Samantha awaited Henry's reaction, but he either stood stupefied or, more accurately, feigned being dumbfounded at her confession. His hand paused in the air, withdrawing it from the young princess's cheek."Aren't you going to say anything?" she asked with a racing heart."Your Highness," he addressed her formally, "there's nothing I can do to prevent an engagement with another man."Samantha took a step back at Henry's response."I thought you cared, that you worried about me," Samantha sobbed."And I do, Your Highness, but... who can oppose the wishes of His Majesty? I am not the brave knight who will rescue you, to my misfortune.""What do you mean, Henry?" she asked, determined to call him by his name, breaking the rules."I can fight for you, Your Highness, but there's no way I can go against the power of the King, especially if he has the approval of the Queen Mother. However, there's something you can do.""What is it, Henry? Tell me, and I'll do whatever it takes to prevent b
Henry's face tightened at Frederick's words; he looked at him with contained hatred, his fingers clenched into two strong fists until the color of his knuckles changed."Who the hell do you think you are to decide about my life?" he growled with anger, while Frederick looked at him with cold calmness."I am your king.""And to hell with that!" he squawked, standing up violently, so much that the chair fell to the floor. Henry's features were distorted, his teeth clenched so tightly that it seemed he might lose them at any moment."Control your temper and your tongue," advised Frederick, standing up with grace and elegance."You know very well that I am the rightful owner of the throne you occupy," he growled. "Don't you dare try to dictate my life, Frederick."A loud thud was heard; it was the king's fist hitting the hard and fine wood of his desk."You were disinherited and removed from the succession line by our grandfather, Henry, whether you like it or not, I am the King of Astor,
Selene tried to inquire a bit more, but Samantha remained tight-lipped about it. Eventually, Selene gave in and engaged in conversation with the young princess about the preparations for her upcoming party, just around the corner. The topic of the princess's future suitor was left behind, but Selene couldn't stop pondering. She genuinely hoped that Frederick would find a good man for her sister because, despite being a bit stubborn, she was not a bad woman and deserved a beautiful and pure love like the one Selene was experiencing with her future husband. They spent a few hours together, trying to get to know each other. Samantha set aside her sadness momentarily when she shared some amusing experiences with the animals on her uncle's farm. This surprised Selene, as the princess appeared so delicate. Imagining her playing and working with animals was a contrasting image but seemed very entertaining and interesting to Selene. Selene left Samantha's room, but the idea that the Duke the
"I can swear to you that Frederick has not sighed for you in a long time."Regina didn't want to believe Henry's words, however, Frederick had behaved distant when he greeted her; his eyes no longer sparkled as before. The woman experienced a hollow feeling in the pit of her stomach and had to sit down to avoid falling flat on her face.Henry looked at Regina's pale face and felt pleased."This is your only chance to become a queen one day," he said, testing the ground he was treading on.Regina looked at him without understanding."How can you say such a thing? Married to you, I can only aspire to be the Duke's wife.""I am the legitimate heir, Regina."She looked at him."That doesn't make you a possible heir unless..." Regina opened her eyes, understanding what Henry was referring to."You're with me or against me, you decide, My Lady," he said seriously and with a hint of irony.Regina had no chance of refusing; her father had already reached an agreement with Frederick, and thing
Marcus stood up upon seeing his uncle appear, accompanied by the King, to whom he gave a short bow. "I will be delighted to be your host tonight, Marquis," said Frederick. "The honor is mine, Your Majesty," exclaimed the man with a slight nod of his head. Frederick gave Marcus a brief look and left the room. "Everything okay?" Marcus asked as he remained alone with his uncle. The man looked at him with an intensity that scared him. "His Majesty and I had many matters to discuss, Marcus. Some more important than others, but we have reached a magnificent agreement," he expressed. Marcus nodded. "So, are we staying?" the young man asked, sitting next to the Marquis. "You heard it, and I don't intend to displease the King, so I ask you to maintain composure. If you can delight us with one of your beautiful melodies, I will be more than grateful to you." "You're behaving more seriously than usual. Is there something I need to know?" Marcus questioned. The Marquis shook his head.
