Chapter 4: The rings

The morning came very quickly, the trip and the marathon that he ran yesterday made me sleep soundly. Today is supposed to be the big day, the one that many lovers look forward to, but it is not my case.

Clara brought another dress for the wedding, I didn't give it any importance, I trust her judgment.

"Princess, try on the dress please! Anything tells one of the servants to call the dressmaker of the kingdom."

"Yes, I will...Calm down."

I got ready to go have breakfast with Queen Loren, I'm starving. I really don't want to go, I feel safe here, within these four walls.

One of his men accompanied me to the garden, we walked through wide corridors, King José's castle is charming, it seems as if it were in another world. Unlike our gloomy corridors.

"Good morning Princess Isabel!"

"Good morning Your Majesty, thank you for her invitation!"

"Today is the big day! I know this is very recent for you, Isabella."

"Yes it is". She answered the princess somewhat embarrassed, while she served herself some tea.

"I understand you, I have also gone through the same thing. At first I was very scared, I was afraid of being killed, I didn't even trust my shadow. King Joseph was the worst, he made my life miserable, but then he decided to take my place with him. Then we started to get to know each other better and we fell in love, of course it was a process, but it's necessary."

"That's why I wanted to talk to you Isa, I want you to know that you can count on me for anything."

"Thank you Majesty!"

I tried to be strong, but I couldn't hold back the tears any longer, I felt that for the first time, someone else cared about what I felt. I wiped away tears at the sight of his tiny hands on my leg. She seemed like a nice woman, she just had one comment to make.

"I don't think I'll have the same luck, her Majesty... Look at me... your son will never miss me, much less accept me. But that doesn't bother me, I've gotten used to it, I don't want him to suffer because of me ."

"You are a wonderful person Isabella, you are the woman Christopher needs by his side."

"My son has his character, but he is affectionate and very funny, you'll see over time."

"Thank you so much!!"

"I have sent several maids to help you, they told me that you already had everything."

"Yes, it came prepared Your Majesty."

"Did you like the dress I sent you?"

"It's beautiful, but it's not made for someone with a lot of muscles like me."

"Oooh!...I see! Well precious, I won't take up any more time, I'll see you for the ceremony. Thanks for having breakfast with me!"

"I'm glad your leg is okay."

"My leg?"

"Your maid told me that you have broken your leg."

"Oh… No… Excuse me!"

I got to my room and there were a lot of people, I don't know why they came. I asked them to succeed, I could manage by myself. A man came up to me and tried to touch me, I told him I was engaged and slapped him, he had a tape to measure my breasts, he was a degenerate.

Luckily the guards took care of him.

I bathed and then went out to see what I should wear.

The dress was beautiful, just for this occasion I had breakfast with fruits and tea with Queen Loren. I don't know why the dresses suddenly get smaller.

I tried it on and, unsurprisingly, it doesn't fit well; I took it off and started laughing… I can't believe what I'm about to do.

"Oh my gosh, I know this is your doing, who else would come up with something like that? I hope you enjoy the show."

There was a knock on the door, it was clear.

"Princess, I have sent the hairdresser, a make-up artist and several maids to help you... What happened?"

"They tried to take advantage of me! And I asked the guards to take care of all of them."

But don't worry, we'll manage, we don't need any more help.

"TODAY YOU WILL NOT DO WHAT YOU WANT ISABELLA!" A voice was heard, it was Queen Margareth.

"Enter please".

She brought a great team, everyone was on top of me, I can't believe it! The pervert was happy taking my measurements.

"Don't get your hopes up young man, this muscular little body has an owner!"

Margareth and Clara laughed at Isa's comments.

"I'm not wearing that corset, mother!"

"Oh yes! Of course you will!"

"I can't breathe with that… plus I won't be able to enjoy the wedding cake!"

"Forget the cake! Rosa, put on your corset!"

"Clara, bring the dress!"

"Isn't there another dress? I'm not going into that!"

"How do you not get into this?"

"I tried it on and it's too small."

"What do we do, Your Majesty?"

"Put it in the same!"

…………………………

The prince was next to Frankie, who tried to cheer him up. There was nothing at that moment that could change the terrible state of mind he was in.

His father entered his room to give him the rings...

He was able to notice the king's threatening look, he couldn't go against his decision. He understood the reasons very well, but the appearance of the princess annoyed him. He knew that not many people would come after King Roberts' request, but even so, with the few guests it was enough for the rumor to spread.

"What is this father?"

"The rings... Now you have to meet your fiancée.

Do not delay any longer, everyone is waiting for you."

His father finished, Frankie stood aside. The prince threw the box with the rings against the wall.

"Damn! Why is this happening to me!...

I don't want to marry that woman... I can't even see her and now I have to kiss her... Shit!..."

"If she's any consolation… The princess doesn't agree either. I heard that she kicked out all the maids, she even asked the guards to lock them up…"

"That? I can't believe it, it's one thing that I don't want to get married for obvious reasons, but she…"

"Maybe you're not her type."

"Are you kidding? I don't think you're in a position to choose."

"Excuse me Your Majesty, his father is waiting for him to leave!" One of the guards interrupted.

"Frankie... Help me find the damn rings."

"I found one here, this is yours."

"Dammit!...Where is the other one?"

"Your Majesty, his father asked me to escort him!" The soldier insisted.

"Go ahead prince, I'll find him and take him to the church." Franky replied.

"You're sure?"

"Yes, go, go!...I don't want to hear your father's screams!"

"Okay, don't be late."

Frankie opened one of the drawers, then moved the rug, but he wasn't there. He looked under the bed and neither.

"Guard!... Let me know when the princess's carriage leaves."

"I'm afraid to tell you that Princess Isabella's carriage has already left."

"SHIT! I have to go..."

"What can I do! Think, think, think."

"Where's the jewelry?"

Frankie ran out of the castle, asked at one of the shops, but he had no luck. Every second that passed was key, he saw a forager and he didn't think twice.

"Excuse me, sir. Do you know of any jewels?... It's urgent!"

"Oh yeah, there's one out of town, he's the only one I know."

"Isn't there a shop around here? I need an engagement ring, help me!... I'll pay you very well for this!"

"I'm so sorry sir!... I don't..."

"Oh my god! What am I going to do!"

Frankie was so worried that the man made him a proposition.

"My wife is no longer with me, but I need her money, if she works for her, I can rent it to her."

"Rent? She's still good for me! Thank you! She's a good man, the prince will thank you."

The man kept thinking... "Did the prince say?"

Frankie was overjoyed, took the rings and ran to the church.

The prince got very nervous when he saw that Frankie did not arrive, his father told him that in a few seconds he would enter the princess.

Frankie!, where are you?...asked the very impatient prince.

His father looked at him from time to time, making a great effort to remain calm.

"What's wrong, Christopher?" asked his father.

The prince closed his eyes trying to console himself, he had no choice but to confess to his father what had happened.

I'm afraid I've lost the...

The prince looked up, it was Princess Isabella and King Roberts at the door.

"Oh, my God!..." Said the prince with terror.