Isabella smiled and nodded approvingly. “Thank you, senhorita, for your devotion to our throne and homeland. I know about the merits of your family and, in particular, your father, the famous hero of Portugal. I once met him at one of the royal balls. He had been invited after his glorious campaigns and victories over the Moors.27
“I must tell you a secret,” she continued. “He won the hearts of many senhoritas at that ball. Unlike other gentlemen, he looked like a real man, an unsurpassed gentleman, and a valiant hero. And he had a dignified attitude toward all the nobles with whom he communicated. It was so long ago, but it was an unforgettable event.”
The duchess finished recalling this moment with a deep sigh. “I am very pleased it’s the daughter of such an extraordinary person as your father who will be within the walls of our palace,” she said.
“Thank you, Your Highness, for the good memories of my father and your trust in me,” Isabel said with a curtsy.
Having completed all her planned audiences by noon, Isabella decided to visit Pedro to share her impressions with him. At the door to her husband’s office, she instructed the guard to notify His Highness of her arrival.
She entered the office, saying, “Dear, if you only saw how charming Isabel Zarco is. I can’t get over it. She inspires with her external beauty, sensitivity, freshness, courtesy, and ability to communicate. She is an angel sent from heaven. I am sure she will not only teach your nephew, Fernando, how to dance skillfully but will turn his head with her charm and attractiveness.
“But I am also concerned,” Isabella continued. “What if the prince becomes overly fond of her? Will there be undesirable consequences? What do you think?”
“I’m now more concerned about my nephew, Afonso,” Pedro answered anxiously, pointing to the parchment lying on the table in front of him. It was tied with a cord trimmed with gold threads.
“What is it?” Isabella asked.
“It’s a message from Castile28 from the former queen, Eleanor of Aragon, to her son, Afonso. We have intercepted several messages like these. She continually tries to turn her sons against me. She has not learned anything from her actions that almost ruined the country.
“Instead of being grateful that I solved all the problems, calmed the public down, achieved peace, organized her departure to Castile, and allowed her to bring up my nephews there, she continues to sow discontent,” he said.