“You are right in your thinking, my little sunshine. I'm very glad you came to that conclusion yourself. But a close-knit family is unbeatable. If everyone in our family, regardless of his or her whims and ego, tries to do his or her best, no evil force can defeat us. That is why our family must take steps to prevent it from happening.”
“What do you suggest, Momma?”
“There is only one way to save us, my child. It depends on one person in our family.”
“Really? Who’s that, Momma?”
“That’s you, my angel!”
“It depends on me? What do you mean, Momma? I can't believe it’s up to me to save our whole family.”
“Hear me out, my dear. The monarchs of various states use a centuries-old, justified method to create and maintain friendly relations between monarchs. Both sides benefit by maintaining trade, economic ties, and political alliances. It is also used for many other benefits. In our case, we can use this method against our present enemy, Eleanor of Aragon. I will tell you in a moment what this method is and how you will play a major part in it.
“First, I want to assure you that you will not be a victim of this political scheme,” Isabella said. “Your father and I are doing this to save our family. But first and foremost, we are doing it for your own sake. We want to see you as every mother and father dreams of seeing their child.”
“So tell me, Momma. What did you come up with?”
“We decided to have you marry Afonso and, after his coronation, become the queen.”
“What? Me? But how is that possible, Momma? We only have the usual family relationship. I don’t have feelings for him, and neither does he for me. Besides, he’s a man of principle. You can't force him to marry me.”
“We don't want to force him to marry you, just as we don't intend to force you to marry him without mutual love.”
“Then I don't understand, Momma. There is no mutual love between us.”
“Oh, my dear, Isabelle. Listen to what I'm about to tell you,” the duchess said. “The feeling of love comes and goes. It is temporary for most people. Only a small number of people claim that love is permanent. I'm not sure that's true, though. At least I haven't met such people yet.”
“How come, Momma? Don't you and my father truly love each other?”
“Your father and I have true love, my angel, but only at the end of life can one come to a definitive conclusion. For some people, love is the fruit of their illusions. For some, love is a real hot flame in the soul that can ignite itself. But it is also possible to ignite it in someone else. Conditions, desire, and time play a big part in this.