The Crown

Eighteen.

The Crown

Gabriella woke up early in the morning and prayed, she thanked the righteous King for making her see another day. "You might think I am trying to steal you away from lady Denissa but no, I do not see you as a maid, nor advisor but my friend."

Gabriella thought of the words Manuel said, smiling to herself. She had a soft place for him in her heart and anytime she was near him she felt happier and that soft place in her heart would warm up.

"You are eating with the royal family now?" Felicia, one of the maids asked Gabriella.

"I am not quite sure. Just because the prince asked me once does not mean it is a routine now."Gabriella resumed doing her work when Aaron walked inside the kitchen.

"Gabriella, the prince is preparing for the gesture. He wishes to see you in the grand parlor.

~*~

"Yes, my Lor- Manuel." Gabriella bowed before entering.

"Call me whatever you would like, whichever is comfortable for you." Manuel smiled, suffering to button his cuffs.

Was she supposed to assist him? She was not used to this sort of situation. Following her instincts, she walked over to his wardrobe where he stood and helped him. After all, helping others was always something the peaceful prince did.

"Thank you." He said.

"You are welcome, you called me?" She asked him again, bringing the back to his mind.

"Oh, oh yes. I do not know how to interact with people because I have always been away by myself and I am afraid that I might do something to offend them." Manuel explained.

"Do not worry, I will help you." Gabriella smiled.

~*~

"In the righteous King's book, He always smiled. That will let them see your heart through your facial expressions." Gabriella demonstrated, smiling and waving at the children as Manuel and Aaron copied.

"The righteous King lowered himself to the level of the poor, today we will walk instead of riding in that carriage. We are givers and they are receivers." Gabriella stepped down from the carriage along with Manuel and Aaron. They began handing out cookies and muffins to the children. Manuel was pleased to see that the children were happy. Some had not eaten all day. He knew that his father was watching him from above with a smile in his face.

"Throw it away child, it could be poisoned for all we know." But some parents were not happy with the prince, they stared at him bitterly.

Manuel wanted to tell the woman that acted rudely towards him that he was the prince, showing disrespect is forbidden. But then he remembered the words of Gabriella. The righteous King lowered himself to the level of the poor, we are givers and they are receivers.

So he grabbed a cookie from the basket and ate it in front of the woman to prove that it was not poisoned, he noticed the guilt on the woman's face. He gave her a muffin and smiled before walking away.

"You are doing so great my lord!" Aaron yelled in the big crowd of people.

"Same to you Aaron, same to you." Manuel responded feeling proud. This was the first time he had done this and watching the people smile and thank him, made him determined to continue. He then knew that he could not sacrifice all these people's lives for the sake of his inheritance. He was the one to sacrifice himself, his possession, and all his belongings for the sake of the people. He needed time to think no more.

Manuel climbed inside the carriage and stood up so that crowds of people could see him from yards away. "I am going to save you all!" He yelled bravely. "Just you wait and see, no more death, pain, or sorrow will be cursed upon you, I will take that all for you. The people of Spain will live!" Even though the people did not believe and some did not care.
Gabriella as so proud of Manuel's progress. He was becoming a great King. It reminded her of the good prince. He told his people that He was going to redeem them. Some did not believe and some did not trust Him. But those who did in the end were saved, Gabriella strongly believed that Manuel was going to save Spain from it's enemy and she was going to help him every step of the way.

The Crown