Chapter Text
“I can’t believe I’m doing this,” Bruno whispered as he looked himself over in the mirror. His attendants, who’d helped dress and adorn him, had just left, leaving him a few moments to reflect on his current situation. Nervously, he adjusted his straps, buttons and cravat, tugging at the purple waistcoat. He needed to be perfectly presentable before facing her majesty, the Queen. Who also happened to be his mother.
It had been well over ten years since he’d been to Europe. His visions of the future didn’t always go over well with the people, putting his mother’s position at stake. He knew that was the real reason she gave him the Valle de Encanto, so that he’d be forced to travel far away from his homeland and reputation.
He didn’t want to go, but now he didn’t want to return. If not for his latest vision, he wouldn’t have bothered traveling for weeks on end to get here.
"The royal wedding was canceled? Are you sure?”
It seems the attendants hadn’t entirely left. The whispers came from just outside his door, and although he could have shooed them away his curiosity got the best of him. Moving closer to the door, he cocked his ear and listened. There were advantages to be gained by eavesdropping on servant gossip.
“It’s not canceled, it was just contested. It seems Prince Bruno came all the way from the Americas to ask for the hand of the young princess, Mirabel, in marriage.”
“Really? Why would he do that?”
“His gift is prophecy, remember? I heard he had a vision about it. He saw himself marrying the princess.”
“Wow, King Richard must be furious.”
“That’s what this next hearing is about. I think the King of Dunak plans on challenging the prince to a duel.”
Bruno gulped nervously. He wouldn’t stand a chance in a duel with the King of Dunak. Bruno was a small man, short, thin, and well beyond his prime. The King of Dunak was younger and massive in size.
“Oh that’s so barbaric, the Queen’s Court would never allow it.”
Bruno let out a breath he didn’t know he was holding, clutching his chest in relief.
“Maybe he’ll challenge the legitimacy of it. Prince Bruno is her uncle, afterall. Strange for an uncle to court his own niece.”
“Oh, that doesn’t mean anything to royals. Marrying close family is only taboo if you’re a peasant like us.” The voice spoke sarcastically.
They were right, the King wouldn’t challenge the marriage based on their familial relationship. Among royalty there were advantages to, "keeping it in the family," but it was still seen as an unpleasant necessity. Even in the best of circumstances.
“Ladies!” A new, deeper voice, the chamberlain he assumed, interrupted. “If your duties to the Prince are complete, you can leave. Now.”
He heard their feet shuffle away as the door to his bedchamber opened. The well-dressed chamberlain picked up a green coat from the nearby stand and helped Bruno put it on.
“Your Highness,” the chamberlain finished assisting and bowed. “The Queen’s Court is ready for you.”
There was shouting echoing down the halls from the courtroom as Bruno made his way there. King Richard, no doubt, and he sounded very angry. Bruno’s heart was already pounding in his chest and he had to wipe his brow with a kerchief he had in his pocket. Pulling salt out of another pocket, he threw it over his shoulder to help ease his fear.
“This will be fine,” he whispered to himself. “You’ll be fine. You’re doing this for her. Think only of her.”
He took another deep breath and knocked lightly on the wooden door frame for luck before nodding to the doorman. As the heavy, ornate, double-doors opened, the shouting inside stopped and the crowd in attendance looked in his direction.
"Your Majesty,” the doorman bowed to the queen as he extended a hand to acknowledge Bruno. “May I present his Royal Highness, Prince Bruno Madrigal, Duke of Valle del Encanto!"
Standing up straight and putting on an air of fake confidence, he strolled into the royal hall. The King of Dunak stood in the center, dressed in the furs and styles of the eastern kingdoms. Bruno’s mother, Queen Alma, stood before her elaborate throne, his triplet sisters seated on either side. All three women were adorned in extravagant gowns and the finest jewels.
On either side of him, seated behind raised pews, were a variety of nobles, priests, and judges from across the country and beyond. This was the Queen’s Court, which would ultimately decide the fate of his young niece. Whom, Bruno noted, was not present.
He stopped before the queen, standing next to King Richard, before bending down on one knee and lowering his head.
