The Crown

Twenty-Seven.

The Crown

Manuel was hoping that supper would be better than the earlier meals. He was seated with Gabriella by right his side, his mother sat across from him and his grandmother sat next to his mother's left. "Aaron, I would like it if you sat with us." Manuel said with a happy smile. It was the very first tme Aaron was hearing this. He obeyed, taking his seat across from Manuel. As they began eating, Gabriella turned to Manuel and whispered, "Do we not pray to the righteous for providing this food for us?" Quickly remembering, Manuel nodded and said, "Please, may we never forget to make a quick prayer before eating."

Looking impressed, Isabella asked, "Who would like to pray for us?" Aaron offered and they all bowed their heads and closed their eyes as he prayed for the first time. "Dear, heavenly father. You are our righteous King, watching us from above. We want to thank you for blessing us with this abundance meal that when we eat it, we shall be blessed and full in your name, we have prayed, Amen." They all said Amen in agreement before eating.

"So how was your day Gabriella? Did you learn anything new in the palace? I hope that Emmanuel is showing you a new thing or two?" Rita asked her.

"I am learning gradually your grace. But I actually taught him and Aaron something new today." Gabriella said, staring at the two of them.

"Oh, well what was they that they learned?" Rita asked her.

"They are two new family members in the righteous King's kingdom. They accepted the good prince and His Father the righteous King to rule and guide their lives... Isn't it amazing?" Gabriella said.

"Yes! That is wonderful news. It was about time Manuel let the righteous King rule his life and I want Him to rule mine too. I want to know Him." Rita reached forward and grabbed her Gabriella's hands as she nodded firmly. "Will you help me... get to know him personally-

"Ma how dare you? That is quite a shame!" Isabella cut off her mother in complete fury and anger. We do not accept any religeous truths, we do not bow the knee to any false King's and we only serve one King, whoever sits on the throne and rules the Kingdom, and ourselves! You rubbish girl, do not bring such stupidity into our family." She shot a deadly glare as she pointed a finger directly at Gabriella.

"Isabella, nonsense! I am very sorry Gabriella, she will learn to stop acting like a child and adjust eventually." Rita said watching Gabriella nod. But everyone knew on that table that Isabella's adjustment were many months or maybe even years from now. "You are not behaving like the Queen that you are." Rita glared at her childish daughter angrily.

Manuel had always left Isabella at the tip of his hand and today he had, had just enough. He stood up abruptly catching the attention of everyone in the room. Even the servants glanced up from what he was doing. "When will you learn to grow up! You say your are my Mother, my Queen Mother. But the only thing I see is a selfish woman that needs to work on her pride-

"I am selfish? My pride!? You did not even ask for my blessing when you chose to propose to this disappointment- this is a disgrace to our family,
and you know that very well." Isabella argued, interrupting her son.

"I have done my part mama, I have asked you for forgiveness and moved on, if you refuse to support me and my choice then I suggest you pack your bags, because when I become King I do not want you in the palace." He wiped his mouth with the handkerchief and threw it on her plate before walking away in disappointment.

Aaron rubbed his forehead and sighed placing his hand over Gabriella's. Breakfast did not go well, lucheon certainly did not and now dinner was a wreck. Gabriella was starting to doubt that Isabella would ever see her as a daughter in law.