— I find myself alone and wounded in a place surrounded by enemies. No one will come to help me. It is likely that I will die here — I said between sobs — What did I do to end up like this? How did I get to this point?

Tiredness overcame me. My eyes slowly closed, plunging me into nothingness, into the uncertain edge between life and death.

— Madelyne, wake up!

— Madelyne, wake up!

— Madelyne, wake up! — I heard my sister’s insistent screams, trying to wake me up ten years before that terrible accident happened.

— Today we will meet your future husband, wake up! — She dropped a pillow on me. Furious, I got up immediately.

— Grace, what’s wrong? Let me sleep — I said angrily.

— You should be excited and show more interest — she said, smiling.

— I’m only twelve years old. I’m not getting married yet. I don’t understand why our dad wants me to marry his friend’s son — my discouraged voice was too noticeable. My sister, my faithful confidant, knew the misfortune it caused me when my father told me about the engagement.

— Dad said he was from a good family. I don’t think it’s that bad.

— I don’t know, Grace. I don’t want to get married out of obligation. I would like to experience genuine love, like the ones told in the books we read, to know what destiny is, to know true love.

— What beautiful words you say, Madelyne! — Grace exclaimed with astonishment, while her beautiful green eyes lit up and her pale cheeks blushed.

It didn’t take long for laughter to invade the room we shared, followed by a pillow fight. Knocking on our door told us that it was time to get ready to go to breakfast with our parents.

Once we were gathered at the table, my father asked my mother, — Emma, are the preparations ready for tonight?

— Yes, Viktor. There is only one thing missing: these girls must promise to behave at dinner — the lack of interest in any response from Grace and me invaded the room. — Girls! — my mother shouted, quite excited.

— Okay, Mom, whatever you say — Grace answered nervously.

— I only have one condition — I added.

— Tell it, Madelyne — my father said.

— You will let me study aviation, right? My dream has always been to become a great pilot like you, Dad — I said as a plea. It was one of my most intimate dreams, and for the first time I dared to say it out loud.

My dad’s surprised laughter was too loud. — Of course, my sweetheart — his words made me feel relieved.

— Except women are not allowed — my mother said, trying to dispel my relief.

— Not yet, but I hope they will be in a few years, or I could be the first female pilot.

— As long as everything is within my possibilities, I will always help you, my dear Mad. If it were up to me, you would take me to the moon — my father’s words were always a warm caress to my heart.

The hours passed, flying by until night fell, approaching the time to meet who was supposed to be my future husband. Grace and I were in our room.

— Is what you said to Dad this morning true, Mad?

— Of course, you know I love what Dad does.

— I love it too, especially when it allows us to fly with him… So my dream is to become a famous dressmaker. I will make great designs for royalty, you’ll see.

— Whatever you say, Grace.

— Girls, your guests have arrived. It’s time to go down — Ophelia, our housekeeper, gave us the news through the door.

Going down the stairs, my father was receiving the guests.

— Meet the Windsor-Miller family.

Is he Henry?

To be continued...

This novel is also being published in the spanish language, through this same platform called Entre el Cielo, la Tierra y el Mar, I invite you to help me as a reader in the same way, thank you very much and we will see you in the next episode.

Att. BF Crunch <3