Snapshots of SoMo (Short Stories)

6. His reluctant bride (Part 1) (Demi Lovato)

Time period: 1469 Madrid, Spain

His Royal Highness Prince Joseph aged 21, was unexpectedly put on the throne of Spain after his distant uncle passed away. He took it in stride and went to work reorganizing bills/articles of government, and got rid of unsavory characters in his court. In the fourth year of his reign, the public was starting to question why he hadn't taken a wife and produced an heir. He normally ignored the rumors and had a few companions but they weren't serious. Now at 25, he wanted something different, a real romantic bond, not just a roll in the hay. That was the problem, there seemed to be a shortage of respectable eligible ladies in the kingdom who wanted the same thing. Upon finding out that news he was disappointed.

Mid spring morning - April

In order to solve his problem he enlisted the help of his childhood friend and personal advisor Diego. "Diego please tell me you have a list of some eligible ladies in your morning report?" "Your Majesty I'm afraid I only have two names." "TWO NAMES?! You've got to be kidding me?! How am I supposed to choose a bride from - nevermind just tell me the names." "24 year old Lady Juana Martinez and 22 year old Miss Leticia Candella." "Lady Juana is dreadfully boring and can't even string a sentence together, so she's out. Who's Miss Leticia?" "She's the daughter of our district's candlemaker Pedro and Maria Candella. She makes the sweet breads and jams, that you raid the kitchens for each Sunday like a madman." Normally one wouldn't so bold as to call the king a basket case, but Diego had that special privilege of being his oldest friend, so he was given a pass. "That sweetbread is the only thing that helps me get through Mass. I shall meet with her today." "Unfortunately, you have to meet with the Privy Council and then your mother for lunch out in the royal gardens." "Well how about this afternoon, I'm sure you can think of something." "Perhaps." King Joseph gave Diego a glare which meant he had to arrange a meeting with the woman and his boss, otherwise he'd be toast.

Later that same day

Leticia snuck off from the sevants quarters to get some fresh air in the nearby hallway. She heard some voices coming up behind her and hid behind a nearby column. There's somebody hiding nearby I can feel it! "Your Majesty you don't need to come down to the servants quarters to check on the candle order." I thought the king was older! I didn't know his voice sounded so smooth, like velvet! "Nonsense Diego I needed an excuse to get out of my study for a few minutes." Diego chuckled and they continued walking along towards the smaller rooms. Leticia relaxed and walked into the guest library and grabbed a book and curled up on a loveseat.

King Joseph was finishing his chat with Pedro but was puzzled. "Don Pedro didn't your daughter come with you this afternoon? I have an important matter I'd like to discuss with both of you." "Yes she did your Majesty but she appears to have disappeared on me again! I do apologize for the inconvenience. She has an adventurous spirit." "No it's no trouble, I don't mind a little distraction every now and then." He alerted the guards to quietly search the perimeter of the grounds so as not to scare her off. The last thing he wanted was to give her the impression that he was a tyrant. They returned quickly with no trace of her, so Joseph decided to search himself. How hard is it to find a woman seriously?

He, Don Pedro, and Diego began searching the corridors and rooms nearby and they were empty. Joseph noticed the guest library door ajar and slowly snuck into the room to get a look at her. ¡Ah Dios mío! She's an angel! She had taken off her bonnet and let her brown shoulder length hair down. Diego came in and announced, "Presenting his Majesty King Joseph!" She jumped up at the intrusion and dropped the book she was holding onto the floor. Leticia curtsied and kept her head down while Diego left the room shutting door behind him. "You can relax now dear." Her father went to side and held her hand since she was nervous. She looked up at Joseph and felt butterflies in her stomach. Holy cow, he's gorgeous! He was in semi formal clothing but she could see his sinewy muscles under his shirt sleeves. His skin was tan from being out in the sun chopping wood for his wood carving room. His grandpa taught him how to wood carve as a way to relax from the stress of the day. He continued the habit even after he came to the throne. "Good afternoon your majesty." They both reached for the book on the floor and their fingers brushed against each other, creating a spark.

He stepped back and sat down putting the book on the side table. Leticia and her father sat down across from him on the loveseat. "Don Pedro I'm asking for your permission to marry your daughter and make her my queen consort, after a three month courtship. If at the end of the courtship she's not interested in the marriage contract then I'll decline and let her pick a husband of her own choice." Leticia was glad she was sitting down otherwise she would've fainted from shock. "You've gotta be kidding me?! Papa you brought me all the way here for a marriage proposal?! I barely know this man!" Joseph remained quiet not wanting to interrupt their discussion, because he wanted her to make the choice on her own. "Leticia, don't be rude, I'm just as surprised as you are. Let's take a step back and think about it. While you and his majesty are courting you can get to know each other. The court will be pleased to see you on his arm." "Papa I know you and Mama only have a small dowry for me.Who's going to help mom with the bakery if I'm gone? I'm the only one who knows Nana's sweetbread and jam recipes by heart." The king perked up at the mention of the bakery. "I can issue a sponsorship for the bakery, and send assistance if needed my lady. As for her dowry, she can keep it and put it in a trust account for herself. I have no need of it." "Thanks your Majesty, but that's not necessary. We don't need your help." Don Pedro was horrified the snub she just gave the king. "Leticia Theresa Maria Rose! You're going to court his Majesty and apologize for being rude!" Seeing her father's rage Leticia realized she was defeated and had to go through with it. "My apologies your majesty, it wasn't my intention to insult you. How would this even work?" "I accept your apology and I have a plan as to how this will work."

He explained to them that for the next three Sundays she would accompany him to church. Her parents would sit in the pew behind them to show a united front for their daughter. That would get the ball rolling to quiet the rumors about the king being an oddball. He would also issue new dresses to be made for her while she was in his company as well. Mama is going to be thrilled with the new dresses! Leticia zoned out of the conversation again and stared at King Joseph's hands thinking impure thoughts. He caught her staring and raised his eyebrows in fascination at her. Leticia blushed scarlet and looked at the floor as the two men finished their discussion. As they were walking out of the library, Joseph took the back of Leticia's hand and gave it a light kiss, still feeling the spark run high between them. Diego must be a magician, because this definitely is a love match indeed! She will be mine before the courting is over.