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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 Castile[28 - The Kingdom of Castile (/k??sti?l/ (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA/English); Spanish (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish_language): Reino de Castilla) was a large and powerful state on the Iberian Peninsula (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iberian_Peninsula) during the Middle Ages (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Middle_Ages). Its name comes from the host of castles (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castle) constructed in the region. It began in the 9th century as the County of Castile (Condado de Castilla), an eastern frontier lordship of the Kingdom of Leоn (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingdom_of_Le%C3%B3n). Throughout this period, the Castilian kings made extensive conquests in southern Iberia at the expense of the Islamic principalities (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Andalus). With their southern acquisitions, the Kingdoms of Castile and of Leоn came to be known collectively as the Crown of Castile (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crown_of_Castile), a term that also came to encompass overseas expansion.] 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.
“She is acting behind my back,” he continued. “She can’t wait until Afonso inherits the throne so she can complete her plans through him. How can I explain to Afonso the dangerous plans of his mother? When I try to discuss it with him, he reacts negatively. I am very afraid that, through Afonso, Eleanor will be able to harm both – our family and the country.”
“I understand, my beloved,” Isabella said sympathetically, “but let me tell you one thing. What a man cannot do, a woman can do. I think I know what we can do to prevent Eleanor from harming us.” Isabella immediately noticed the fear in the duke’s eyes. “Oh, no, dear,” she continued with a grin. “I will not advise you to do what others usually suggest in this situation. I hope you do not think that a person of nobility such as I could even consider assassinating anyone.”
“I would not even dare to think anything like that,” the duke declared in his defense.
“I propose, my dear, that Afonso marry our daughter. Infanta Isabella could be a worthy match for the future king of Portugal. Don’t you agree?”
The duke thought about it for a minute. “That’s quite tempting, my dear, but very risky,” he said. “In my opinion, the prince and infanta are indifferent to each other. This would be very difficult to do.
“I am also worried that by doing that, we can acquire another enemy,” Pedro said. “Afonso, Duke of Braganza,[29 - Don (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dom_(title))Afonso I of Braganza (Aug. 10, 1377 – Dec. 15, 1461) was Braganza’s first duke (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duke_of_Braganza) and the eighth count of Barcelos (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Count_of_Barcelos). He founded the House of Braganza (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/House_of_Braganza), Portugal’s most influential and wealthy dynasty. His descendants became high-ranking nobles, imperial officials, and, finally, kings of Portugal (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kings_of_Portugal) and emperors of Brazil (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emperors_of_Brazil).] is the illegitimate son of my grandfather, King John the Good. His granddaughter is already betrothed to Prince Afonso.
“But the thing that worries me the most,” he continued, “is what happens to our daughter if Eleanor does manage to set her son against his spouse. And no one knows how all this will end.”
He concluded: “We should consider your suggestion carefully and make a final decision as soon as possible. However, we should not rush it. We should look at the situation, consider all the advantages, and decide what tactics and strategies are better, so we are prepared if Eleanor attempts anything.”
He continued, “Your suggestion, my dear, is probably the most logical and the only way to solve both governmental and our family problems.”
“In that case, my dear Pedro,” Isabella said, “let me know what you decide as soon as possible. And don’t worry about the consequences. After all, when a player is shortsighted and mad, he will inevitably lose. Eleanor is such a figure.
“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?”
Afonso picked up one and read it aloud: “Oh, Isabel, you are perfect!”
“Stop making fun of me, Afonso,” Fernando finally said. “I do not hide that she inspires me. That event, the organization of the contest, was to find her. But it’s not just because of her beauty and dancing ability.”
“What else then?” Afonso asked.
“It’s not something I can explain. You must see it,” Fernando said. “I am sure you have never seen such charm and perfection as Isabel possesses. I can see by your mocking smile that you don’t believe me. You will have the chance to see for yourself. I have a dance class today. Come to the dance hall, and you’ll see what I mean.”
“Thank you for the invitation,” Afonso said, “but I have a busy schedule today. I still have three lessons: Cosmography, geography, and Latin.”
Afonso paused for a moment and asked, “What time does your dance lesson end?”
“Shortly before the ringing of the bells for Vespers,” Fernando said.
“Oh, great!” Afonso said as he walked toward the door, “I will try to come toward the end of your classes to see what cannot be described in words.”