"Your Majesty, I've come to make my case for the hand of your granddaughter, the Princess Mirabel."
He heard a scoffing laugh next to him.
"You jest," Richard chuckled. "This is my competition?"
"Hold your tongue," Queen Alma's voice boomed. "This is my son.”
Richard turned to the queen and quickly bowed at the waist. “Forgive me, Your Majesty.” He snickered. “But I fear my innate stature makes it impossible to not look down on him.”
This reaction was expected and Bruno resisted the urge to roll his eyes. His mother’s eye twitched with anger, but she did not respond.
Bruno stood as the queen turned her attention back to the court.
“All participants are here. We can officially begin. Bruno, you may step back for now. King Richard the Third of Dunak, since you’ve already made your presence known, you can start.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty,” Richard stood up straight as he turned back to the assembly in the room. “As I was saying to the court, I have a great deal to offer the fair Princess Mirabel. My kingdom is among the most powerful in all of Europe, and I propose making her my queen. She will have the finest clothes, jewelry, and our chefs, tailors, and beauticians are second to none.
“As for me, at thirty-five I am still young, compared to this man,” he waved his hand weakly at Bruno. “I’m also perfectly healthy and virile, as proven by my many, beautiful daughters. But my kingdom will only accept a male heir, so the princess will have the honor of being mother to the future king of Dunak. This union will be of great benefit to both of our kingdoms”
He bowed at the waist to the queen, signaling he was done, and she nodded her acknowledgment.
“We will open up this court to questions for His Majesty.”
Several court members raised their hands to ask him details about his kingdom’s wealth and future. Marrying the princess was more of a political and monetary transaction than a romantic one, so what the Kingdom of Dunak had to offer the entire country was very important to the court.
Not that Bruno’s bid had anything to do with romance, either. He loved his niece the way any uncle should, but he hadn’t seen her in ten years. Still, his reasons were far more benevolent than fiscal.
The only one with a question of a different sort was Julieta, Bruno’s eldest sister and heir to the throne.
“King Richard, I wanted to start by giving my condolences on the death of your late wife, Queen Katalin. I knew her, and I mourn her loss.”
The King noticeably stiffened, but still nodded and smiled politely. “Thank you, Your Highness.”
“Please refresh my memory,” Julieta’s voice was cold and calculating. “How did she die? I’ve heard only rumors and wanted to know the truth from one who was there.”
His smile dropped instantly and he scowled at her. “Forgive me, Your Highness, but that is a painful memory and I do not wish to discuss it.”
“With all due respect, Your Majesty,” Julieta stepped forward, putting herself side by side with the queen. “Princess Mirabel is fourth in line to the throne and very precious to us. If you wish to marry her, it is relevant to know what has become of your previous wives.”
King Richard took a deep breath, and put on a fake smile. “My previous wives were both caught in acts of infidelity. Their deaths were tragic but necessary.”
“You had them executed,” Julieta glared down at him. “Both of them. Eszter and Katalin. Is my daughter destined to share the same fate?”
“If she remains faithful to me, I assure you she will not.”
Julieta wanted to say more, but, appropriately, she bit her tongue. According to her, no one believed for a moment that his wives were ever unfaithful. It was hard to say why he chose to kill them, but it was presumed that he simply grew tired of them. To make such an accusation in open court, however, would be a grievous insult.
“Does anyone else have questions?” The queen asked after there was a minute with no new raised hands. “Thank you, King Richard the Third of Dunak. We will now bring our attention to the newest suitor. Prince Bruno, Duke of Valle del Encanto and ninth in line to the throne, you may speak.”
Bruno nodded, stepping forward as Richard stepped back.
“Thank you, Your Majesty.” His mouth was dry as a desert but he had to go on. Julieta had rehearsed this with him many times. He knew what to say, it was only a matter of saying it.
"Esteemed court, I, too, have much to offer the princess and our nation. The Madrigal's wealth has grown significantly since we acquired land in the New World. Our exports of coffee and gold have made our family, and by extension our nation, very wealthy.
