The crying of a child echoed throughout the room, as his mother held him tightly against her chest and clenched her jaw, never taking her eyes off the king."You can't do this! You can't do this to your grandson!" the woman finally shouted, earning a cold and piercing stare from the king."Anabel, your husband…my son! He has attempted to take my life and I will not allow it!" he responded firmly. "Hector has been sentenced to public beheading for treason, his title of "prince" has been revoked, and you…" he turned to the woman and her grandson, "after the beheading, you will no longer live or belong in the palace. But Henry will stay here, as I will not allow my grandson to have a corrupted heart like his parents, because don't think I don't know that you encouraged my son to betray me.""Then kill me too!" the woman challenged, but the king refused."Your punishment will be to lose everything…all the luxury you've always dreamed of will remain just that, dreams…"Knocks on the door o
The wind blew strongly against the beautiful face of the young woman riding through the open field, which belonged to her parents. If her parents saw her wearing the dress they had given her in the morning, she would be in great trouble, as she shouldn't be wearing it yet, but temptation got the best of her, and she wanted to look beautiful in that moment. Selene spurred her horse and rode across the terrain until she reached one of the rocky areas she visited every week. Every time he came to see her."Henry?!" she half-shouted, half-asked, anxiously searching for the man.Selene got off her horse and walked until she reached the shade of a leafy tree, where she tied her mount to one of the branches and sat on a round rock, making sure not to ruin her dress."Henry!" she called again after a few minutes without receiving any response from the man.Selene sighed and waited a few more minutes, growing more impatient and worried at the same time."Henry!" she shouted insistently. It was
Selene opened her eyes, resembling two bright stars. She couldn't understand anything that was happening, but the truth was that her parents were addressing a man different from Henry… Her Henry.Someone coughed, grabbing everyone's attention. It was Henry, who briefly choked upon hearing those words, but managed to recover and, at least, no one suspected how much the news had affected him.Many thoughts crossed his mind, including the fact that if he hadn't given up his claim to the throne, it would have been Selene who would be announced as his future wife, instead of his cousin's. He arrived at this conclusion because tradition dictated that when the woman destined to be queen was born, the pact was made between the parents of the future king and the parents of the girl. This meant that when he was six years old, Selene could have been chosen as his future wife, but everything had changed.Could it be true or had Selene been chosen for his cousin? This question momentarily stole hi
"It's impossible!" shouted the queen in response to her son's words."See for yourself and then you'll see how impossible it is. I've told you, mom, not everything that glitters is gold. While you consider her a good candidate to become your queen consort, to me she's nothing more than a prostitute.""Frederick!" exclaimed the queen, astonished at the way her son referred to the young girl in the middle of the dance floor."I don't know what we'll do, but I won't stay without knowing the truth," he warned, and his mother simply nodded, giving an uncomfortable smile to the guests who were curiously watching the scene.The Queen Mother cleared her throat and gracefully approached one of the castle servants. She whispered something in his ear and swiftly returned to her position next to her annoyed son, who couldn't stop glaring at his cousin Henry, who seemed to enjoy the discomfort on Frederick's face.Indeed, Henry not only displayed the brooch in a visible area for Selene to see, but
"You must be the only husband Selene should have."Those words took root in Henry's heart and mind, and his desire to make Selene his own was stronger than any other longing, but to have her, he first had to reclaim his reign. The crown belonged to him by right, just as Selene Russell did.Henry looked at his mother, a strange smile forming on his face, as various possibilities crossed his mind on how to make his cousin's engagement to Selene last less than the announcement. The first thing he had to do was find out the agreement reached between the royal family and the Russell family, that would be the beginning of everything."Mother.""Listen carefully, Henry, you cannot allow them to continue trampling over you. You, my precious boy, should be the one seated on the throne, not the grandson of a whore. A mere concubine!" she shouted angrily.Henry thought the same, he couldn't comprehend how everything had been stolen from him and given to Frederick, when he was the queen's grandso
Selene waited for her mother to leave the room and collapsed to the floor, as it never crossed her mind that an innocent gift, like the one she had given to Henry, could now be something that could get her into more trouble than she already had. Not only her, but also Henry, if the king or the queen were to discover who had the other brooch, she would be completely lost and condemn Henry in the eyes of His Majesty.Selene covered her face with her hands, she had no idea of the punishment they could be condemned to because of their imprudence. She had no choice but to try to retrieve the piece and apologize to Henry.That truth only increased her distress, tears overflowed from her cheeks and she made no effort to stop them when they started flowing from her eyes again, because she had no way out. Selene dreamt that one day women like her would not have to submit to forced and arranged marriages behind their backs, but that they would have the voice she did not have. Now she only had t
"The queen is injured!" Fredrick did not descend from the carriage, he leapt from where he was and ran to check what his man had just shouted. His heart hammered hard against his chest, he was afraid, but also deeply angry. An anger that threatened to become a cyclone ready to sweep away everything in its path. Meanwhile, Selene disembarked with the help of a maid. For a moment, she had the desire to run in the opposite direction of the queen's carriage and escape, leave everything behind and start anew in a distant village where no one knew who she was or her relationship with the Royal House. However, her noble, or rather foolish, heart guided her towards the carriage, while the doctor and nurse rushed to help the queen, as they had been in the carriage borrowed from the Russells a few meters behind theirs. Selene held her breath upon seeing the powerful queen, wounded and bloodstained. Her eyes were closed, Frederick carried her in his arms, and for a moment, Selene thought she
The king managed to catch his fiancée before she could suffer a hard blow by falling to the ground."Silly girl, you shouldn't have let your guard down. Now, who will take care of you?" he muttered, forgetting about the maids in the room."I will call one of the guards to take Lady Selene to her room," one of them dared to say, earning a serious look from the King."It's not necessary. I will take care of Lady Selene," he said. "Call the doctor and you, bring some hot soup," he ordered.The maids rushed to fulfill the King's orders, while Frederick walked with Selene in his arms. It felt strange to have her like this, but he preferred to be the one carrying her and not another man. It was not right for another man to lay hands on the woman who would be his wife.The young girl was as light as a feather, he would dare to say. Her clothes seemed to weigh more than her flesh. It didn't make sense. Lord Russell was not impoverished, so why didn't he feed the King's fiancée properly?Frede
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