Samantha felt tempted to run away, but the Queen's hand prevented her when it settled on her shoulder."I don't want to be here," Sam murmured so low that no one would have heard her if her mother hadn't been so close."Samantha, please, your brother has an important announcement," the queen refuted in a low tone. She, too, was pained to have to marry her daughter so soon. They had barely spent a few weeks together, and she was practically sending her away. However, she preferred that to her daughter falling into Henry's hands. Everything was for her well-being, and she trusted that the man her son had chosen was the one Sam needed by her side."Please, take a seat," Frederick insisted, and Samantha had no choice but to sit next to her mother, while Marcus walked beside his uncle."Your Majesty, please continue," the man requested, keeping his attentive gaze on the princess. A gaze that Sam felt as if it were burning her skin."The Borja family and the Royal family will unite very soo
Samantha felt a shiver run through her body and a lump lodged in her throat, but the desire to see with her own eyes what she heard was stronger and drove her to take the necessary steps to go down the stairs, only that, when she reached the bottom, her brother was waiting for her and Henry was already walking away, taking Regina by the arm, without a single glance at her."Are you ready?" Frederick asked as he joined her."Does it matter?" She questioned without looking at her brother. Samantha smiled at the couple passing by, pretending everything was fine, when in reality all she wanted was to run out and lock herself in her room."Samantha..."I'm ready to get on with all this, Your Majesty," she muttered without seeing him.Frederick clenched his fists at his sister's attitude; However, he was content with the fact that the features of his face did not reflect his dissatisfaction with the feast. The last thing he wanted was for suspicion to be aroused among the guests."Your Maj
Selene ended up on the side of the garden, away from the gaze of the guests, her stomach protested when she tried to calm down, but she couldn't and lost the battle. Gagging was heard and Frederick had to look back to be sure no one was following him."Selene," he called."I'm sorry, I can't contain myself," she muttered, her face red and her lips pale with vomit."Don't apologize, honey. It's my fault, I should have warned you not to be served wine tonight," he rebutted, kneeling down to be beside her."I couldn't even taste it, the smell was too much," he said, caressing her belly, which was left with discomfort and a horrible taste in her throat. The worst thing is that it has passed in front of many guests, I'm afraid they might be suspicious," Selene added worriedly.Frederick had completely forgotten about the guests, and if anyone had heard Selene's gagging, rumors would soon emerge and his fiancée's name would be in question, which he could not allow.The gentle footsteps on t
Happiness did not leave Astor Castle, after the birth of the heir, the Royal House dressed up again, the marriage of Samantha and Marcus could not wait any longer and only three months later they were swearing eternal love to each other before God, before the kings and before the people.Samantha looked radiant in her beautiful white dress, fit for the princess she was, her eyes sparkling with excitement every time she met the gaze of her now husband. The desire was latent in them and none of them could deny it. It was so much, that they were looking forward to being able to sneak away from people to be alone for a moment, but it wasn't until too late that they were able to do so.Marcus looked at his wife, she was without a doubt one of the most beautiful women he had ever had the joy of knowing, he was happy to share his life and his future with Samantha."Why do you look at me that way?" The young woman asked, feeling a lump in her throat. His hands were sweating with nervousness.
The months following the coronation were full of emotions, Selene and Frederick eagerly awaited the moment of meeting their first child, Eleanor was sure it was a boy because of the shape of the Queen's belly, Samantha opted for the idea of having a little niece running around the gardens, while the parents only prayed to God that their baby would be born healthy and strong.It was that morning, near sunset, while Samantha and Selene were taking a walk in the garden that it all began and the entire castle was turned upside down."Oh, for God's sake! Selene shouted as she felt a strong tug on her lower belly, her hands were placed under the lump, as if she wanted to hold it, but nothing appeased that first burst of pain."Selene! Samantha screamed as she watched her bend over in pain and grit her teeth."I think it's the boy, Sam!" My baby is coming! He exclaimed in the midst of another sharp pain that took his breath away.Samantha widened her eyes and for a moment she panicked, she
Over the next few days, Frederick took great pains to keep Selene's mind occupied, sometimes unable to do so. I saw her looking at the garden, distracted, I couldn't blame her, I couldn't expect her to forget what happened overnight, like everything, this too would have a process and he would be there to accompany her."You should be getting ready, what are you doing here, love?" Frederick asked, catching Selene's waist as she looked out into the garden."I'm nervous," she muttered.Selene felt an emptiness in the pit of her stomach, that night she would be crowned as the Queen Consort, she would occupy the place that the Queen Mother had held during her years at her husband's side. It was a great challenge for Selene, but she was confident in herself and considered herself very capable of playing a good role for the kingdom and the people."I understand you must be, today is not only about your coronation as my Queen, but it's also the day we can make public the arrival of our firstb
