“And you don’t have to worry about Isabelle either,” the duchess continued. “We will be diligent and attentive. She will always receive timely instructions from us. We won’t lose. Since the coronation of Afonso is very close, we have very little time left.
“We must create the correct atmosphere for Isabella and Afonso,” she continued. “They must fall in love without knowing they received any help. This is what I think will be the hardest thing to accomplish.”
“And you will be playing the part of Cupid, my dear,” the duke said with a laugh.
After his sword fighting lessons, Prince Afonso headed to his brother’s apartments. At the door, he heard his brother’s voice. As he listened, he heard the words: “Senhorita, allow me to introduce myself. I am infante Fernando. Please allow me the honor of inviting you to dance. Thank you.”
“What’s this?” Afonso asked in bewilderment. “Dancing in a bedchamber without music? Weird.”
Afonso knocked on the door and asked, “Fernando, can I come in?”
“Come in, Afonso. The door is not locked.”
Entering the room, Afonso found his brother at the mirror. Fernando was pacing back and forth in his dancing costume and admiring himself.
“What do you think of my new dance costume?” Fernando asked.
“Ah, so you’re rehearsing. I thought you had a young lady in the room with you,” Afonso said. “The costume is very original and suits you very well.
“I came to see if you are well. Usually, you volunteer for additional lessons in wooden sword fighting. Today, you disappeared without waiting for the final battle with me. I looked everywhere, in the hall and the dressing room. But instead of finding you, I found your page collecting your armor that was strewn all over the dressing room.”
“I am sorry I could not tell you I had to try on the dance suit I had just received before class. I was in a hurry,” Fernando said.”
“Oh, you are so excited,” Afonso said. “You are looking forward to meeting your dance teacher. Why does she inspire you so much? Is it her dancing skills or something else?
“Tell me, dear brother,” Afonso continued to tease his brother. “Oh. What do I see on your teenage face? Are you embarrassed? So, she inspired you with her beauty.”
He continued, “What is that paper on the table next to the mirror? Your new poems?”