Although he was tired after his lessons, Afonso headed to the dance hall as promised. As he approached the door, he heard the sounds of a flute and a harp and felt his fatigue begin to disappear. He carefully opened the door and peered inside to see Fernando and Isabel were the only ones in the hall. The musicians were sitting behind the curtain. Isabel stood with her back to the door so Afonso could not see her face. “Of course, her figure was impeccable,” Afonso admitted, looking at her from head to toe. Isabel motioned toward the curtains, and the music stopped.
Afonso liked the smooth, graceful movement of Isabel’s hand. He opened the door wider and heard her melodious voice; that was all it took to make his fatigue disappear.
“Your Highness,” Isabel turned to Fernando. “The sarabande[30 - The sarabande evolved from a Spanish dance with Arab influences, danced by a lively double line of couples with castanets (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castanets).] is not a street dance. Although it was created for commoners, it was adapted into a court dance. And many elements of the dance have changed.
“For example,” she explained, “instead of lively jumps, you should make a light low jump and, at the same time, watch your hands. Your hands should always move smoothly and resemble the movements of a conductor conducting to the beat of the music. You and your partner must simultaneously start and end the dance, dancing in circles.
“Also,” she continued, “it would help if you did not stay too close to your partner but not too far. There must be a respectful distance between you.
“And when several couples are dancing at the same time, you will also have to ensure you are in line with everyone in your row. Am I making my thoughts clear, Your Highness?”
“I understood everything, senhorita,” Fernando said. “Just call me Fernando in class.”
“All right, Infante Fernando,” Isabel said. “Then, with your permission, we will repeat the beginning of the dance.”
Having returned to their starting positions, Isabel signaled the musicians to start the music again. Now Afonso could see Isabel from all sides. “Her name is not Isabel; her name is ‘Grace,’” Afonso concluded, silently admiring her gracious movements.
Fernando was more than right. Her perfection was indescribable. It must be seen to be understood.
When the dance was over, Isabel said: “I think, infante Fernando, you did much better this time than last time. Next time, we will work on different movements and try to perfect them. You are learning very quickly. If you continue at the same pace, you will become one of the best dancing cavaliers in the kingdom by the time your brother is crowned.
“Let us finish our lesson for today, infante,” Isabel said. “We can meet here tomorrow at the same time.”
As she finished her words, Afonso opened the door wide and went to Isabel and Fernando with a stately gait.
“Am I too late for Fernando to introduce me to the most beautiful dance maestro in our palace?” he asked.
Stepping toward them, he said, “Let me introduce myself. I’m Prince Afonso, Fernando’s older brother.”
Isabel curtseyed and introduced herself.
“Oh! Is your name Isabel?” Afonso asked. “We already have several Isabelles in the palace, the daughter and wife of our uncle, Duke Pedro. May I call you Grace? This name fits perfectly with your personality.”
“Your Highness, I am very flattered, but I like my name,” Isabel said.
“You know, Isabel, I just realized you have the most beautiful name. You don’t look like the average Portuguese senhorita at all. Where are you from?”
“I was born on the Portuguese island of Madeira and live in Funchal, the island’s southern port.”
“Oh, so, on this island, all the senhoritas are as blonde and blue-eyed as you?”
Oh, no, Your Highness! The island is west of Morocco and southwest of Portugal. The island’s main population is dark in complexion. The people have dark hair and dark eyes.
“I look different than the islanders because my ancestors come from Judea,” she continued. “Many tribes of Israel once lived there, and the people had different skin color, eyes, and hair.”
“Oh, yeah. I learned something about ancient Jewish history from my tutors,” Afonso said. “And your family has not lost its lineage?”
“My ancestors were very noble people from the dynasty of the kings of Israel. My recent ancestors are of Marranos origin.
“How interesting!” exclaimed Afonso. Please, tell us more. How did your family come to be on the island?”
“My father discovered it a quarter-century ago and founded settlements there,” Isabel said. “In honor of this and other military deeds, which brought great glory to Portugal, my father was rewarded with the possession of half the archipelago.”
“What other military exploits did your father have, Isabel,” Afonso asked.
“My father began serving as a sailor at a young age, " Isabel explained. “During his service, he showed courage and proved to be a talented strategist. He soon received a high rank and became the commander of the navy. He commanded caravels[31 - A caravel (Portuguese (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portuguese_language): caravela] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA/Portuguese)) is a small, maneuverable sailing ship (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sailing_ship) used in the 15th century by the Portuguese (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingdom_of_Portugal) to explore along the West African coast and into the Atlantic Ocean. The lateen (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lateen) sails gave it speed and the capacity for sailing windward (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windward_and_leeward). Caravels were used by the Portuguese and Castilians (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crown_of_Castile) for oceanic exploration voyages during the 15th and 16th centuries, during the Age of Discovery (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Age_of_Discovery).] and participated in many battles with the Moors, where he constantly won unprecedented victories.
