It was late Wednesday evening when Alper's letter arrived at the palazzo for Maranya. Inside, it read:

Anya, my love,

I know I have been absent far more often than not, but I have a surprise for you. Father leaves Friday, so I have arranged to bring back something from Turkey for you, a surprise if you will. Expect it at dawn this next morning, and I will see you soon, I hope.

With all my heart, Alper

It wasn't exactly the Palazzo staff which awakened Maranya Valkonan at the break of dawn that morning. Rather, the dark blond haired woman had lain beside her fianc" Antonio's side, awake with giddy anticipation, once she had returned home from the Inn barely hours before, and found and read the letter in her other love Alper's handwriting. A surprise for me. More good news! I may well burst from it.

When a soft knock sounded on the bedroom door, Maranya placed a gentle kiss upon her fianc"'s lips and rose from the bed. She drew her rose pink silk robe on, tied it closed with its matching sash, and then opened the door to see what was being left for her.

Rosalie waited patiently with a large cup of espresso and a slice of the raspberry pie that Duci had made for her. "Come, come, you have visitors, but you should eat something, too!"

Maranya's soft laughter was cut off from Antonio's hearing by the door as it closed behind her. "Rosalie, you would have me eat even if the world was coming to an end!" she exclaimed, took the cup of espresso, and sipped the dark, sugared brew gratefully while they walked down the upstairs hallway.

"S", s", there is always time for a good meal," the mistress of the kitchen declared, laughing as well, and offered the slice of pie to il padrona della casa.

Her impromptu breakfast soon a pleasant memory, the mistress of the Palazzo's hazel eyes widened in delighted shock when she saw Duci with her veiled companion in the entrance hall. "Duci! What a pleasant surprise!" She nodded politely to the woman. "Good morning, and welcome to the Palazzo." Then she turned to Rosalie. "More espresso, and some of those fruit biscuits, please, Rosalie, for our guests."

While the mistress of the kitchen bustled off to comply with the request for refreshments, Maranya smiled brightly, and gave her attention to the other women. "Now, what may I do for you two this fine day?"

"Dinner" Tonight?" Maranya winced at the nervous squeak that entered her voice.

Bozhe moi, this is the surprise" By the Beyond, Lyev moya, if I didn't love you so, I'd swat you upside your handsome head for this!

She coughed into her emerald ringed right hand's fist to clear her voice before she spoke again, "I already had a slice of that delicious pie you made me, Duci, but we can enjoy the other refreshments upstairs." Her left hand, which bore a new emerald cut emerald set in platinum on the ring finger, trembled slightly with her gesture to the stairs. "There's an empty guest room that we can use, of course. It's a pleasure to meet you, Asya."

A new dress. Meeting Papa Dn'avol tonight, at last. By the Beyond, Lyev moya, what other surprises do you have in store for me"

When Rosalie returned with a tray of refreshments, Maranya nodded for her to follow them upstairs to the guest room where the dressmaking would take place.

Maranya stoically bore the hours of standing still, to be measured, poked and prodded, and in general feeling like a human pincushion, all for the leaf green eyed man she loved. She kept her eyes closed as the dress was tried on for its final fitting, and then opened them to regard herself in the trio of full length mirrors.

Duci's gesture was unnecessary, as the dark blond haired woman felt excitement bubble up inside her again like her favorite raspberry champagne. Maranya twirled around in place before the mirrors, which set the skirts of her sapphire blue and deep emerald green silk brocade gown to swirl about her long legs. I look like a princess in this gown! I feel like one, too".

The bright smile that lit her face faded almost as soon as it appeared, and she stopped her twirl, to let her heavy skirts settle back into place.

Will he like me" Am I good enough for his son' Or will I be a disappointment to Papa Dn'avol"

The normally confident in other areas Doctor turned to her friend, unspoken but clearly visible worry about pleasing her love's father widening her hazels. Then her brow ticked upward in silent question at the black velvet box that rested in Alper's assistant's hands.

Bozhe moi, more surprises" I am not sure that I can take much more today.

"Meh, if you say so, Duci." Maranya's ringed hands trembled slightly with nerves as she took the velvet case from Duci. Without wrinkling her skirts, she seated herself on the edge of the burgundy velvet covered bed. Then, slowly, she opened the case.

Her hazel eyes widened in delighted shock at the note within. Her lips curved in a soft, warm smile while she silently read the words penned by her love. She drew strength and courage from them.

If he believes that about me, then it is so. Ya tebya lyublyu, dearest Lyev moya. Setting the note beside her after a soft kiss to the signature on the paper, she blinked rapidly to try to stem the tears that threatened to fall like rain at the sight of the gorgeous emerald and platinum jewelry resting in state on black velvet cushions. "Emeralds," she whispered huskily. A flush brought color back to Maranya's pale with shock cheeks at the memories of what that particular gemstone meant, to both herself, and to Alper.

Tears of joy trailed down her blushing face as her shaky hands adorned herself with the priceless jewels. She dared not think of their possible market value, for she would never wear such an expensive gift otherwise. But they were far more precious to her, at any price, because they were given in love.

She rose finally, and drifted over to the mirror to study her reflection there. Even teary eyed, and with her dark blond hair still unstyled in soft waves about her shoulders, she looked every inch the queen that Duci had proclaimed her to be. The emeralds and diamonds accented her gown, and the gown accented her jewelry. Perfect symmetry.

Maranya's emerald and diamond ringed left hand reached out to tentatively touch her reflection, as if she was afraid it might all disappear, and these wonderful gifts were only the stuff dreams were made of. Fragile. Temporary.

"Beautiful," she whispered, almost in disbelief. "I am beautiful."

The words of encouragement from Duci and Asya echoed in Maranya's mind while her trembling hands worked on getting her thigh length hair into proper order to complement such a regal gown. Finally, she settled on a simple chignon, held in place by a lacy butterfly hair clasp wrought out of platinum.

After studying the effect in the mirror, she turned to the bedside table, and removed a sheet of parchment and a pen. Then she wrote a note to her fianc? in a clear and precise handwriting.

Dearest 'Tonio,

I will finally be having dinner with Alper and his father tonight. It is likely that I will also be spending the night with Alper afterward. I will see you when I return home.

Sweet dreams, my dearest love.

Love, Anya

She folded the note in thirds, and drifted down the hall to their bedroom to leave the message on Antonio's pillow, where he would be sure to find it before he retired for the night.

Then she carefully made her way down the steps which led to the entry hall, precisely in time for Hafez to meet her there, and escort her through the gardens out front to the waiting unmarked sedan.

Showtime.