Royal Destiny: The Forced Union of Princess Leonor and Princess Catalina

part 8

Part 8: The Loss of Catalina

Months passed, and Catalina and Leonor became the faces of a new era of royalty—one that embraced authenticity, modernity, and love. Together, they faced the challenges of their roles, standing side by side as equals, partners, and soon-to-be spouses. The world watched as their bond deepened, admiring their strength and determination.

But fate is a cruel, unpredictable force.

It happened suddenly, on a routine trip to Portugal. Catalina had traveled ahead for a diplomatic mission, set to meet with local officials about a charity initiative close to her heart. Leonor was due to join her a few days later.

The day was sunny, bright, and normal, until the news came.

Leonor was in a meeting with her advisors when her phone rang. She glanced at the screen, noting it was one of Catalina’s security team members. She answered, expecting a casual update. Instead, she was met with words that shattered her world.

“Your Highness, there’s been an accident. Catalina’s car… it collided with a truck. She’s been taken to the hospital.”

Leonor’s breath caught in her throat. Her mind raced, her heart pounding as panic set in. “Is she—how bad is it?” she managed to ask, her voice shaking.

The response was grave. “She’s in critical condition. You need to come immediately.”

Within moments, Leonor was on a private plane to Portugal, her mind numb with terror. Time seemed to stretch endlessly during the flight, her heart aching with the uncertainty of it all. She couldn’t imagine a world without Catalina. The very thought was too painful to bear.

When she arrived at the hospital, she was rushed through a maze of corridors, her mind barely registering the chaos around her. When she finally reached the ICU, the sight of Catalina lying motionless in the bed, surrounded by machines and tubes, tore through Leonor’s soul.

Doctors and nurses were speaking, but Leonor couldn’t focus on their words. All she saw was Catalina—her face pale, her body still. She rushed to her side, taking her hand in hers, willing her to wake up, to fight.

Hours passed. The medical team did everything they could, but the damage was too great. Catalina had suffered severe internal injuries, and despite their efforts, her body began to shut down.

Leonor sat beside her, holding her hand, whispering words of love and encouragement. “Please, Catalina, don’t leave me. I can’t do this without you. We have so much more to do—our lives, our future. Please…”

Catalina’s eyes fluttered open for a moment, her gaze unfocused. She smiled weakly, her voice barely audible. “I love you… always,” she whispered, her hand squeezing Leonor’s one last time.

Then, the monitors flatlined, and the world shattered.

Leonor cried out, her heart breaking as Catalina slipped away. The room became a blur of sounds and movement, but Leonor was numb to it all. All she could feel was the emptiness, the unbearable void where Catalina’s presence had been.

The world mourned the loss of a beloved princess, but no one felt the grief as deeply as Leonor. She had lost not just her partner, but the love of her life, her future, her everything.

In the days that followed, Leonor was a shell of herself. She attended the funeral, spoke the necessary words, but inside, she was broken. The weight of her loss was unbearable, and every day without Catalina felt like a battle she wasn’t sure she could win.

The palace was draped in black, a symbol of mourning for a princess gone too soon. But for Leonor, no outward display could match the depth of the grief that consumed her. Every corner of the palace reminded her of Catalina—the laughter they had shared, the dreams they had nurtured.

As time passed, Leonor knew she had to find a way to move forward. But she also knew she would never truly heal. Catalina was a part of her, and now that part was gone, leaving behind an emptiness that could never be filled.

The world had lost a princess, but Leonor had lost her heart.