CHAPTER 3

CHAPTER 3

[Prince Felipe]

"Are you really willing to go through with all this madness, Felipe? Will you sacrifice yourself for something that cannot be undone in the future?" Frederick asks, dissatisfied with my choice as he paces furiously back and forth in our father's office.

Even after three days of the heated and almost drastic conversation our family had about the serious misfortune we had to deal with, before the consequences became public and tarnished the king's image, causing chaos in the Kingdom, Frederick still couldn't come to terms with the arrangement in which I was centrally involved and had agreed upon. This arrangement would bring a partial solution to our current problems.

Deep down, I understood his reasons for acting contrary to the decision made. Frederick, as the older brother, genuinely cares about me and my choices. He fears that I may bitterly regret the choice I made, even though I would make it again if necessary.

He's just restless and somewhat worried that things might spiral out of control in the end, and I might end up getting hurt for real, but I don't care. I know he's my brother, we share the same blood flowing within us, but whatever needs to be done will be done, end of story.

"I've already made my decision, Frederick, and there's nothing that will make me go back on it," I say, tapping my fingers on the crystal glass of water in my hands.

"Moreover, you must not forget that Francesca is our sister, and it's our duty to protect her with our lives."

"But, Felipe..." Frederick starts to protest, and I raise my free hand to stop him.

"Francesca may project this image of a mature and unshakeable woman to the outside world, but we both know she's just a sensitive girl who lost her mother figure at a very young age," I say calmly, examining the remaining contents of my glass, giving him the necessary time to absorb my words. Then I look up at him again and continue.

"Our sister wouldn't survive such a scandal, Frederick..."

"Caused by herself, Felipe!" he exclaims, cutting me off.

"And so what, brother? What difference does it make now? Who the blame belongs to or who it doesn't belong to?"

This time, it's me who gets irritated, raising my voice a few notches.

"It doesn't matter if Francesca made a mistake; she's my sister, my family, blood of my blood. I will do everything in my power to protect her from any potential harm that the world or other people might want to cause her."

I assert firmly, pointing my index finger at his chest with a steady gaze.

"I won't hesitate to make any kind of sacrifice if it means sparing her some pain, within my reach, of course."

Frederick purses his lips in disapproval, but he doesn't counter my statement with opposing arguments.

"And know this, brother, I would do the same for you or for our father. You are my family, the most precious thing in my life, and nothing can be more valuable than that."

"Your love and loyalty to this family are admirable qualities and flaws, Felipe," he comments after a few strange seconds of silence and crosses his arms in front of his body in an uncomfortable yet resigned posture, as he had already realized that I had no intention of going back on my decision once I had given my word of honor.

"Thank you for your words, brother," I reply, sipping the last drop from my glass and placing it on our father's extensive mahogany table.

"I hate to disappoint you, but that wasn't a compliment, little brother."

Frederick shakes his head negatively, and we laugh, the heavy atmosphere gradually dissipating and giving way to a more relaxed one.

"I love you, brother. I just worry about your happiness, you know that, don't you?"

"I do, Frederick, and I'm very grateful to have you as my brother in my life. But even so, you won't be able to change my decision with these declarations of brotherly love."

I tease, only to receive a flying book, which whizzes inches from my head as I duck just in time to avoid being hit.

"You scoundrel..." I laugh.

"As I can't change your mind, there's always the easier option of killing you with a non-lethal object..."

Frederick says at the exact moment, after two knocks on the door, a guard opens it and looks from one brother to the other with an alarmed expression after hearing Frederick's sentence.

"He's just joking," I reassure him, and he swallows hard before being granted permission to speak.

"I come to inform Your Highnesses that the guest has just entered the castle and is awaiting permission to be received by you."

"Great," Frederick rolls his eyes sarcastically, but I ignore his act of insolence and turn my attention back to the guard, who awaits an order.

"Inform the king and Princess Francesca of the girl's presence in the castle," I say, rising to my feet. "And escort our guest here. We'll be waiting for her."

"Yes, sir. The king has already been informed and is on his way. Only the princess needs to be notified," he replies and then asks politely, "Anything else?"

"No, that's all. Thank you, Narcise," I thank him politely.

"At your service, Your Highnesses," he bows and leaves as discreetly as he had appeared, closing the door behind him.

"I still don't agree with this madness, but I will abide by and respect your choices, brother," Frederick says when we are alone again, letting out a tired sigh.

"I count on that, brother," I nod, sincerely hoping that he is telling the truth and that we won't create any more unnecessary conflicts.

Enough of more problems at this moment.