On my twenty-third birthday, I invited everyone who had come the previous year, but most of them decided not to attend because I had rejected several of their marriage proposals. During the dance before the first feast, Prince Fortis approaches me. — It is a pleasure to see you again, princess. Your beauty blossoms like spring.
— I'm flattered — I say with a smile.
— I would like to know someday what conclusion you have reached about our future plans.
— I don't think there are any plans that could be for both of us — I say, and I retreat to the castle corridors.
I arrive at the room overlooking the garden my father adores. The sun shines brightly through the shade provided by the trees, and the beautiful colours of the flowers are vivid. — It's a beautiful garden — says a voice in the room that sounds somewhat familiar to me — I'm sorry, I didn't mean to startle you.
— How did you get here, Prince Fortis? Did you follow me here?
— I understand your confusion — he says and approaches the light where I can see his face better. His resemblance is incredible, but there is something different about him, I don't know if it's his nose or if his head is smaller. — I'm the brother of the prince you know. My name is Emer Griseo - he continues. - I couldn't come the first time you sent the invitation last year.
— Oh! - he seems to be waiting for me to say something - It's a pleasure to meet you, Prince — I say, extending my hand. He takes it, removes my glove, and the touch of his lips on the back of my hand makes my heart skip a beat.
— My brother failed to describe in words how beautiful you are — he says. I can't help but smile with him.
— Would you like to see the garden? — I ask, hoping to get him to stop looking at me.
— It's the most beautiful garden I've ever seen.
— Are you interested in gardening?.
— I have a certain interest in it. I don't know much, but sometimes I like to keep track of the things that grow in my castle's garden, to learn about the process. When I arrived here, I knew that you must have a warm climate. It must be wonderful to cultivate plants.— It is common for people to produce most of their own food.
— Fascinating. Would you mind if I took that idea for my own country?
— I assume not, — I say with a smile. We sit down together at the fountain. — Your brother didn't mention that you had a twin.
— He tends to omit that fact. I assume he thinks everyone knows or that it's obvious.
We talk for a long time until a maid approaches to announce that the first banquet is about to begin. Then, sitting at the table, I can finally see the difference between Fortis and Emer. Emer's face is slightly longer than his brother Fortis's, but I could tell them apart by the tone of their voices. But why would I be interested in telling them apart? It's clear that I won't see either of these men again for another year.
I will probably marry some nobleman, have a child or two, and then murder him with poison, or I might simply commit suicide. At the end of the day, I don't think I would do such things.
After a week in the castle, Prince Emer approached my father to ask for help in repairing his ship. My father agreed.
Every afternoon, Emer and I meet to paint. It is an interesting pastime that we can participate in while being watched, in addition to reading or playing a musical instrument. Then came the day when I finished painting a gathering in the countryside. I drew a couple of people under a tent in the castle meadows playing chess. — It's beautiful - he comments with a smile on his face. - You've really improved your skills with the brush.
— What did you draw? - I ask teasingly. - No prince could be so pretentious.
— I'm sorry if my opinion seems rude - he says. I laugh at his attempts to prevent me from looking at his painting until I manage to see it. He has painted me, me in a chair near the library window. The way my fingers hold a book and the profile of my face are accurate.
— How thoughtful - I murmur to myself - It's indeed a beautiful painting — I say. I smile when our eyes meet. He is so close that with just a whisper I could feel the texture of his lips.
— It's for you — he says, marking his distance by moving closer to the painting — I'm glad you like it.'
— It's certainly a beautiful painting — Just by hearing my grandmother's voice, I know she's scolding me. I forgot she was watching us - It's time for dinner — she announces. On the way to the dining room, she takes me by the arm so that Prince Emer can go ahead of us — Wasn't it forbidden to put an eye on Rubrum Vallem?
— It's not the same thing.
— He's still a prince of that country, dear child — says my grandmother.
— He's different from his brother — I reply and continue on to the dining room.
One afternoon after my weekly meeting with my father, Emer approaches me in the castle corridors — Do you ride horses, Princess?
— We can go to the meadows this afternoon if you like — I say. We leave through the forest near the castle to avoid the sun and enjoy the fresh air.
— I heard you rejected my brother's marriage proposal - he says, approaching me on his horse. - Is there a reason for this?
— I don't want my opinions about your family to make you uncomfortable.
— I promise that what I think about my brother will not interfere with our friendship. What's happened? — he asks after a long silence.
— He's impertinent - I say - His marriage proposal was based on hidden interests that he did not wish to reveal. I do not trust that his intentions are the best for the integrity of my country or yours.
— I understand — he says and begins to smile from below until he looks up, his eyes lit up with the orange hues of the sunset. — It's getting late, princess.
— I'd like to watch the sunset.
— I don't want to cross the boundaries of what is proper.
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The following week, news arrive that Emer's ship will soon be fully repaired. His attitude after the news seems more distant, and we no longer meet to read, paint, or eat together. I ask the maids who serve him breakfast, and they tell me that he constantly visits the castle garden. — I forgot his fascination with vegetables. I thought he was avoiding me.
— I remember the painting you did that day – he says. He stands up, brushes the dirt off his clothes as he approaches me. – I would like to fulfill your dream of playing chess outdoors.
So we go to the meadow near the forest, next to flowering bushes, and play chess.
— You will soon return home. Doesn't that make you happy?
— It is a joy. You should visit our country someday. You will like the castle – he says, looking at the pieces. – I will invite you to my birthday celebration.
— Bring me some water, please — I say to the maid.
— I must not leave you alone, Your Highness.
— Then you should have known it was hot outside and brought a jug of wine with you. Go get something to drink — When I see that he is far enough away not to hear us, I say – About the invitation, I'm afraid I'd rather stay with my father. Such a long trip could affect his health.
— Of course – he sighs. – I didn't think of that. Forgive me.
— I could go anytime after I'm married, of course – I say. Emer looks me in the eye but says nothing – I understand we have common interests in economics and...
— Are you making me a political proposal?
— Were you thinking of making one?
— I understand that my brother is courting you.
— I rejected him.
— It is not right for me to court you after him.
— You haven't – I say. Emer leans back in his seat. — I mean, you have never courted me with words. From the way you look at me, when you take my hand and when you speak to me, I know you are my suitor. You have shown me that since you first introduced yourself.
— It was never my intention to confuse you.
— Are you saying you're not attracted to me at all?
— No, I'm not saying that.
— Does it really matter what your brother thinks of you if we get married?
— No.
— Then why didn't you ask me? — I ask, aware that any answer could affect me a little.
— I didn't think you were motivated. I thought you only tolerated me because I didn't show you my interest — he says. We remain silent for a moment, and I see the maid approaching in the distance with two other women carrying a vase and a tray with glasses.
When I returned to the castle, I no longer knew how to behave around him. When I first saw him, I did''t think I would want to marry him a few weeks later. The next morning, as a farewell, we hugged and he kissed my hands so that I would not forget his warm lips, something I hoped to feel on mine.
After weeks of begging my father to listen to me, he decided to agree to contact the kings of Rubrum Vallen to begin negotiations, and after six months in which I lost no contact with Emer, it was confirmed: we would be married in three months.