1. The gift

The wind blew strongly against the beautiful face of the young woman riding through the open field, which belonged to her parents. If her parents saw her wearing the dress they had given her in the morning, she would be in great trouble, as she shouldn't be wearing it yet, but temptation got the best of her, and she wanted to look beautiful in that moment. Selene spurred her horse and rode across the terrain until she reached one of the rocky areas she visited every week. Every time he came to see her.

"Henry?!" she half-shouted, half-asked, anxiously searching for the man.

Selene got off her horse and walked until she reached the shade of a leafy tree, where she tied her mount to one of the branches and sat on a round rock, making sure not to ruin her dress.

"Henry!" she called again after a few minutes without receiving any response from the man.

Selene sighed and waited a few more minutes, growing more impatient and worried at the same time.

"Henry!" she shouted insistently. It was very strange that he wasn't there, and not seeing him was hurting her heart.

"Stop yelling, you're a lady and ladies don't yell," scolded the man, as he hopped from rock to rock until he stood beside her, but without showing his face.

"You're late," Selene reproached him. "You know our time is limited, and waiting a week is not pleasant."

"I'm sorry," the man whispered, still not showing his face.

"Why won't you look at me?" Selene asked, placing her hand on Henry's shoulder.

"You shouldn't touch me, it's not proper for a lady," the boy pointed out, embarrassed.

Selene blushed and quickly withdrew her hand. She couldn't let herself be carried away by impulse because he was right, it wasn't ladylike to touch any man who wasn't her husband.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable," she apologized promptly.

Henry let out a soft, melodic laugh.

"I have no problem with you touching me, but it's you who doesn't want me to talk to your parents and let them know about our feelings," he said.

Selene bit her lip.

"It's not that easy, Henry. My father has always protected me and doesn't let me have any contact with other boys," she said.

"I know, and I don't blame him. I would also like to lock you in a tower and prevent anyone from seeing you and falling in love with you," he said.

Selene smiled and took a step forward to see his face. The young woman held her breath when she noticed the bruise on his right cheekbone.

"What happened to you?" Selene asked with a furrowed brow.

"It was an accident," he replied with a smile that didn't reach his eyes. Selene could see that there was something more behind those three words.

"You're lying to me, Henry, please tell me, what happened to you?" Selene insisted, caressing his injured cheek.

"Selene…" Henry hesitated.

"It was your cousin, wasn't it?"

Henry sighed.

"He and I always have disagreements," he said, trying to avoid the topic, although there was always some comment to be made about it.

"That doesn't give him any right to hit you!" she exclaimed. "Who does he think he is?" she asked angrily.

Henry smiled and chuckled inwardly, but said nothing.

"Let's leave my cousin aside, I already have enough to deal with having to tolerate his presence at home all day, so today I want us to talk only about you."

Selene blushed, it was inevitable, because Henry managed to make her feel things she couldn't explain.

"My parents have been preparing a surprise for my birthday, they're taking me out tonight," she said.

Henry dared to hold Selene's hands in his, causing the young woman to blush to the point of feeling her cheeks burning.

"You're touching me," she said embarrassed.

Henry nodded and liked the reaction she was having, especially because she didn't pull away from him.

Now, I would like to do it in every possible way, but I am a gentleman and you a good and honorable lady, Selene. Still, I cannot help but feel the desire to have you and live with you all the adventures of marriage," he expressed.

"Henry…" Selene whispered in a low tone, holding her breath as the man approached her and caressed her face.

"You are so beautiful, Selene, the most beautiful and exceptional woman I have had the pleasure of knowing. You bring me so much happiness, but also fear," he said.

"Fear?" she asked perplexed, as that word did not fit within the feelings she had for him.

"I fear that your parents will not accept a man without family or name as your husband. I am afraid they will want to tear you from my arms and give you away to another man," he expressed with teary eyes.

"That will not happen, Henry. I will tell my parents that we have known each other for a long time, that we are eager to start a family soon and…"

Henry placed his finger on Selene's lips and silenced her.

"I do not want to think about tomorrow, Selene, much less if I have to think about leaving you," he whispered, getting closer to the young and virginal lips of the lady.

Selene felt Henry's warm breath caress her already warm and red cheek. She closed her eyes and waited for the man's next move, while feeling her heart beat wildly and swearing that he would be able to hear it.

Henry traced Selene's lips with the tips of his fingers, unhurriedly and calmly, gradually getting closer to the young lady's face until he placed his lips on hers. It was a simple touch of lips, but it made Selene tremble from head to toe. When Henry pulled away, her heart beat strongly against her chest, threatening to break her flesh and leave her chest.

"Henry…"

"I love you," he confessed.

Selene opened her eyes and covered her mouth with her hands.

