CHAPTER 5

CHAPTER 5

[Prince Frederick]

I observe the short woman in front of me with narrow, distrustful eyes. All this aura of kindness and altruism smells like deception and cynicism to me, and if there are two things I abhor in this life, it's lying and a lack of character in a person.

Truth, honesty, and transparency are essential virtues that men should cultivate throughout their lives. I hold steadfast to this belief. After all, as the future king of this land, raised from a young age in the political path, I am acutely aware of how a human being can become cruel, ruthless, and reckless just to achieve their goals, whether in the form of wealth, power, or fame.

Even the best people, in moments of weakness, become prone to pettiness and selfishness when presented with an irresistible offer. I have witnessed over the years many men considered loyal and honorable by the majority succumb to greed by betraying someone or breaking pre-established agreements.

Harder and more bitter than sword blows is the betrayal of a close and beloved friend. So, knowing better than anyone from personal experience, I worry about the person chosen to bring the solution to our problems. I don't want any impostor to later betray my family's trust and the security of the Kingdom out of ambition. I have every right to remain suspicious of the intentions of this woman, about whom we know very little.

"It's not something simple or that can be resolved quickly in a single action, Miss Luz. What is being demanded goes far beyond what your instant comprehension can assimilate. However, think carefully before giving your final word in a definitive response. Many things are at stake depending on the outcome of this conversation. My family and the Kingdom are counting on your cooperation to maintain order and avert chaos."

My father says and pauses so that the woman with big green eyes can absorb his words and mentally prepare for what is yet to come.

"I completely understand, Your Majesty. You have my word that I will be completely truthful in my response to you."

"Very well, that's a start. Now, moving on, the delicate matter we need to address is the unfortunate incident that occurred about a few months ago, I believe around two months ago, to be more precise, involving my daughter Francesca."

I close my eyes, feeling my head spin and my dry throat tighten with a suffocating sensation when my father reaches this part of the subject. I don't like to remember, let alone hear the same facts repeated aloud. I feel angry, lost, bewildered... hurt.

Why had she done that? Why had Francesca acted in that way towards herself and our family, without caring about the consequences? Does she no longer love us? Are we not enough for her? These are the questions I ask myself internally.

Now all that remains is to pick up the pieces of our dignity and reap the fruits of her thoughtless mistake...

"Francesca got involved in a terribly scandalous affair, Miss. She was dishonored, and shortly after the incident, she discovered the consequences when she found herself expecting a child, whose father she refuses to reveal."

There, it's done. The truth has been revealed, the cards are on the table.

"Taking the child away was never an option. I refuse to hear such barbarity from anyone," Francesca vehemently protests from the sofa where she is sitting, receiving our furious glares in her direction.

"And no one here has ever suggested such an absurd idea, Francesca. So lower your voice or shut up before I lose my patience with you," our father reprimands her, while Miss Luz watches the scene unfolding with her mouth slightly open and wide-eyed, like a fish out of water.

"Let's get to the point, Father. The woman still doesn't understand the purpose of this conversation and seems about to collapse at any moment. So just say it before she faints from shock before hearing the proposal."

"Frederick!" Felipe scolds, but I don't care.

"Your brother is right, Felipe."

Our father agrees with me for the first time today.

"Miss Luz, it is entirely unfeasible and inconceivable that my daughter Francesca, as a princess and a young unmarried woman, can give birth to a child without a husband and outside the sacred bond of matrimony. The child would be born illegitimate and would be rejected by society as a whole, including among the nobility. Francesca would be shamed and her name and reputation tarnished forever, not to mention losing her position at court. Our family's name would be humiliated, and chaos would ensue in the political arena, as well as with the people, and other kingdoms would seize the opportunity of our vulnerability and disruption to attack us. Everyone would lose if this story is revealed. The secret must be kept for the kingdom's general safety."

"And what can I do in this situation, Your Majesty? Do you want me to secretly deliver the princess's child? Of course, I will! It would be an honor..."

"No, Miss Luz! Your services are indeed very valuable, but what I, as your king, want is more than that."

"And what do you need, sir?"

"You need to marry my second son, Prince Felipe, and assume Francesca's pregnancy as if it were your own. When the child is born within your marriage, it will be yours, and it can be accepted into society without any rejection or prejudice."

When he finishes speaking, a sepulchral silence falls in the room, and all eyes turn attentively to Luz, who seems to be in shock at the proposal she has just heard.

"H-How?" The woman's voice is nothing more than a weakened murmur as she simply gets up, lost in her own thoughts, and walks towards the door.

Where is she going? That's what I wonder, quite concerned.