“During the conquest of Ceuta in northern Morocco, he lost his eye. Only after this did he decide to leave the military and become a navigator and explorer. In this venture, he also achieved great success.”
“Your father is a real hero, Isabel,” Afonso said. “I have always dreamed of being a hero like your father and my father, King Edward I.
“When I become king, I will no doubt glorify my name with many heroic deeds and discover many islands and uncharted lands. I will make Portugal the greatest country in the world.
“You will see, Isabel, what our country will be like after a few decades of my reign,” Afonso said. “But, for now, it is enough to dream about the future.”
Afonso changed the subject.
“Let’s talk about you, Isabel. I have heard about your talent for ballroom dancing. Do you mind if I ask Duchess Isabella to include some time in your schedule for additional lessons for your most humble servant?”
“Oh, Your Highness, please don’t call yourself a servant,” Isabel said. “We are YOUR servants. It would be a great honor for me to give a few lessons to our country’s future ruler.”
“Thank you. It was a pleasure meeting you and talking with you, senhorita,” said Afonso with a friendly bow.
It was also a pleasure to meet you, Your Highness,” Isabel curtsied.
“In that case, I will leave you with Fernando. I’m sorry, but I still have much work to do before tonight.”
Isabel curtseyed silently with a welcoming smile as the prince hurried away.
After meeting Isabelle, Afonso was in a good mood for the rest of the day. Later in the evening, he decided to visit his brother.
“Good evening, Fernando,” Afonso said as he entered his brother’s chambers. He noticed from Fernando’s face that he wasn’t happy with his visit.
“Oh, I’m sorry I interrupted you,” Afonso said. He noticed the papers on the table and the quill in Fernando’s hand. “I didn’t realize you were doing your homework so late.”
Afonso came closer to the table, looked at the papers, and exclaimed, “Oh, this again! More poems? Are you so enamored by Isabel that you write poetry at night?
“I can understand you, though,” Afonso continued. A person like you admires beauty and all sorts of art and cannot stay indifferent toward such an attractive and skillful dancer. I admit I was wrong when I doubted her indescribable angelic beauty. You were entirely correct. I even felt a bit inspired talking to her.
“You are not jealous of that, are you?”
“Isabelle is so beautiful that any admirer of beauty would experience what you felt when talking with her,” answered Fernando. “I have nothing to be jealous of, Afonso, because she treats you as respectfully as she treats me.
“I must tell you, though,” he continued, “that Isabel ended up in the palace because of me. It was I who first noticed her on stage. And it was I who told Duchess Isabella who my choice was. Therefore, although you are older than me and will be higher in title when you are king, I have the right of superiority to close relations with Isabel.”
Afonso answered: “No one disputes that, Fernando. I only asked her to teach me a few lessons so I could get to know her. I am not interested in having a relationship with her like what you wrote about in your poetry.”
Afonso noticed the embarrassment on Fernando’s face and said: “I wish you success both in poetry and in love.”
At noon, Duke Pedro went to the royal residence immediately after a meeting on important matters of state, intending to find the duchess in the audience chamber. At the door of the meeting hall, Pedro ran into Afonso. He looked unusually happy and cheerful. Afonso greeted his uncle in a pleasant singsongy voice and respectfully stood aside to let him enter. The duchess was sitting on her throne. Seeing Pedro enter, she stood up and approached him.
“You don’t have any more appointments?” Pedro asked.
“No, dear.”
“Then would you release the servants so you and I can discuss something privately?”
Isabella waved her fan to her ladies-in-waiting, and after bowing, they left.
“My dear, I have good news,” Pedro said. “The council has discussed your proposal for a marriage alliance between Prince Afonso and infanta Isabella. And all members unanimously approved the enterprise. There was one condition, however. They would like the engagement to be announced before the coronation and the wedding to be after the coronation.
“So, my dear, since you want to play Cupid, nothing is preventing you from thinking about ways to make our daughter and our nephew fall in love,” the duke continued, laughing.
“Oh, Pedro, you are so witty,” Isabella answered with a smile. “However, I have some unpleasant news that concerns this conversation. And it could complicate our plans.”
