We don't want to force him to marry you, just as we don't intend to force you to marry him without mutual love.
Then I don't understand, Momma. There is no mutual love between us.
Oh, my dear, Isabelle. Listen to what I'm about to tell you, the duchess said. The feeling of love comes and goes. It is temporary for most people. Only a small number of people claim that love is permanent. I'm not sure that's true, though. At least I haven't met such people yet.
How come, Momma? Don't you and my father truly love each other?
Your father and I have true love, my angel, but only at the end of life can one come to a definitive conclusion. For some people, love is the fruit of their illusions. For some, love is a real hot flame in the soul that can ignite itself. But it is also possible to ignite it in someone else. Conditions, desire, and time play a big part in this.
We, our little angel, will create the conditions for you and Afonso. You show your desire to see him as a conqueror of your heart and to enchant him. The rest is a matter of time.
Is it really that simple, Momma? the infanta asked.
Oh, no, my darling. It's not, the duchess responded. To ignite a flame in someone's soul, you must have that flame yourself. Love is infectious and overwhelming. Love is an art. Art is exciting, but it's never easy. And whether this art becomes a masterpiece depends on the talents of the master who creates it.
And remember one more thing: A woman's strength is her weakness. Men like to feel superior in strength and courage. Once you learn to show your weakness and timidity, success will be inevitable.
How interesting this all is, Momma, the infanta said. You have revealed so many new and exciting things. I would be glad if you could help me put it all into practice.
I will try to explain all this to you in general terms, my precious, Isabella said.
Remember, no one can teach you how to behave in any situation. Only your feelings and intuition can tell you how to act. Dont be afraid of that. You have inherited these innate qualities from me, your father, your grandparents, and your ancestors. You are of royal blood. We gave you an excellent education. You already have everything in you that you can use in any situation. However, your father and I may not always be by your side and cannot always help you with our advice. But you don't need us. Listen to your heart, and it will tell you the right path.
The duchess continued: We are sending you to the Duchy of Burgundy to your and Afonso's beloved aunt, the Duchess Isabella of Burgundy. She has invited us to her son Charles fifth wedding anniversary, but we have decided to send just the two of you. You will have plenty of time to spend together while sailing on the ship, and then you will have a journey in a carriage to Burgundy. We will inform her in advance so she can create the right conditions for you to make your feelings emerge and flourish. The rest will be up to you.
How interesting and romantic this whole thing is, Momma, the infanta replied. I am grateful for your concern and trust in me. I am also grateful for your advice. And, from the bottom of my heart, I agree to all your instructions and will do my best to make everything come true.
That's wonderful, my child, the duchess said. I am sure you will do well with our blessing and the Almighty's help. Now, let me leave you. And remember, Isabella, our conversation must remain a secret. Do not tell anyone not your brothers, sisters, friends, or future children. It is our secret. We will formally inform Afonso and everyone about your upcoming journey tomorrow after matins at the family breakfast.
The duchess stood up, approached her daughter, took her by the elbows, and said goodbye. From today, sweetheart, a new chapter in your story begins, and remember, you are the sculptor of your fate. Bless you, and God be with you.
After kissing her, the duchess headed for the door and added: I will go prepare for this God-blessed voyage.
The next day, after matins, the royal family gathered as usual in the breakfast hall. As planned, Duke Pedro announced the invitation his sister gave to them to go to the Duchy of Burgundy.
The Royal Council has approved this trip, he said reassuringly. It is essential for our nation to maintain kinship ties with the rulers of those nations who will be happy to lend a hand in times of need. In the same way, friendly relations between countries lead to better trade relations, which improves the countrys welfare.
However, the present political situation in our country is precarious, the duke explained. So we have decided to remain here. In our place, we have chosen Afonso and Isabella to represent us. They will stay with my sister for a few weeks, and will return to the palace after this celebration. You will have a wonderful voyage by ship. Your aunt will also take you to some fabulously beautiful places in Burgundy. You have been within the walls of this palace for a long time, and we hope that this journey will enable you to see the world in more varied and vivid colors.
What do you say, Afonso and Isabella?
I've always dreamed of traveling to different countries, Afonso exclaimed excitedly. Even in my dreams, I often see myself as either a sailor or a noble knight performing valiant feats. I am very grateful to you, uncle, and to you, aunt, for your care. You always think of things to do for me to make me feel more satisfied.
