The Crown

Twenty-Nine.

The Crown

One of the reasons why Alba lived in Grenada was because of the children's orphanage. She loved to visit the children, tell them stories and sing songs to them. Sometimes she would be given permission to take them out on field trips like the bakery or the local duck pond. Every time Alba visited the children's orphanage she brought her daughter, Gabriella along with her. Gabriella lives to play with the children. They would gather around Alba during story time and listen to a stories from the righteous kings book. This went on for years until Gabriella was old enough to help her mother take care of the children. The two of them would often cook food for them and the children would never see it as small deed.

Gabriella grew up with love and a strong burden for children. She had a vision to build a place for the those who were orphanage and forced out in the streets. Those who did not have education because they did not have enough money to afford for school. Those are the lives Gabriella wanted to help. If it was not for the righteous King, Alba would not have received a good job as a teacher and Gabriella would not have any education. Although the children were always saying rude things to her. Gabriella was always thankful to be receiving education.

After Alba was sacked out of the school from a false accusation, she still continued to teach her daughter, Gabriella at home. One day Gabriella came home from washing dresses to see her mother crying in her room. "Mother, what is wrong?" She asked her. "I do not have enough money to support us Gabriella. This life is so hard, it is so hard." Alba cried. Gabriella sat next to her mother on the floor and hugged her. "Were you not the one who always told me to be strong and courageous mama? The good prince knows our needs and he is going to provide them."

"Please hurry! We need to be back in the palace before the rain soaks us and we catch a cold." Manuel ordered the horse rider. The sky began to darken as little drops of rain fell. "It was so kind of you to pay for each and every one of those girls," Gabriella said. "I wanted to do it, making them happy made me happy. And that is how I know I am doing something out of love because I am happy doing it." Manuel explained, taking Gabriella's hand, bringing it up to his mouth and kissing it.

"I plan to visit the orphanage again after our wedding and give them a large donation," Manuel said, reading Gabriella's mind. "You read my mind, that is exactly what I planned to do but I am even more excited now, knowing that we are doing it together." She said.

"We are one, remember? Everything I have is yours and everything you have is mine. And let us not stop there. Let us build our own orphanages and schools for children who are abandoned on the streets and do not have money to support themselves or their education." Manuel suggested and just like he knew she would, she happily accepted.

"We have all the money and the ideas so why waste more time? Lets us change things around here. Raise great leaders and great people with love. Starting with one village at a time." Gabriella said. And so, both of them agreed on that vision. They were going to bless the hearts of Spain.

It began to rain heavily wetting their hair, their clothes, and their bodies. "Ah, it is raining now hurry!" Manuel got out of the carriage and helped Gabriella down after him, with Gabriella lifting her dress as they ran towards the entrance of palace when her boot accidentally slipped off her foot, running down the path of a stream. She let go of Manuel's hand to grab it but the puddles of rain carried it farther down away. "Ah no!" She laughed nervously following the boot down the stream. Thankfully, Manuel was fast enough to grab it before it joined an even bigger puddle. But here they were drenched in water as if they had come from swimming in a river.

"Ahahaha this is ridiculous!" Gabriella yelled spinning around as she lifted her face to the sky. "We look like mad children!" Manuel yelled under the heavy pouring rain. "Children with so much freedom!" Gabriella yelled shivering under the rain, the evening air was cooling. Then she felt the gentlest tug, Manuel held her close, keeping her warm.

Suddenly, her head tipped back and his lips touched hers. It was a gentle touch, so sensitive, she was not sure she'd felt this way at all. Before she knew what she was doing, she reached up to him. He sucked in a breath and pulled back nervously, just the slightest bit. His amber eyes, searching hers. Heat burned in her cheeks, keeping her face warm as her heart drummed in her chest. Manuel gathered her hair, her face, and all of her, claiming her lips with such force that in that very moment, her fantasy world revolved around him, it was magical.

~*~

They ran inside the palace, giggling and chuckling. Upstairs to his chamber they went, this was the first time Gabriella was entering the massive dark room. Several candles were lit making them able to see each other. Gabriella saw just how much Manuel admired the colour red. His curtains were red, his King-sized bed was red, she glanced at her red ruby ring to see if it was in check, he even brought her a red piece of long linen cloth to dry herself. She could not help but ask, "Manuel, why do you favour red so much?"

"It is the color of our royal family symbol, the blood of the lion that sacrificed himself for the people many many years ago. And well, the red ruby stone of Madrid. Ever since I saw the beautiful ore, red became my favourite color. It was also my father's favourite color."

"Hmm the lion reminds me a lot of the righteous king and what he did many many years ago. Where is the gem? Are you not allowed to see it anytime you wish?" Gabriella asked him. "The ore is so precious and fragile that it is not located in Madrid. My father's most trusted advisor has hidden it somewhere safe in Europe. When I am ready to give it to Jezebeth which is very soon, I will kindly hand it over to her with a smile on my face. She still continues to hurt people as we speak, thinking that I am not noticing." Manuel sighed lifting soaked white shirt off of his head and to the ground. It was the first time for everything when she was around Manuel. She had never been in a room with a half-naked man. As he turned around, Gabriella sucked in a sharp breath and could not look away as his shirtless torso was now exposed to her.

Gabriella, feeling more amazed as a wave of shock ran through her body. It was like nothing she had ever seen before. His chiselled chest and glowingly tanned skin from the reflection of the candles made him look like a god in human flesh; he was flawless. His tanned skin was so tempting to touch, every move giving away his strength. Gabriella felt paralyzed, standing by the side of his bed. "You look afraid Gabriella is it because of my scars?" He asked her as her eyes moved to the three wolves scratches by his side that had now healed. "May I?" Gabriella asked him and when he allowed her she touched the him, causing his body to tingle to her gentle touch. Gabriella explored the scars for the first time. If the wolves claws went any deaper, he could have died. "I can never be afraid of what makes you, you. The scars have now become part of your body. Consider it as a beauty mark." She said, as he caught her hand, holding it up to his lips. Manuel grinned making her nervous and cringe a little. "I am sorry Manuel, I have never been with a man before. Everything is still new to me, your kisses, your hugs."

"You will get used to it. You will get used to me and after we are wedded, we will explore each other. You are like no other, Gabriella. My love for you grows stronger by the day, and I cannot wait to have you in my-

KNOCK! KNOCK! Manuel was interrupted by strong knocks on his door. "Yes? You may speak." He said.

"My Lord, there is a woman downstairs. She is begging to speak with you. She said she has traveled all the way from Grenada and cannot got back without seeing you." Aaron said on the other side of the door. "Allow her in, tell her to wait in the parlor. I will be down in thirty minutes. Manuel said, tearing away from Gabriella. Teasing her had become part of his everyday routine.

~*~

A guest in the evening was strange. Usually guests would show up early in the morning to see the royal family. Manuel and Gabriella wondered who this woman can be. They held hands as they walked into the grand parlor together. Manuel did not recognize this woman but Gabriella certainly did, and almost immediately.

The Crown