as Isabella’s face twists into a mask of pure outrage. The council members all avoid eye contact with her as the cameras turn in her direction.

“I’ve met a lot of people with money and status over the last little while,” Amanda says. “Some of them, like Giselle Ranette – I’m sure you remember her, Chancellor – weren’t what I would call nice people.

“But this guy,” she says, squeezing my arm. “What you see is what you get. He treats everyone the same, from other royals to the people who empty the trash at the palace.

“I should point out that you were right about one thing, Chancellor – Dante did give my father money. Do you know why? Because my father needed it, and because Dante is the most generous man I’ve ever known.”

Now she’s looking directly into the camera’s red light.

“I guess if you believe those qualities are character flaws, you should vote to get rid of him,” she says. “I personally fell head-over-heels in love with those character flaws, but hey, that’s just me.”

With that, she puts down the microphone and wraps her arms around my neck.

“I hope you don’t mind,” she grins. “Somebody had to say it. Now get over here. We’ve got some catching up to do.”

My pulse quickens as her lips touch mine. She’s right – it’s been far too long since we touched.

If there was any justice in the world, there would be some kind of sweeping movie theme playing in the background. As it is, there’s only silence, and the shocked gasps of the council members.

After several long, delicious moments, I hear Ike clear his throat loudly.

“Father in the room,” he says.

Next to him, Maria and Carlo start to chuckle. The chuckles turn into full-blown belly laughs as Ike joins in.