I am delighted to have such a wonderful journey and will be glad to visit my aunt, said Isabella meekly. Thank you, father and mother. I am used to being near you, so it is frightening to know that you will be far away from me.
Isabella! exclaimed the duchess. You will not be alone. By stating his innermost dreams, Afonso has revealed that he is like a valiant knight in the depths of his heart. He will always care for you and not let anyone hurt you on water or land. Isn't that so, Afonso?
Oh, Isabella, said Afonso.
His voice had pathos in it.
You don't have to worry about your safety. You have nothing to fear. I am perfectly capable of handling a weapon. Please, uncle, let me take with me not an instructional sword but a real one so I can protect the infanta from ill-wishers.
Of course, Afonso, Pedro answered assuringly. It is always prudent to take the best weapons on long journeys. You can choose any weapon from the king's arsenal.
And, for you, my Isabella, Pedro continued, I will also be reassured. I will remember that next to you is the son of a hero of Portugal, my brother, King Edward I, who showed himself as an incomparable navigator and an unsurpassed hero in the African wars. Afonsos son is his blood, so he sees what is destined to happen to him even in his dreams.
The duchess joined the conversation. Your cousin, my dear Isabella, is as noble and brave as his father. We would not send you if we were not sure that you would be in safe hands.
Thank you, uncle and aunt, for your kind, faithful words about my father and me, said Afonso proudly, with a twinkle in his eye.
After breakfast, Fernando, overjoyed to hear of Afonso's departure from the palace, went to his room in high spirits. He loved and respected his brother and had always trusted him, but deep down, he still feared that Afonso might become his potential love rival.
Now, no one can stop me from winning Isabel's heart, he thought as he walked to the table after he entered his room.
He carefully took the poems he had written the night before and reread them, kissing the place where the name Isabel was written. He took a quill and wrote on the back, From your admirer. Then he carefully rolled up the parchment with the verses, tied it with a scarlet string, and lightly applied floral oil to the edges of the parchment. He then headed to the part of the palace where Isabel's room was.
As he walked down the corridor that led to her room, Fernando slowed his pace. His heart was pounding. When he was sure the corridor was empty, he walked to Isabels door, tied the parchment to the doorknob, knocked on the door, and ran back down the corridor. He hid behind a column and listened. Soon, he heard the door open. Now Fernando could not only hear his heart beating, but he could feel an intense throbbing in his temples. Fernando heard the sound of the door closing, and he breathed a sigh of relief, satisfied with the thought that everything had gone as planned.
Will she understand that the poems are from me? Fernando thought as he went back to his room. She couldn't help feeling that I was madly in love with her, although I tried not to show it outwardly, he reasoned. And how would she feel about that if she understood that?
He entered his room, approached the mirror, imagined her in front of him, and said, Isabel, may I reveal my feelings for you? When I saw you for the first time, my heart immediately told me that destiny had sent you to me. I fell in love with you at first sight. I dream of you day and night.
So let me offer you my hand and heart, he continued. Let me become your suitor. If you are unsure of your feelings, I beg you not to refuse my request. Let me prove how strong my love is. I am sure you will experience the same feelings for me as I have for you in time.
As he walked over to the bed, he lay down and imagined Isabel untying the parchment string and reading his poems. Then his head began to fill with other things, and his thoughts sweetly stirred until he dozed off, nestled against the pillow.
The ship on which Prince Afonso and infanta Isabella were to set out on their first sea voyage was outfitted in a matter of days.
In the palace, everything went on as usual. The duke and duchess began to feel anxious two weeks later, waiting to hear from their daughter, and dreaming and praying that their plans would come true.
Finally, the duchess received the long-awaited letter from Isabel, which said the following:
Hello, Momma.
For several days now, we have been sailing, admiring the vastness of the sea, the sea creatures and fish, the sea birds, and the beauties of the lands we observe as we sail along the coasts of many countries.
I am very grateful to you, Momma, for your instructions, and I always try to follow them when I have the opportunity. Afonso, unfortunately, is not affected by my passion. He spends more time on deck than in the cabin with me, admiring nature and talking at length with the ship's captain, listening to his tales of military adventures in which he once participated. He also engages tirelessly in sword fighting with the attendant you sent with us.
