CHAINED CROWN

 I didn’t think my father ever thought that without knowing it, he would marry a tyrant to save our Kingdom from our most feared neighbors. Can love be something beautiful, something other than an obsession?

 “Dad, I have to do this. I will marry Francis. He is a good man and loves me,” Gabriela tried to reassure her father, but her heart was torn and she thought to herself, “It is the only way to keep the peace in our Kingdom.” 

 “My daughter, my dear Gabriela, I know that I have found you a good man, and that this is the only way we will stay calm, but when you get married, I will not see you again, I cannot protect you.”

            Gabriela was the youngest daughter of King Philip Alvaz. He was a good man who loved his people and his kingdom. Together with the queen, Juliana Alvar, they ruled the Kingdom in peace. They tried hard to create a peaceful and loving communion. People respect and help each other and love their leaders. The king and queen are righteous people who help them whenever needed. 

            Filip and Juliana Alvar had three daughters. Elvira, Ana and Gabriela. Of the three girls, only Gabriela was interested in the affairs of the kingdom. She was always with her father in any matter that arose. 

 “Dad, stay calm. Everything will be fine. I’ll be fine,” Gabriela tried to encourage her father, but a deep sadness settled in her heart.

            There was a deep, oppressive silence. I could read sadness on both faces. Filip was not ready to let his daughter go, and Gabriela knew she had lied to her father. 

            A knock on the door interrupted the silence. 

 “Sire, excuse me,” Elena said. Princess, Prince Francis has come.

 “Tell him to come in,” Philip said quickly. 

Gabriela changed her face, and any trace of a smile disappeared from her face.

 “What a pleasure, Francis.” I’m glad to see you again, said Philip. On what occasion in our country? 

“Sire, the pleasure is on my side. I was meeting the princess. We need to establish details about the wedding. Besides, who can resist her beauty? Missing her melts me.” 

“A little patience. In half a year, it will be the wedding and then it will always be just with you.” 

Francis frowned.

“Half a year seemed like an eternity,” 

“I’m ready when you want, though,” Gabriela said. 

“We can go then,” said Francis.

            Francis got up and held out his hand elegantly. Gabriela shook his hand, and they galloped out of the room. She was wearing a pink ruffled dress, plain on a crinoline. He had a white cape. Her hair was elegantly curled in a beautiful bun from which a few curly blond strands came out. He wore black trousers, a white shirt sewn with gold threads, a black tailcoat also embroidered with gold threads and precious stones. His neck was white as snow-white snowflakes. 

            On the way out of the castle, Gabriela greeted and spoke to all the castle employees. He patted Patrick, the butler’s son, playfully. He then took in his arms and kissed Maria, the cook’s daughter, warm and friendly on the cheek. 

            Francisc was not at all pleased with Gabriela’s behavior and shook her hand harder and more nervously. He could not understand how someone of such a high rank could treat employees of the same level. 

            She pulled her hand out of her grip and looked at Francis. 

             At the door of the castle awaited a white chariot as the foam of the sea decorated with precious stones. Four black raven horses of the Shire breed pulled it. They were the best horses on the stud farm, being used only by the royal staff. 

           At the staircase, carriages were waiting for a visit dressed as elegantly as possible, arranging the red carpet on which Francis and Gabriela were to climb. 

           On the way out, Gabriela saw her nanny, Emanuela, whom she loved enormously. They jumped into the nanny’s arms, to the despair of Francis, who brutally took her hand and pulled her lightly towards the carriage. His face expresses immense anger. Her eyebrows were together, her cheeks were red, and I could see her clenched teeth between her parted lips. But Gabriela had a special calm, as you rarely meet. He didn’t even notice his reaction. She gave the impression that she was totally disinterested in what Francis was saying. This really infuriated him and without realizing it he had a more violent reaction. He jerked Gabriela by the arm. This, because of jerks, lost its balance and fell into the arms of Carlo, the son of the nurse and the captain of the army. Carlo and Gabriela had grown up together and were like two brothers. He was a skilful man and had become King Philip’s right-hand man. He had a strong and ambitious nature. His eyes were blue as a clear sky and his hair was as bright as acacia honey. With arms that were both powerful, he could lift heavy weights with ease. His legs were long and straight. 

        Carlo looked at her warmly. They stood motionless for a few minutes, staring at each other for a long time. Even though they knew each other from a young age, it was something different now. It was as if they were seeing each other for the first time. The sun shone on Gabriela in her curly blond hair, her emerald-blue eyes shone beautifully. The light breeze caressed her reddening cheeks. It was as if she had never seen him so beautiful and did not know that he was so strong. 

         He woke up to reality when Francis came and pulled Gabriela out of Carlo’s arms. She was furious. 

“With respect for the Prince, but our princess deserves more appreciation and respect. Please let him go now or I’ll be forced to call the guards,” Carlo said through gritted teeth. His eyes seemed to shoot arrows and his teeth chattered loudly. 

“Excuse me, princess,” said Francis, “but we’re in a hurry.” He tried to ignore Carlo and act as if he hadn’t heard him. 

            She took her hand again, but Carlo retaliated by standing in front of her. Gabriela took Carlo’s hand lightly and pulled him back. 

“It’s okay Carlo, I’m fine. The prince had only one wandering. Not a word to Dad. Do you understand?” Her tone was firm now. When she was serious and determined, everyone knew that what she commanded must be obeyed. 

