The Spell

Prologue

Princesses don’t cry…

This was something I heard a lot of when I was growing up.

I recall that as a princess I was very happy beside my father, King Saulo. My father governed the province of an earth far from this one.

In the castle resided my father, my aunt, myself and all the castle guards.

I remember I grew up with the protection of King Saulo as he reigned. I didn’t have a normal life because I was always escorted by several guards and I could never exit the immense gateways of the castle.

It was necessary for my protection.

Like all royal dynasties we had enemies everywhere. The most astonishing thing is that our most immediate threat came from within our palace, people among our royal family.

Chapter 1

Dorotéia

Tomorrow will be a big day! I said as I walked from side to side in my bedroom. The hem of my long, dark dress, embroidered with precious stones flowed gently over the floor. My fire-red hair was adorned with a gold tiara. After all, I was King Saulo’s sister-in-law and I needed to keep myself looking like a lady of the aristocracy.

I wanted to be more than that however. I wished to reign. I wished to govern Saulos’s earth.

I see you are very animated, Madam Dorotéia! Said Escariodez. He was my right arm in the castle. After my husband’s death, Saulo’s brother, Escariodez, became my lover.

Escariodez was a handsome and charming man. Despite the fact that he was blind in one eye he was still an attractive man. He hid his eye with a black patch. But that made him even more attractive and mysterious.

Escariodez the big day will come tomorrow! On my adoring niece Salomé’s birthday!

In this moment, I walked to my bed and sat down on it, felling its softness under me. My heart beamed with enthusiasm as my mind imagined the day I had waited for.

My niece’s birthday.

Tomorrow Salomé will cry bitterly.

Escariodez smiled at my brilliant plot. Only he and I knew about what was set to take place the following day.

***

King Saulo

During this time, I went to the bedroom of my only daughter. In the future, Salomé would be sitting on my throne. She was my heir after all. I had only her, my daughter and my successor.

There was no other heir to govern the Sun Earth over and above me. So that role would be taken by Salomé in the time to come.

Dear, I came here to wish you goodnight! I said and walked toward my daughter’s bed. Salomé was still lying in her bed under her opulent bedspread. Her long red hair was set in a long tress, thrown over one of her shoulders. Her skin was pale and her honey-colored eyes were about to clos with sleep.

Dad, I was hoping for your embrace for the night!

She said to me and opened her arms to get hold of me. I embraced her carefully like the careful father that I was. I kissed her head one or two times.

I would never forget to wish goodnight to you, I smiled over her fire colored hair. You’re my treasure, my dear!

She smiled at ease and embraced me stronger.

No gold in this castle could substitute the immense love I feel for you! You were my best gift from God!

I also love you so much, Dad! Salomé said and smiled up at me again. She looked very happy with my declaration. I reached out and took her chin in my hand. I stared down at her angelic face.

Tomorrow will be a big day! I will introduce you to the nobility. You will be eighteen, after all.

Dad, I am very nervous! Everyone will look at me and everyone will want to talk to me.

My daughter glanced to the sides. I could tell she was anxious. It was as if she was already before all the guests.

Salomé, I smiled at her and released her chin. No one will approach you without my permission.

Chapter 2

Dorotéia

Hours before the Princess’ birthday banquet

There are only a few hours left to make everything work perfectly, my dear, I said as I held Escariodez’s face.

He smiled as he looked at my dress adorned with precious stones. My lipstick was blood-red and on the top of my head was a gigantic tiara with more precious stones.

I was by now, prepared for the big banquet. The same one which would be put on in honor of the eighteen-year old Princess Salomé.

When Salomé has spilled her first tear tonight, her life will change from water to the wine, I affirmed, gazing up to my bedroom ceiling.

The light that shone down from the chandelier hanging from the ceiling lit up my face. I could not contain myself from my loud and noisy laughter. Escariodez began to smile with me as well.

You’re perfect! −My future queen!

I turned and faced him saying, I CAME TO THE WORLD TO GOVERN. I WILL NEVER BE COADJUVANT, MY DEAR!

King Saulo

My dear, let’s go! I said, walking through the gigantic bedroom of my daughter Salomé. In this moment, she was standing before her round mirror. By her side, there were two servants. They were helping her put on her neck a gold collar with the picture of diamond tiara and a sun.

This collar symbolized the position of Princess of the Sun Earth.

Her hair was loose. My daughter was beautiful in her long dress which was navy blue and embroidered with precious stones.

Salomé had a beauty worthy of her reign and her crown.

I…think…I …am …ready… She stuttered, walking on her crystal shoes in my direction. She already looked like the queen of our castle.

Dear, you look so beautiful! I held her chin and held it carefully. I believe the princes that are present at your party will want to fight among themselves in order to get a dance with you.

Salomé interlaced her arm on mine and walked beside me. ,