While trying to set his heart on fire, I suddenly discovered that I had fallen madly in love with him, and I no longer feel the same way about him as I had. I saw him as a real gentleman, and I couldn't think of anything or anyone but him. And this feeling has become painful because he does not see me as a senhorita.
The ship's captain said we would be docking at our destination tomorrow morning. As you instructed, I will give this letter to our escort. My only hope now is in my Aunt Isabella of Burgundy, whom you asked for help with our plans. I pray to the Almighty for help for our whole family and me.
Your devoted daughter,
Infanta Isabella.
Two months later, a second message was delivered to the palace. The Duchess of Burgundy sent her trusted man on a merchant ship to Portugal. As was commanded, he handed the letter to Duke Pedro and told him: Your Highness! I am sailing back to the Duchy of Burgundy on one of the merchant ships in three days. If your Highness wishes to send Her Serene Highness a message, you may do so through me. Pedro thanked the messenger and said he would give him a letter on the day he sailed.
After the messenger left, Pedro immediately sent a servant to fetch Duchess Isabella.
As soon as Isabella entered the duke's study, she immediately guessed from her husband's enthusiastic face that news had come from Burgundy.
She hurriedly approached his desk, and as she sat down, she noticed a rolled-up parchment with a wax seal in Pedro's hands.
Oh, my darling! Oh, my Pedro! Oh, what I see! Isabella began to exclaim in ecstatic laughter. How kind of you not to have torn the wax and instead waited for me so we could hear the long-awaited news together. The letter, of course, was not sent by our daughter, the duchess concluded with a sad note in her voice. I see the seal of Burgundy stamped on the wax seal.
You are very observant, my keen Isabella, Pedro remarked, tearing the sealing wax carefully from the parchment.
Unrolling the parchment, he began to read:
My dear brother, Pedro,
Forgive me for taking so long to send word. I did not want to disturb you until the ice between Afonso and Isabella broke.
As you asked me to, I created the most favorable conditions for my dear nephew and niece. They traveled together to the most romantic parts of Burgundy, riding through our forests and taking part in forest hunts. One day, at my instruction, the guards on the hunt fell behind the prince and infanta by staging a wild boar chase. This took place by the lake, where a chic, well-protected hut had been set up beforehand. As planned, the prince and infanta had to spend the night there. In the morning, my servants found them in the hut asleep in each other's arms. From that day on, it was obvious that an affair had begun between them.
And today, Isabella and Afonso confessed at our family breakfast that Afonso had given his heart to Isabella and proposed to her. Isabella accepted his proposal. I immediately hastened to inform you of this joyful news. So, my dear brother, your joke about handing me Cupid's arrow was not groundless. Strange as it may seem, the arrows of Cupid have not rusted in the hands of your half-century-old sister.
In a week, we will be celebrating my son Charles anniversary. And the day after the celebration, I will send Afonso and Isabella home. Charles has become very close to his cousins and has asked them to send him an invitation to their engagement.
A big kiss to all my sweet nephews and my admiration to your wonderful wife, Isabella, for giving her boundless affection and love to her children and the children of my late brother, Edward.
Your faithful and loving sister,
Isabella of Burgundy
How kind of your sister to say thank you, said the duchess, wiping tears from her eyes with a silk handkerchief. I am so touched by her kindness and grateful for what she has done for us. We will surely have to invite your sister's entire family to Isabella and Afonso's engagement celebration.
That's right, answered Pedro. I intended to send our reply tomorrow. Along with deep gratitude to my sister, we should also invite my sister and her husband, Duke Philip the Good,34, and their entire family to the engagement ceremony. We need to have the ceremony immediately before Eleanor finds other ways to contact her sons.
Tomorrow, I will call a royal council, he continued. After Afonso and Isabella return, we will decide which day will be appropriate to notify everyone of the engagement and have the Duke and Duchess of Burgundy and other distinguished guests arrive so we can have the ceremony as soon as possible.
The news of the imminent engagement of Prince Afonso and infanta Isabella quickly spread throughout the palace. The court became unusually animated. All the courtiers were instructed to prepare for the celebration. Isabel Zarco also received an assignment directly from the duchess. She was to speed up Fernando's training so he, as Afonso's brother, would not fail at the ball, which was to be scheduled immediately after the betrothal ceremony.