"I know I shouldn't speak to you in this way, Selene."

She shook her head, placed her hand on her chest, and took off the brooch attached to her chest.

"Take it," she pleaded.

"Selene…"

"There are only two of these and they both belong to me, I am free to give them to whoever I want," he said.

Henry reached out his hand and Selene placed the brooch on his palm. It was a water drop brooch, rare in the kingdom, making them something very special. The design of the brooch in his hand was unique, with precious stones like zircon, rubies, small black diamonds, and emeralds that made the brooch a beauty, especially the tear-shaped stone from which it derived its name.

"I can't accept it, Selene, this is worth a fortune."

"Please, accept it, it's the only thing I can give you today," she insisted.

Henry tried to refute, but he didn't say anything, as a shout was heard.

"Miss Selene! Miss Selene!" the shouts became more and more insistent, so Selene hurried to run to her horse.

"I'll see you later," she whispered to avoid being heard by her father's people.

Meanwhile, Selene stormed into her house.

"Did you send for me?" Selene asked, standing in front of her father.

"I wonder, what keeps you away from home on weekends?" her father questioned, inviting her to sit beside him.

"I just go for a walk, father, don't think things that aren't true," she calmly pronounced, a calm she didn't feel.

"I'm not thinking anything, my daughter, I trust you and your prudence," Robert Russell clarified, almost with tenderness, but those who knew him knew that his tone carried an implicit warning.

"Don't keep the girl any longer, dear, we still have a trip to take," the mother pointed out as she entered the small room where her husband and daughter were gathered.

Selene swallowed hard as she saw her mother stop and look at her with a furrowed brow, scrutinizing the dress she was wearing.

"Since what time did you put on the dress?" she asked, too serious for the young girl's liking. "I warned you not to get it dirty and that it was meant to be worn for the outing we are going on."

"I took care of it…" she replied nervously and hurriedly got up to check that the dress had indeed not been damaged.

"Where is your brooch?!" she exclaimed, scandalized at not seeing the water droplet on her daughter's chest.

Selene changed color and brought her hand to her chest, not knowing what to say.

"Selene…" she called expectantly.

"In my room," she responded hesitantly and fearfully.

"Go get it and hurry up, we can't be late," she said rudely.

Selene didn't wait for her mother to tell her twice, she took her dress in her fingers, lifted it up, and ran to her room to get the second brooch, not knowing the true meaning of that beautiful and unique jewel.

An hour later, the carriage pulled by four white horses parked in front of the impressive palace of Astor.

"We have arrived, Mr. Russell," announced the carriage driver, opening the carriage door.

Robert was the first to step out of the carriage, followed by Clarice, and Selene was the last. The young girl was stunned by the imposing palace; she knew that only privileged people had the right to enter the place. What were they doing there?

"Father?" she asked bewildered.

"Don't ask, Selene, and please, behave according to the education we have insisted on teaching you," Robert warned.

Selene nodded and slightly bowed her head in a sign of obedience, not wanting to embarrass her parents in front of the people who were present.

The Russell family walked through the main entrance, being treated with reverence as a sign of respect, something that surprised Selene. Nevertheless, she remained quiet and didn't ask anything.

The palace was full of elegant people, and it was no wonder as it was the residence of the royal family, people whom everyone knew, but only the most privileged could see directly and, especially, attend an event together with them.

They were made to walk on a flawless red carpet, and Selene had to control her breathing as well as the warmth in her cheeks, as she was not accustomed to everyone's gaze upon her."

She was so focused on not fainting or losing her balance due to anxiety that she almost crashed into her parents, who had stopped. She lifted her face and her heart stopped when she saw Henry next to the royal throne. Surprise and confusion briefly crossed the faces of the young ones, but Henry's expression quickly returned to serenity.

"Your Majesties," Selene's parents greeted in unison, bowing, and she followed a second later, from where she couldn't be seen by the man who had captured her parents' attention.

"Baron Russell… Mrs. Russell," a mature female voice greeted them. "Welcome to Astor Castle. Allow me to introduce you to my son, King Frederick of Astor," the woman said firmly, but Selene still couldn't see anyone else except Henry.

"Your Majesty, it is a pleasure to finally meet you, especially on your birthday," Selene's father flattered. "We hope that the gift we have brought for you will please you."

"Selene, dear…" her mother called and stepped aside. "Please come."

Selene walked nervously, unable to understand anything. It was her birthday, but they had ended up in the royal palace, where someone else was also celebrating their birthday.

In front of them stood a man, the same age as Henry, but with a serious and calculating gaze, as well as the unmistakable crown adorning his head. Selene swallowed and lowered her head.

"This is Selene Russell, our daughter, your future wife and queen of Astor," her father announced.