"Keeping it is a challenge, however. Distance makes it hard to garner support from Europe when I need it, and currently–," he paused to lick his lips and swallow. "I have no heirs, male nor female, to secure our holdings should I pass. Lords and kings in the surrounding areas continually threaten to take what is ours. Even hands offered to me in marriage were found to be part of a power grab.
"If I am allowed to marry Princess Mirabel, our land in the Americas will be secure. Both of us are Madrigals, so there is no risk of outsiders challenging our ownership. Our–" he paused again, taking a quick breath to calm himself, but his voice still cracked with the next sentence. "Our heirs will help to secure our wealth and our future.
"As for the princess," he turned his attention to his mother and sisters. This part went off Julieta’s script, as he had things he wanted to say for himself. "I can offer the same as King Richard. But, in addition, the Valle del Encanto is some of the most beautiful land she will ever see in the world. There is no winter there, only sunshine and rain. A unique river passes through bearing all the colors of the rainbow. She'll see flora and fauna like no other, including a wide variety of butterflies, her favorite. And I will dedicate my life to making her happy under my care."
Bruno bowed and the questions followed. There were a lot of questions about the economic side of his stewardship; the amount of coffee and gold he traded. How much wealth it brought in. The attempts he knew of to take their assets. The marriage proposals he rejected and why.
"Your age concerns me, Your Highness," asked an elderly noblewoman Bruno didn’t recognize. “You speak of heirs, but you are, if I recall, over half a century old.”
“Yes, that is correct.” Bruno shuffled his feet. This is where the questions were going to get very uncomfortable.
“You have been married before and you still lack an heir. Why is that?” She kept a neutral tone, but he may as well have grabbed hold of Bruno’s heart and squeezed.
“The late Duchess Eugenie died before she could provide us with an heir.” He did his best to keep his voice monotone, but there was a clear strain as he spoke.
“You were married to Duchess Eugenie for, what, ten years before her death? That’s more than enough time to produce a child, but we never heard word of a pregnancy in all that time.”
“Yes,” Bruno responded, pursing his lips. “We believe her illness made her infertile.”
“Did it?” the lady questioned. “She died of syphilis. Strange that she contracted the disease and you did not.”
“I guess I got lucky,” Bruno tried his best to keep eye contact with her, but it was rough.
“She spoke of you before her death, Prince Bruno. She claimed you never took her to your bed. She claimed you were impo–”
“Lady Grace,” Queen Alma interrupted harshly. “I will not have you making baseless accusations against my son in my court.”
The woman bowed slightly. “I apologize and withdraw my last statement.”
He appreciated his mother stepping in, but he also knew the damage was done. The court would remember this.
It would be awhile before a decision was reached, so Bruno had some free time. He made it through the hardest part of court without completely humiliating himself, so that was a plus. Courtroom speeches were not new to him, but they never got easier and it was always a relief once it was over.
The stress and pressure of what he was doing weighed heavy on his mind, though, so he needed a reminder of why he was doing this.
This time it was flute music that drifted down the hall as he headed to his destination. It sounded amateurish, but not unpleasant, and it was a familiar tune. He even caught himself whistling it as he approached the west wing’s sitting room.
Princess Mirabel was struggling with the instrument she was playing, he could tell. She gripped the flute tight, and her face was red, tight, and straining, but she still managed to make something akin to music.
“Stop, stop,” the instructor ordered, and Mirabel was more than happy to oblige, letting the flute drop to her lap unceremoniously. “Your breathing technique is awful, Your Highness. You must breathe from your core, and try not to make it look so laborious. Let’s try a–”
He must have made a noise as they both suddenly turned to look at him.
“Prince Bruno. You shouldn’t be here. These are Princess Mirabel’s private lessons.”
“Begging your Pardon, Senora,” he bowed slightly. “I simply wished to socialize with my favorite sobrina.”
“Your Highness,” the teacher was noticeably exasperated. “These lessons are important. They’ve been specifically ordered by the queen to–”
“To impress King Richard,” Mirabel interrupted. “Who I won’t be marrying anyway, so it’s a waste of time.”