Carlo felt himself explode with rage. He could not accept such a treatment for the girl he loved. Even though he knew it would never be his, he had promised to always protect her from the shadows. He had loved her for a long time. Only he and his mother knew that he always told her there could be nothing between them. King Philip would never accept such a thing. 

Gabriela glanced at Emanuela. He immediately understood what Gabriela wanted to say about her. With a sorrowful expression in his eyes, he took Carlo's hand, gently pulling him towards him and indicating with a gesture to be silent and step back. He knew Gabriela very well. She was like a lioness. Of a dazzling beauty, simple and strong. He helped everyone, appreciated them and always thanked them for any help. To her, they were all people with souls who deserved attention. She earned his respect for her nature. But the moment something upset her or she had something to solve, she reacted like a lioness. Everyone preferred not to stand in their way in those moments and even less to contradict it. In any problem for her there were only solutions, do not accept can not. Even though she was gentle and good in the decisive moments, she was determined, strong and determined. All employees respected he commanded them and they loved her dearly. 

Gabriela took Francis by the hand and they both started for the carriage under the eyes of angry Carlo’s. Francisc helped Gabriela to get in the carriage, closed the door and motioned for the visit to begin. 

Carlo looked at everything with a broken soul. He was very upset by Francis’ reaction, but it hurt more that the woman he loved, the woman he had long dreamed of, was with someone else. His mother knew him so well that she knew everything he felt. He put his hand on her shoulder and spoke in a soft voice.

“Carlo, understand that it will never be yours.” She will not give up her royal duty to you, no matter how much she loves you. To her, you’re just a brother. There is no love or marriage out of love in her world. Love for her is forbidden. Do n’t worry and don’t bother anymore. My boy, you are a strong and handsome man, you will find a wonderful girl, you will see. Besides, for her, you’re just like a brother. 

Carlo’s forehead furrowed in pain. He knew that look between them was more than brotherly love. He shook his mother’s hand and told her.

“And for the royal duty, do you have to agree to be treated like that?” Then he left, clutching the sword he had in his military uniform. 

In the carriage, the discussion between Gabriela and Francis continued. Francis was furious with Gabriela and Carlo. 

“It is not possible for a princess, my future queen, to behave like this with the employees!”

“There are people who raised me and taught me to be a princess.” 

“They’re just our employees.” 

“They’re still human,” Gabriela said sharply and nervously. 

There was silence for a few minutes. I heard all that was the trotting of the horses and the breeze that gently stroked their faces. Everyone was thinking about everything that had happened. Gabriela had only when she and Carlo looked at each other intensely. She was puzzled. They knew about the children, but now it was something different. Now that he was thinking, it was as if he had butterflies in his stomach that sent a small shiver down his body. Her heart was beating harder and harder. But Francis’ voice shattered his dream.

“Don’t be upset, I’m taking you to a wonderful place.” 

“Where are we going?” she said. 

“I’m not telling you now, you’ll see.” I’m taking you to a place where you’ll behave like a future queen.

Their discussion continued in a not very pleasant tone because Francisc continued to criticize Gabriela and her friendly behavior. 

“I’ve told you many times to behave like a princess.” There is little left and you will become queen. You act like you’re an ordinary man. 

“But I do,” Gabriela replied irritably. In addition, we are all human. 

“A princess does not embrace all employees. She does not take the children of servants in her arms. And besides, Carlo should take care of his business, so I’ll fire him.” 

          Gabriela became instantly angry. It’s like someone hit her in the back of the head. He hadn’t irritated her so badly when he criticized her. 

“It’s none of your business, Carlo. He’s my father’s employee. His duty is to protect me, even you. So he was just doing his duty. You exceeded the limit with your gestures,” Gabriela replied, screaming. Her forehead was perfectly smooth and white to frown, her blue eyes narrowed, her cheeks flushed, and they seemed to burn. Francis had never seen her like that. 

“Calm down, and if I said your father, you wouldn’t have reacted like that,” said Francis. It won’t protect you for long, he continued in his mind. 

There was a deep silence. They were both thinking about what had happened. Gabriela didn’t understand why she had reacted like that. Francis was right. He had endured many foolish words spoken by Francis and had not reacted like that. Carlo was just a brother to her, and to be honest, he had gone overboard. Why didn’t he have the courage to admit it to Francis? She had always done that. She was always honest. He had never been so angry before. When he thought of Carlo, his heart beat faster and the butterflies in his stomach flew faster, giving him a stronger thrill, shaking his whole body. Ever since Carlo had held her in his arms and his crossed eyes, something had changed completely. What was it? Did he fall in love? He had no choice. He was not allowed. She owed a debt to her people and to her parents. 

No one knew, but Gabriela had secretly overheard a conversation between Francis and her father, Philip.

King Philip was very upset because he was about to collapse. Philip was a tall, well-built man with gray hair. Although he had his own way of showing it, he was very honest, hardworking, and proud. He cared a lot about his people and his country. He tried as hard as he could not to borrow from neighboring countries, but he failed. When he found no way out, he sent a letter to France, considered the richest country. Great was his astonishment when even Francis, the Prince of France, came to the castle. But his astonishment was even greater when he heard the conditions. France will only help Spain if Gabriela marries him. If she does not marry, then France will attack Spain and conquer it. This was not at all favorable to Spain, which was already threatened by Portugal, which wanted to expand its borders. 

All countries regarded France as a powerful country, both economically and as an army. They also knew how much Francis admired Gabriela even before he met her face to face. Fr