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3⁰ In The Summer Kingdom

Bella

I took a deep breath sitting on the bed.

" You can speak, I know you came here so that we could talk about what happened today."

" Elisabete Bella Ferraz Alçante, what do you think you are doing? You've been running away all day!" said my mother, getting up from where she was sitting.

I didn't say anything, because there was nothing to talk about.

" Answer me! Don't just stand there looking at me like I'm saying something that's not important." she said, watching me.

"Mom, if you'll excuse me, I need to go to sleep."

"And that's all you're going to tell me? " she asked, looking as if she couldn't believe I wasn't going to say anything.

" Yes, I said, tired of this conversation." I said, already tired of this conversation.

Mom was silent, looking me up and down, and then she left without saying anything else. She doesn't see that this is news to me, no one even asked if I wanted to get married, they just decided to mind their own business.

I don't want to get married, but I know there is nothing I can do to stop it. Women have no voice in this kingdom, it has always been that way and it looks like it will remain that way until the end of time.

I got ready for bed, because I stayed outside for a long time and didn't see that it was already late. Tomorrow will be my first meeting with Prince Anthony, I do not know him, but

I do not want my married life to be a problem, so I will try to love him, but if this does not happen, in the end we can be friends.

I will sleep, because I know that this will be one of the only times that I will have peace, because something in me tells me that there are many things ahead and I will have to be strong or get stronger with time. As my life goes on, I know that there will be many paths, but the hard part will be choosing the right ones so that I won't regret them later when there is no turning back.

[...]

When Esmeralda came into my room, I was already awake.

" Bella... what is wrong with you, that you are awake at this hour? I was already planning to disappoint you."

"Don't you dare do that, or I'll have someone cut your head off."

" Now get out of bed and go take a shower. I'll leave the dress here on the bed for you."

After Esmeralda left the room I went to do my personal hygiene, getting out of the shower I find myself wearing a red dress that is very eye-catching.

Walking down the palace corridor I observe from afar, my dear fiancé, he is so beautiful that many maidens would be enchanted by him. But I feel nothing, Antony has his hair combed, all dressed up like a dream prince from a fairy tale.

"Hi, Bella, I'm happy to see you. I was wondering if... would you like to go for a walk in the garden?"

  • Hi Anthony, yes, I would." I replied.

" That would be nice." he replied, stretching out his arm to support me, and like a good girl I accepted.

If Anthony knew what I was really thinking about him, I would certainly run back to his palace. I could do anything to stop this wedding, but I would be condemning thousands of innocent families to life.

With my thoughts flying, I didn't realize that we had already reached the lunch table, everyone was already at the table chatting happily. I hardly spoke to anyone, I was already anxious to leave, but Antony was quicker to call me to walk through the garden, we walked in silence until we came to a bench.

"Bella, I know you don't want to marry me. " said Antony.

" I didn't say I didn't want to marry, I just don't think we know each other well enough.

  • But don't worry, I will do everything I can to make our marriage work." said Antonio holding

  • my hand without saying anything else, he kissed me, it was a good kiss, but I didn't feel anything.

"Okay, I'll trust you".

After the walk through the garden, I talked to Esmeralda who was in the staff wing, I saw her right away talking to one of the guards, she didn't waste any time.

" Esmeralda, what are you doing?"

" Before your arrival, I was about to be invited for a walk. But you just got in the way, thank you very much. But, taking advantage of your interference, I have something to tell you, the messenger from the Winter Kingdom was here to talk to your father." she said, eating an apple.

"But why would he do that? If our kingdoms don't do business and haven't even made a peace treaty yet?

" That's something I don't know, but why don't you go see what it's all about?"

" I'm going anyway, we'll talk later, see you later."

I practically run out of the kitchen; if my mother had seen me now, she would surely be giving me a big lecture. But soon I reach the throne room, where I see my father, so I approach him and ask.

" Daddy, I heard that the messenger from the Winter Kingdom was here, may I know what this is about? "

" Yes, daughter, but rest assured, it was only to warn that King Arthur's heir son will marry the heiress of the Autumn Kingdom, I don't remember very well, but I think their names are Cassian and Rosa."

" I am more relieved now, I thought it was something more important, since occasionally some conflicts happen, and we don't have a peace treaty with them, that's why I was worried."

"Don't worry, because if there is a war between the kingdoms, we have the Spring Kingdom army with us."

I leave the throne room and go directly to my room to rest. At least this arranged marriage will be of some use, in case the war happens...

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