The Crown

Thirty-One.

The Crown

"Arise and shine." Gabriella surprised Manuel with breakfast in bed, chocolate chip mini muffins were his favourite with hot fresh vanilla bean tea. After setting the tray on the bed beside him, she kissed him good morning. "What is all of this for?" He asked her. "Well, yesterday the servants noticed all of your hard work. You served us all three meals from morning to evening, you swept the kitchen floor, helped wash and wipe the plates and spoons. So this morning I am congratulating you with your favourite breakfast." She answered, watching him take a bite of the muffin. "Mmmm, there is that taste I have been longing for again." He said before sniffing the vanilla scent from the hot air escaping from the teacup.

"Wait, I am confused..."

"It was not Denissa who made me chocolate muffins last time was she? It was you. If you ask me how I know that so well it is because I saw you that day baking them. Denissa promised me that she would bake it with her very own hands so I decided to see if she was going, to be honest. I was not surprised when I snuck by the kitchen and saw you baking it instead." Manuel explained.

"I did foolish things for Denissa, I am thankful that I am no longer a prisoner in her cell."

"And soon I will no longer be a prisoner to the ruby stone. My father's advisor is arriving today. And by tomorrow afternoon it will no longer be in my possession." Manuel said, shaking his head. He did some to care for it anymore, the only thing that worried him was what Jezebeth was planning to do with it.

"We have placed it all in the righteous King's hands, right? It is not holding us back anymore." Gabriella said. Manuel loved how she said 'we' in most of their conversations. Because they were one, they were supposed to get through everything together.

~*~

Gabriella left Manuel some privacy to eat and think alone. Gabriella had so many questions she wanted to ask Manuel about concerning the ruby stone and most importantly, his family. Who was the young brunette amber-eyed girl standing behind Manuel? Who was she? Gabriella stood in front of the giant wall of portraits everyday,))) asking herself the same question with no answers to it. One day she would ask him.

"Gabriella. May we speak outside?" Isabella asked Gabriella. When She nodded, wondering what Isabella wanted to speak to her about. The two of them walked over to the balcony in the sitting room. "Where is your mother? I have not seen her all morning?" Isabella asked Gabriella.

"She is with your mother, your Grace. They were going through some wedding arrangements in town." Gabriella explained. "Hmm they seem to be the best of friends these days." Isabella said, trying to bring up a subject that will soften a conversation. But in her status, that was not necessary.

"Gabriella, what do you see in my son?" She asked her. "I see a beautiful King that will give up anything for the people that he loves. A forever changed man."  Gabriella explained. It was a very honest, simple answer.

"Your Grace. I know that I am a disgrace in this family to you, I know that I have broken many laws just trying to fit in. Although I did not do it on purpose, that was how far I went because I love your son. I did not deserve his love or this royal life based on where I came from. But the righteous King had His own plans all along."

"I agree, I was acting like a child instead of the Queen that I ought to be. From now, I will try best to  know you and direct you." Isabella could not bring herself to say the word "love" but she was getting there one day at a time.