The teacher glared at Mirabel, “We do not yet know the outcome of the court proceedings, Your Highness, and until we do–”
“I haven’t seen my tío since I was a child,” Mirabel interrupted. “So I’d like to spend time with him. Now shoo!” She waved her hand dismissively, much to the annoyance of her mentor.
“Fine, I’ll see myself out.” She grabbed the flute and its case rather aggressively before leaving the room.
He waited until the instructor left before turning his attention back to Mirabel. She was dressed in a turquoise blue gown, with colorful lace around the bodice and hems. Ever the seamstress, there was also a variety of embroidered shapes around the dress, mostly butterflies but he saw flowers and animals, too. Her dark brown hair was in ringlets, making her look even younger than her sixteen years. She was sitting up straight and proper with her hands in her lap.
“You may sit,” she said politely as she waved her hand at a nearby lounge chair. “How was the court, Tío Bruno?
“As well as to be expected,” Bruno entered and sat in the chair she offered. "I wish I could say I'd swayed the court, but I'm not so sure."
Mirabel stood up straight and smiled, “I’m confident you’ll win, tío. As a princess I will, of course, do my due diligence and marry whomever the court deems fit. But, based on what I’ve heard, you are a far better prospect than the King of Dunak.”
Bruno raised an eyebrow at that. He did not have a good reputation, and he found it hard to believe Mirabel hadn’t heard the nasty, and mostly untrue, stories people said about him.
“Mother is the only one I know who actually spoke well of you,” she continued, sensing his confusion. “At first I wasn’t sure who was telling the truth, but when word came that you would be here to attend my wedding, everyone started speaking of you the way my mother always did. Even Tía Pepa supported you over King Richard, and she and her family told me the worst stories about you.”
He chuckled, “Yeah, that sounds like Pepa,” he chuckled. “What about you? What do you remember about me?”
Mirabel frowned. “You left ten years ago, tío. I was only five. I’m sorry, but I don’t remember you at all.”
He nodded, understanding, “I remember you. The little Mirabel I remember was kind, gentle, and empathic. And you weren’t afraid of me the way most kids were. That’s why I was especially fond of you.”
She blushed, putting a hand to her mouth politely. “That’s very kind of you to say, tío.”
Something about her behavior seemed off. The little girl he remembered was nothing like the young lady sitting before him. In addition to everything he had already said, Mirabel was also wild, energetic, and was not afraid to speak her mind. She was an optimistic free-spirit, courageous, and tenacious. She hated the royal lessons and was very, very vocal about it.
Of course, she had been raised her entire life to be a proper princess, and such behaviors were not becoming of royalty. Still, he had a hunch–
Bruno grinned, leaning back in his chair and draping one leg over the armrest in a most ungentlemanly posture.
“Mirabel, you don’t have to be formal with me,” to emphasize his point, he draped an arm behind his head, swinging his foot back and forth to an inaudible beat. “I don’t know about you but I’ve had enough formalities for the day. How about we relax a little.”
She looked at his pose with apprehension before raising her eyebrows at him. “Are you sure?”
“Yes,” he grinned. “I’m very sure. At ease, Your Highness.”
Mirabel instantly slumped in her chair in a very un-lady-like fashion and let out a groan, “Oh thank God. I’ve had enough of it too, to be honest. I swear all these stupid flute lessons are going to suffocate me one day.”
“You never did strike me as a flute player.”
“I’m not,” she bellowed, sitting up just enough to not slide out of her chair. “I actually hate it. I would much rather play something else.”
“Oh?” he smiled. “Like what?”
She bit her lip and played with one of the laces on her gown. “Promise you won’t tell anyone?”
Before he could answer she leaped from her seat and ran over to a cabinet in the corner. Bending over in a very suggestive manner that made Bruno blush, she opened the doors and pulled out–
“An accordion?” He sat up again, still relaxed but more attentive.
“Yep!” He heard the vibrating, harmonica hum of the instrument before she revealed it. Pulling the strap over her head and shoulder, she turned to present it to her uncle. “It was a gift from the German Royal Family. Abuela hates it, but the princess helped me sneak it home.”
