The Crown

Seventeen.

The Crown

"The giving King" Many called him, because he was always giving. "The kingdom never lacked so why should my country?" He asked his wife Isabella who was preparing for the outing. They had not made a name for it yet but it became a tradition three years ago when it started. "King Marcus!" The people yelled and shouted, waving for him to touch them. Or maybe they just wanted the food, but this tradition had been happening for three years so Isabella felt so comfortable, she loved seeing a smile on the faces of those who deserved it. Isabella hopes that her future son would be just like his father, free -spirited, kind and caring. That day, king Marcus name was being shouted and talked of all over the town of Madrid. It encouraged him to do more, and give more out to other small villages around that did not have anything.

~*~

Isabella, her mother Rita, and their guests Duchess Helene and her daughter Denissa were having breakfast in the dining room when Manuel appeared behind his mother and kissed her on the cheek. "Buenos Dias mama." He greeted her.

"Morning my son." Isabella was surprised by his welcoming presence as she greeted him back with a pleased smile. Manuel then greeted his grandmother and the Duchess Helene. They were surprised to see him do so, certainly because he was changing.

Denissa was happy for the family all together, happy again. Manuel sat next to her, taking her hand and giving it a light kiss. "Emmanuel, the people's hatred for you is growing by the day. I wanted us to speak with the royal court about this and hear some of their ideas." Isabella said.

"No, there is no need mama. Aaron my advisor will give me the best ideas, we do not need to make this bigger than it already is."

Charcoal came by with more hot water for the family, Manuel observed her closely, watching as she poured hot water into Denissa's teacup. She smiled while doing it, maybe because she was nervous or because she was simply doing it out of the kindness of her good heart.

"Gabriella, join us." Manuel offered her a seat next to him. The family was surprised by this, perhaps Manuel was changing too much and too quickly. Isabella was skeptical about what had just happened, Rita was happy to see that her son was friendly to everyone, even servants. Denissa and her mother Helene were angry and confused but of course they did not show such emotion.

"Emmanuel, do you want us to call her that?" Isabella asked.

"Yes mother." He answered simply. Denissa was not taking this well, she tapped Manuel on the arm, wanting to correct him."My Lord, her name is Charcoal. That is the name we gave-

"I simply do not care, you are in my palace and my country, which means you are under my command. You will not call her Charcoal, her real name is Gabriella and this goes for all the servants. Now, would you like it if we called you strawberry, or perhaps ginger?" Manuel pointed out as he chuckled a little. This made Denissa annoyed and her mother angry.

Isabella can see the same character of her husband in her son. That same kind and caring attitude mixed in with a little bit of pride. Charcoal, on the other hand, felt very uncomfortable knowing that the family did not want her seated with them. She folded her hands in her lap, smiled left to right and did not touch anything on the table. She did not want to upset lady Denissa if she had not already.

~*~

"I cannot stand that child!" Helene Ilbrando hissed as she walked back inside her room. "Mama let us hold ourselves together. Charc- Gabriella did not mean to upset us, she is my most trusted maid." Denissa said, trying to believe her own words.

"I hope so Denissa, I never trusted that girl from the moment you brought her into our Manor. She better not try to steal your fiancé away from you. He is too friendly with that girl. He is your future, your everything. I cannot stand here and let him slip from your fingers, at least warn her before things get worse." Helene told Denissa.

Helene cared about her daughters marriage more than anything, if Denissa became Queen then she would swim in the abundance of riches and glory, she would attend Royal brunches and balls. She would never lack anything again. But she knew that if Denissa allowed Charcoal to be around Manuel too often or Manuel to be friendly with Charcoal that it would turn into something greater. Denissa knew this too and had to stand her ground. She worried about this every breathing moment and just wanted it off of her mind.

~*~

"Thank you for gathering here with me today." Manuel spoke to both Aaron and Gabriella who looked at each other with confusion on their faces. "My mother wanted us to discuss with the royal court about this but I refused, I do not need go through the noise because I have you two." He said, staring at them both.

"Aaron you have been with me ever since I can remember and I trust you more than anyone. Gabriella, you are new into my life but you have been a true miracle, your opinions mean a lot to me. So we all know about the battle with the people of Spain, they hate my guts and want them out of my body and thrown into a pit." Manuel explained. But Gabriella was happy to hear that she was a miracle in someone's life. Most people saw her as a curse but Manuel's words blessed her heart.

"My Lord, they only say things they cannot do, a simple apology will warm their hearts." Aaron said finally watching Manuel nod. What is your opinion Gabriella?" Manuel turned to ask her.

"An apology is considered but what about a kind apology gesture? You go down to the poor side of Spain to places like Elche or Murcia, handing out desserts to children and apologizing to them all in one."

"But that would sacrifice a lot of time Gabriella. Our prince does not have such time to waste-

"It is not waste Aaron, it is sacrifice of my time. And I will do it because they deserve it and also because I walk by the kitchen everyday, watching different kinds of foods being thrown away." Manuel cut him off to answer.

"Well, then I will prepare you for tomorrow?" Aaron asked in excitement. "Yes, and prepare yourself as well... you too Gabriella, I want you both present." Manuel said watching as Gabriella froze.

Aaron bowed before leaving the room to make arrangements for the next day, he always loved adventure."You might think I am trying to steal you away from Lady Denissa but no, I do not see you as a court maid nor an advisor but my friend." He said for the very first time to anyone.

"Really? A friend?" Gabriella felt her blurry eyes cover up with tears. She never in four years could have guessed that she would be friends with prince.

"Yes, and I am still finding the courage to tell Aaron as well. But you two make me feel like myself when I am around you. I do not know how, but you bring out the best in me."

And she really did bring out the best in him, Gabriella was seeing the good fruits progressing in his life day by day. But what he did not know was that he too brought out the best in her. Gabriella was learning to love herself each day because of him.

She wanted to change herself to love herself to become the best version of herself.

The Crown