With love, Spain

XII.

We were in one of the most secluded gardens of the palace, which was bordered by a small apple grove, the only division being a three-foot-wide stream. We had stolen some fruit from the kitchens, as well as pieces of cheese, ham, bread, and wine.

Our impromptu picnic led us to narrate about our experiences, update ourselves and mend the brotherhood that time had worn away.

Rio de la Plata was very interested in the technological advances that Great Britain had achieved in recent decades, even stating that his main reason for attending the wedding was to convince the Spanish Empire to allow him to purchase some plowing and farming machines. factory construction. His brothers commented on similar cases, even adding the need for rail networks to move supplies quickly.

The First Industrial Revolution, that Englishman was a pioneer, and then all of Europe, Asia and America jumped on the bandwagon, literally.

I also participated and was enthusiastic just like them. Imagining a technological and abundant future.

It was a beautiful day, warm, with our feet soaking in the stream and our laughter dancing in the wind. In anyone's eyes, we were a group of young people enjoying the afternoon.

Forgive my sad sigh, but even if years have passed, the nostalgia for that memory fades because when I remember Rio de la Plata, Argentina, looking me straight in the eye and saying that I planned to be independent... my heart shrinks .

I don't use the word "desire", which would be the equivalent of a meaningless dream, or "want", as a tantrum, but pronounced "I plan", that word made up of three vowels and three consonants implied that my little brother had gone from world of ideals and hymns to something more strategic, concrete and triggering.

-Well... The United States is doing well, its economy is growing and it is already stabilizing. Its people seem happy and have established "democracy", can you believe it? The people choosing their ruler, without the need for kings or monarchs, a chosen one who really can and wants to cooperate with us and for them.

New Spain had a peculiar shine in its eyes, it seemed to admire too much what that former colony had achieved.

Nueva Granada and Rio de la Plata nodded, their mouths exulting in praise of the idea of independence, doubting the solid institution of the monarchy, and criticizing our father for his lack of vision.

With each prayer I sank deeper and deeper into the earth.

-Shut up! Shut up now! Have you lost your mind? Did they drink salt water and it rendered them senseless? You can't be serious! Independence? That is blasphemy! I don't understand how you can talk about betraying the Empire so casually, crazy!

Surprised? Did you expect me to jump for joy, smile, and kiss their cheeks to encourage them to seek their freedom? What would I make a good big brother? Sorry to disappoint you, but it wasn't. I only felt anger, anger and betrayal, if it were up to me, I would beat common sense into their heads.

-How are you able to even think about betraying our father?- and I hit them on the head....

Maybe he was trying to get some common sense into them.

"He is HER father of him!" Nueva Granada clenched her fists, her orange eyes watering with unshed tears. But he is not mine- the girl she hugged herself-. The Spanish Empire is my boss, my foreman, my king, but nothing more. While you were here, sitting on your knee and playing happy family, receiving your love, I was alone, isolated... abused.

The image of my little brothers in rags and with marks on their bodies suddenly attacked me.

Nueva España approached her sister to surround her in a hug, Rio de la Plata, somewhat more serene, looked me straight in the face. Wow, the guy had grown! He was taller than me and it wasn't until I had him face to face that I finally realized it.