The keyboard ends were light green, while the center bellows were pale pink. She took a few minutes to tune it before she began playing. The same musical number she had been playing on the flute earlier, but this time the tune was upbeat and flawless.
He clapped his hands to the beat as she began dancing around the room, playing her instrument, a look of pure joy on her face. At one point she looked his way, craning her neck to encourage him to join her. And he did, standing up and dancing around the room, clapping to the beat while she played.
When the song ended, Bruno applauded her enthusiastically and she curtsied.
“Thank you, thank you,” she laughed. “I’m here any day I can get away with playing this ‘uncouth’ instrument.”
“You’re very good,” he said, breathing just a little harder as he sat down with an irreverent plop. “Where did you learn to play?”
“Self-taught.” She removed the instrument from her head and shoulder before carefully putting it back in its hiding spot. “I’m not supposed to be playing it. Abuela doesn’t think it’s suitable for a princess.”
“That sounds like her,” Bruno leaned back in his chair. “I bet you’d love it at Valle de Encanto. The natives cherish all music. I bet they’d appreciate your accordion.”
“Way more than King Dick and his dickish minions,” Mirabel laughed as she sat down again. “Seriously, I hate the guy. The thought of marrying him freaks me out.” She shivered, but then sat up straight and gave him a confident smile. “Let me tell you, I was so glad to hear you had a vision saying I’d be marrying you instead.”
Bruno winced, “That’s not actually what I saw. My vision only showed me attending your wedding. Marrying you was entirely your mother’s idea. I like to think my vision sent me here for that reason, to marry you, but I can’t be sure my bid was successful.”
Mirabel’s face fell with worry, “What do you mean? You took my mom’s suggestions, right? About me providing you with an heir to secure the Valle de Encanto?”
“Every suggestion,” he nodded. “But the court asked questions, including ones about Eugenie, which puts some doubt on our victory.”
“Duchess Eugenie?” Mirabel was taken aback. “Your dead wife? What does she have to do with an–” she stopped for a minute, then it hit her and she let out a groan of frustration. “Oh, of course. You never consummated your marriage, did you?”
“What?” he laughed nervously, blushing red. “Who told you that?”
“Is it true?” Mirabel leaned forward in her seat. “I’m a virgin, but I’m only sixteen so it’s to be expected of me. Seems weird for a man of your age to be one.”
“That’s–” Bruno cleared his throat, his face flushed. “Well, you see, um, it was–Eugenie and I–we were not a good match. We hated each other from the start. We were bound by matrimony, though, so we simply agreed to go our own ways.”
Mirabel’s eyes twinkled, “So she had an affair and caught The Great Pox while you remained a virgin!”
Bruno glared, “I never said I was a virgin.”
“You’d have to be,” she crossed her arms stubbornly. “You never remarried after Eugenie died. Why haven’t you taken another wife, tío?”
“I wasn’t asked?” He hoped Mirabel would accept that answer, even if it wasn’t true. She didn’t, based on the glower she gave him. Taking a deep breath and thinking for a moment, he decided he may as well tell her the truth. “Well, since you revealed your secret to me, I suppose I can reveal mine.” He looked towards the entryway quickly before turning back to Mirabel and whispering. “Let’s just say Eugenie wasn’t the only one who had side partners.”
Mirabel put her hand to her mouth and giggled. “Oh, scandalous!”
“It’s more than scandalous,” he glanced at the entryway again. “Promise you will keep my secret, Mirabel. Swear to it!”
She nodded, making the sign of the cross on her chest.
“Her name was Melinda. She was our nanny’s daughter, so my sister’s and I played with her as children. I’d always been really fond of her. We started our affair shortly after I married, when she noticed that I wasn’t happy. Eugenie didn’t care, of course, she had affairs of her own, but,” A sadness passed over his eyes. “Unfortunately, Melinda passed away years ago. And I suppose I’ve just never found another woman I could love the way I loved her.”