It didn't take long for the Queen to rush to the newlyweds' bedroom, as did Samantha. It was impossible for anyone in the castle not to have heard the screams and blows of the guards, in addition to Selene's screams, of which he had not been aware."What happened?!" The queen shouted as she saw Henry on the ground, in a pool of blood and a chilling expression in his eyes."Oh, for God's sake! Samantha exclaimed terrified by the scene and her stomach churned, so she turned her body to run out of the bedroom, but arms caught her before her escape.For a moment Marcus thought that Samantha had been affected by Henry's death, an emptiness formed in his stomach, but it was short-lived, when the young princess noticed that he was in her arms and clung to his waist with a tight embrace."He came in to hurt them..." Hurt us," she sobbed softly and cradled her head on Marcus' chest."He won't hurt them again," she whispered against Sam's crown.It was a moment for both of us, even if they were
"The woman looks like she was swallowed by the earth," one of the royal guards said in frustration."Damn it! His companion shouted in frustration and slammed the old table that still stood in Anabel's battered house. Going back to the old house didn't help them at all. There was no sign of Anabel."By this time the King must be married, and because of that damned woman we couldn't make it," growled the other man, sitting down on the filthy floor. Everything was just as they had left it the last time they were there, indicating that Anabel did not return."The King has entrusted us with this mission because he trusts us, do not lament and get up. "We must keep looking," the senior guard ordered.The search continued and was fruitless, so they had no choice but to move away from those lands abandoned by man, a dry place that could hardly give life.Meanwhile, Anabel entered the castle, taking advantage of the distraction of the party, the woman clenched her fists tightly and cursed the
Marcus took a deep breath and walked over to his fiancée's face, her eyes shining like stars guiding him along the way. Her lips slammed into Sam's cheek, very close to the corner of his mouth. Marcus placed a tender kiss, which drew a sigh from the princess.He was quite a gentleman, that was the greatest audacity he could do, no matter how much he wanted more; However, Samantha had a different idea and before Marcus could get away from her she grabbed him by the shirt and carefully pulled him towards her, joining their lips in a delicate kiss, although this was short-lived, as the desire was overwhelming and the kiss intense."I love you so much," Frederick whispered in his wife's ear, sending a stream of excitement through her body."Let's get out of here," Selene replied quietly. The king smiled and quickly sat up to continue the celebration privately.Frederick and Selene bade farewell to their guests; However, none of them left, as the party continued without the bride and groom
"You look beautiful," said the Queen Mother, and approached Selene. He caressed her cheek gently. You look like an angel.Selene wasn't able to answer, her eyes filled with tears that she forced herself to hold back, because she didn't want to ruin her makeup, but hearing those words comforted her soul, while breaking it into pieces. Those were the words she should have heard from her mother, but now it was the Queen who protected and cared for her like a daughter."I've brought this," the queen announced, and put a silver brooch with small blue flowers in Selene's hair."Thank you," whispered Selene, who was overly excited."Good luck for all the success of your marriage and reign," the Queen snapped. The bride couldn't take it anymore and threw herself into Leonor's arms, she received her calmly and with all the affection of which she was capable."Are you ready yet?" Sam asked, entering Selene's bedroom. As soon as she saw her friend and sister-in-law in her mother's arms, she stop
Norwood gritted his teeth as he realized that the King's men were coming, he looked at Regina with seriousness and determination. I had been thinking and analyzing what was the best way to save her from prison, but there wasn't much choice."What's the matter, who's coming?" Regina asked, getting out of bed."The King's guard," he said morosely."Are they coming for me?" He asked in a trembling voice.The Count did not know the answer, so he looked at Regina, took her by the arms, and spoke:"It's likely—""Don't let them take me, I don't want to go to prison," she cried, clinging to her father's hands."I'll do everything in my power, Regina, but you have to do things as I tell you, otherwise there won't be anything I can do for you. He could never face the king and be victorious."What do I have to do?" She asked sorrowfully. I'll do whatever you tell me, but I don't want to go to jail," she sobbed.The Count nodded, he had only a short time before he was called by the men to the vi
Frederick made sure to guard the carriage in which Henry was transported back to the castle, where he would be taken to the dungeons. He didn't want to risk an accomplice trying to do anything to free him."Edward! He called to him, and the guard rode up quickly."Tell me, your majesty."What happened to Henry's mother?" He asked, fearing that the woman would try to do something to complete the plans she had with her son."A group of guards must be seizing her right now, Your Majesty," he informed him, and Frederick nodded. He didn't want to rejoice until he was sure that everything was going well, but it was hard not to feel that everything was finally taking the right turn.Anabel heard the hooves of the horses approaching along the road of stones and dirt, her heart stirred, especially because she had not heard from her son for several days and the last thing she heard in a bar near her old house was that he was being sought dead or alive. Something inside her told her that she was