The Crown

Twenty-One.

The Crown

"Mama, do you think I will ever fall in love?" Gabriella asked her mother this question for the first time because she felt like she was old enough. Sixteen years was the age that some of the girls were wedding these days. Alba came to sit next her daughter, she took her hands and smiled knowing that this would come. "Yes, you will fall in love my child. And the person who will love you, will value the true meaning of love. I know you ask me this question because you worry about your appearance. But the person who will love you, knows that you are beautiful, just the way you are."

"Thank you mama." Gabriella said as she wondered if it was right to ask her mother the next question. But she took a leap of faith and asked anyway. "Mama, did you fall in love with my father before things happened the way they did?" Alba sighed, before answering truthfully. "I wish I hadn't at the time, but I am glad I did because I would not have had you Gabriella. You are the only gift your father brought to me, and that is all I care about. I wish that the righteous King directed our relationship but he did not, I did not even know Him back then and I am so happy I do now because you have the chance to know how important it is to let the righteous King rule your relationship and your life. You have learned so much and you will continue to."

~*~

The next day had come and Gabriella felt better. It was the first night in many nights that she had cried herself to sleep. And it was not for letting Manuel go but for the words Denissa had said to her. She spoke like they had no history together, like she was just another slave at the Manor. And that was what Gabriella always feared, that lady Denissa would turn away from for something she did not mean to do.  But Denissa had always made Gabriella to believe that she was different, that she was the special black sheep amongst the white flock but now she learned to never depend on man, only righteous king was her aid.

~*~

Gabriella was washing her hands in the washbasin in the kitchen when she jumped to the whisper of Denissa's voice. "Did you succeed last night?"

"Yes, my lady." Gabriella said, trying to fix her frown with a smile. But she was failing, Denissa was not even looking at her, it was as if she was speaking to the air. Denissa was willing to Gabriella one last chance. She believed that Gabriella was not trying to break her relationship with prince Manuel. And that with time, things could heal. She did not mean to say all those rude things to her yesterday but she had to
quicken fear in her heart and that was the only way.

"Good, now when you are serving us breakfast the prince is going to ask you to sit with us which is completely improper for you to even agree in the least. I want you to kindly refuse and look for an excuse to walk away, I will defend you."

Gabriella nodded, feeling herself slowly fade away. Nothing mattered to her anymore. She felt lost and scared. She hoped that the prince would understand that nothing is wrong with her and he would ignore it.

Gabriella did what she always did whenever she assisted the royal family at breakfast. She would greet them all and begin serving them tea. But this time, she avoided eye contact with Manuel. He was too good at reading people and for her to stare at him for even a second, he would notice that something was wrong with her.

Manuel noticed that Gabriella was avoiding eye contact with him but for some reason he did not know. He did what he always did.

"Gabriella, please sit with us." He said, offering her a seat next to him. Gabriella stared at the seat next to him, then she glanced at Denissa who was warning her with silver eyes.