“I lied to you that I hadn't written poetry in a long time.”
“Fernando, I should not condemn you for this, but rather I should admire you. After all, you hid it from me because of your modesty. And, Fernando, it seems that this kind of talk on this subject is not good for you. For your health, you must have only positive emotions now. I suggest this trivial misunderstanding be forgotten for the time being.”
“Oh no, Isabel, please. I won’t feel at ease until you forgive me for my cowardice.”
“What does that have to do with cowardice, infante Fernando? And why should I forgive you at all? It seems to me that I don’t understand you.”
“The fact I hid the truth from you was not modesty,” Fernando explained. “I was afraid that once you knew the truth, you would perceive it incorrectly.”
There was silence. Isabel took Fernando's hand in both of hers and said, “So those poems at my door were yours?”
Fernando nodded. “They are mine. And everything written in them is true. I fell in love with you when I saw you on stage, Isabel. It was instantly clear to me that you were my destiny. And my happiness, if you accept my love, or my unhappiness if you reject it. It depends only on you. So tell me, Isabel, what do you want me to be, happy or brokenhearted?”
“Oh, infante Fernando,” Isabel answered excitedly. “I do not know what to say. You are very kind and honest, and I could certainly fall in love with you. But I am afraid to. If I fall in love with you and we are told we cannot marry, I will be heartbroken.
“And between us, there are many barriers, she said. “You are the king’s son, so your fate is not in your hands. I’m sure you know better than I that marriages of princes and infantes are decided at the national level and mostly for political purposes. Love plays a secondary role. I feel we can’t have a future together for that reason.
I’m the daughter of the owner of a small island,” she continued. “And not the whole island, but only a part of it. I am of no value to the country from a political standpoint. Therefore, no one will approve of our union.
“So, infante Fernando, I beg you, try to control your feelings for me. Such love is in vain and will only lead to torment. Please do not torment yourself or me.”
“If I get permission for our union, Isabelle, will you reciprocate my love?” Fernando asked. I will ask Uncle Pedro to grant my request for our union. And if he approves it, we can get engaged at the same time as Afonso and Isabella.”