It all started about four months ago. Prince André had gone hunting with a group of soldiers. Suddenly, the prince spotted a deer sprinting and hiding behind some bushes. The soldiers were ordered to remain in the positions. It was curiosity that dragged Prince André to go alone in order to capture that deer that looked so fascinating for him. It was like seeing something and loving it so much that he wanted to know more and more about it.
He approached the area where the deer was hiding and as he passed the bushes, he looked stunned and could no longer say anything. His eyes were fixed at what he saw and they almost popped out of his skull.approached
It was noticeable that he’d looked at something that he shouldn’t have looked at. It was a striking beauty that he discovered. Her blonde curls had reached the very bottom of her spine. Perhaps what really fascinated the Prince were her dazzling eyes, they looked like diamonds and not normal human eyes. The prince couldn’t conceal his bewilderment for she was extraordinary. Thus he said straight away with added astonishment “I swear by Venus that I have not seen any beauty till this moment.”
The maid did notice that there was a person looking at her for Prince André’s voice was a bit loud that she actually heard him and hid behind some bushes instantaneously. It seemed as if she was embarrassed that the Prince himself, saw her clothless. However, it was rather enlightening for Prince André to have seen her. Several years have gone and the future king has finally come across his soul mate. Prince André did not know how to get to know her so he sent one of his companions to identify her and know where she comes from. The messenger came back with what ‘Valerina’ had told him. He was told that she comes from Vantaleria, a neighbouring kingdom of Gonzaria. Now the new lover was able to destine his journey to bond his soul with his beloved mermaid.
It didn’t take long till he informed his father of the pleasant news. The King’s joy was perhaps greater than his sons’ for one of the kingdom’s regulations was that the King must be married and cannot rule if he wasn’t. Three weeks and the king, his assistants and the Prince had set off to Vantaleria where Valerina lives. Ironically, the king had told his son that the princess of that kingdom possesses a great amount of beauty and glamour. What he didn’t tell him that her name was Violita and not Valerina. Eventually, this mistake caused a disastrous marriage for Prince André.
“Heavens protect thee. Who is it?” asked the princess who was in a state of shock after seeing someone on her bed coming closer and closer to her.“ Prince André looked into her eyes and smiled at her and said “It is your husband my beloved wife”. At first, Princess Violita didn’t know how to converse with her husband. Yet when he started telling her about his miserable experience with his father, she began speaking freely and smoothly. Their main topic was whether they really did love each other or not. After a few hours, Princess Violita started to explain the set of laws followed in Vantaleria and how they differ to those of Gonzaria. “There are two sets of people in Vantaleria. You’re either high or low, there’s no one in between.” “Follow me dear for you require a lot of advice in order for you to adapt to your new home.” She took him to the balcony. “You see André, all of them are from the lower sect of the society. It is strictly proscribed to touch any of them and whoever does will be punished severely. Do you understand?” she said pointing at the servants who were picking up the remainders of the feast. “What’s the matter? You seem to be not feeling well.” Asked the Princess peculiarly. Her husband looked rather dizzy and his facial expressions suggested that he was feeling distraught about something that Violita did not know. “Nothing. I’m in good health. Carry on what you were saying.”
Prince André had spotted Valerina between the servants that his wife was talking about. What really devastated him was that it was forbidden for him to touch her. Yet again, he could not hide his astonishment. “Who is that?” he asked pointing at his ‘heart bearer’. His wife looked rather agitated “Why do you want to know?” she asked in an inquiring tone. “She seems to be a hard worker. Perhaps you should appoint as your private servant.” He answered trying to show her how good Valerina was. However, Violita glanced at him and grinned saying, “who said she isn’t?” the princess paused for a while and said, “She’s my maid. And she does her job properly.” What Violita said was enough to keep her husband quiet until they reached the princess’s concealed garden that she tremendously adored. It seemed like a different world. There were so many different types of flowers. Each had a specific name. However, Violita loved them equally. Except one tree that that had a special treatment from the Princess. “ I have been taking care of this tree since I was 9 years old. I have dedicated it to the man whom I love. That’s you André” she said, winking at her husband. Prince André didn’t know how to respond for he has never been put in a position where someone whom he is adored by is flattering him.
Two weeks from their marriage and the loving prince turned into a cheating husband. André was meeting Valerina secretly at night. He had passionate conversations with her though she wasn’t keen to carry on with their hidden relationship. What she wanted was to live peacefully without having to live acknowledging the fact that if her relationship with the prince is exposed she will be either executed or banished from Vantaleria.
It has been a year since the marriage of Prince André and princess Violita. The King is suffering severe mental and physical illnesses, which designated his inevitable end. Hundreds of doctors were brought to cure the vulnerable king. However, none were able to do so and the king died leaving behind him a ‘perfect realm’. Except that Gonzaria’s governors did not agree that Prince André should succeed to his father’s crown. Though he was crowned publicly and it was apparent that he had to lead a war against those groups that opposed him. By the time the king had passed away, André’s relationship with Valerina had turned into an immense, fanatical affair. It crossed all the boundaries and perhaps the major sin they committed was to make love which forced Valerina to carry Prince André’s son.
The civil war started and King André must put an end to it. He was only 18 years old though he had both the wisdom and strength he needed to succeed. André left Violita in Vantaleria but took with him some ten thousand soldiers to help him in Gonzaria. Unsurprisingly, the King had won all the battles and had one last but major encounter with the opposition leader, He had to defeat him in order to emerge victorious and prove all his critics wrong.
Valerina did not allow him to go to this battle for she was afraid that if the he died, she would have to endure the pain of bringing up a child with no father. That’s if no one inquired about her and who the child’s father is. King André refused to stay and lead the battle from his tent. He insisted to fight with his soldiers so that people will not say that their king is a coward or is afraid of conflicts. Valerina begged him to stay but there was no use. Knowing that she might lose him, she approached him and hugged him tightly and started crying. The King couldn’t respond in any way but to hug her back and try to calm her down. He also gave her a necklace and made her promise to never let it fall unless her head is separated from her body. However, as they were enjoying perhaps their last minutes with each other, one of the Vantaleria’s greatest generals entered the tent without ask permission. The two lovers were disrupted and the king seemed disturbed and was infuriated. “How dare you enter the King’s lodge without seeking permission?” he asked vigorously. The General looked very afraid “I apologise your majesty for what carry from news might concern you immensely.” He said in a disrupted manner. He then added “Your majesty it’s regarding your wife, Violita. She passed away.” The atmosphere was occupied with silence for about 3 minutes. “May the heavens bless her soul.” Said the newly widowed king.
“Can I ask your majesty a question before I leave?” asked the general whose eyes were fixed at the floor and was too afraid to look into the king’s eyes. “Go ahead” replied the king confidently. General Valdez looked up, “You do acknowledge the fact that she’s from the low people. And that it’s forbidden to touch her and her family. Don’t you your majesty?” he asked pointing at Valerina who suddenly started shivering. King André smiled and said, “of course I do. I’m a King remember and you cant prosecute the King can you? I suppose we should punish her. What do you say?” “Wise thinking your majesty. I was just about to suggest that.” Said General Valdez.
Polishing his shiny sword, King André had forced his ‘heart bearer’ to place her head on a rock so that it will ease and smoothen the process of chopping it. As he lifted his hand and was about to finish her off, the king turned and struck his rapier through Valdez’s gullet. It didn’t take more than a few seconds for Valerina to stand up again and embrace her king, saviour and lover who in his turn squeezed her between his arms.
Suddenly, an enemy struck from behind bonding both their bodies together. The necklace had fallen off ending one of the most heart-capturing love stories in history.