“That’s so sad and romantic.” Mirabel clasped her hands in front of her chest, her eyes practically sparkling. “I’ve always dreamed of falling in love. Like, really falling in love, you know, the way they do in storybooks. I wouldn’t care if they were a noble or a peasant, I just want it to be my choice, not someone else's!” She frowned, her hands falling to her lap. “But a princess doesn’t get to choose. I don’t even get to be in the courtroom while they decide who I marry. I just have to accept whatever they decide.”
“I’m sorry, sobrina,” he reached out his hand, and she took it, giving it an affectionate squeeze. “I’m not a fan of all this political, pompous nonsense either.” He grinned slyly. “That’s why I agreed to go to the New World? It was as far from here as I could possibly get.”
She grinned. “Now I’m really hoping you won, tío. Going to the New World sounds like a dream.”
He chuckled, "It's not as luxurious as this castle. You would be required to give up a few comforts, but I think it's worth it."
There was a knock on the door, and they both turned in time to see a servant peek in, bowing to them both.
“Your Highness,” he was addressing Bruno specifically. “They have reached a decision.”
Everyone was already there, save for King Richard, when Bruno arrived. Waiting for his rival gave him time to look around at the faces of the court, and perhaps discern some clue to the verdict. Most were neutral faced and talking amongst each other. The only clue he had was the faces of his family, and it did not look good. His mother was stoic faced. His sister, Pepa was standing beside Julieta’s chair, consoling their sister, but the dark, gray cloud over her head spoke volumes..
Julieta looked as if she’d seen a ghost. Her face was pale and her eyes were wide and unfocused. It was the look of a mother who knew her daughter was in danger and there was nothing she could do to stop it. It told Bruno all he needed to know about what took place here.
“I’m so sorry, Hermana,” he whispered. ‘I tried, I really tried. If only I could do more.’
“Your Majesty!” The doorman proclaimed. “May I present His Majesty, King Richard the Third of Dunak.” The chamber doors opened and King Richard entered with his usual flourish.
“Excellent, we’re all here,” Queen Alma stood from her chair as the King took his place next to Bruno on the court floor. “Your Honor, are we prepared to announce our decision?”
The Supreme Judge stood and responded, “Yes, Your Majesty.” He turned to the floor to address the suitors. “King Richard the Third of Dunak and Prince Bruno of Valle del Encanto. This court has finished deliberating and have decided, with a vote of twelve to nine, which of you is most worthy of the hand of Princess Mirabel.”
Bruno’s eyes went to Julieta and he caught her staring at him. Her eyes were pleading and she mouthed, “I’m sorry,” to him.
“We’ve decided that Prince Bruno shall take Princess Mirabel as his wife.”
It was not the verdict he was expecting, and he looked at the Supreme Judge in shock. So did King Richard, though his response was angry, and he spun on his heels to storm out of the chamber.
“King Richard, stop!” Queen Alma commanded. “You have not been dismissed.”
He stopped, but didn’t turn around. “Your Majesty, if I am not to marry the Princess there is no reason for me to stay here any longer.”
“I’m ordering you to stay for the wedding ceremony,” Queen Alma’s voice echoed with the power of the monarchy. “It would be incredibly rude to come all this way and not pay respects to the couple.”
Fuming, but obedient, King Richard turned and bowed curtly, poised and waiting for his chance to escape.
This was odd. If Bruno was the winner, why did Julieta look so horrified?
“This court congratulates you, Prince Bruno,” the Supreme Judge continued. “However, there are stipulations.”
Bruno felt his heart clench.
“Prince Bruno, your previous marriage to Duchess Eugenie is concerning. The complete absence of an heir, accusations of impotence, as well as the consanguineous nature of your union with the princess, has led this court to decide that we must witness the consummation of this union first hand. ‘Though the practice has been discontinued for quite some time, this court has decided that a bedding ceremony is deemed both appropriate and necessary in order for us to fully bless and approve of this marriage.”
It took only a moment for what they said to sink in, and all the color drained from Bruno’s face.
“The ceremony will take place after the wedding, and will help reassure this court that your union will produce an heir. Failure to complete the ceremony will result in the marriage being annulled at once, and the Princess will be wed to King Richard the Third post haste.”
It took every ounce of strength Bruno had to stay standing. Bedding Ceremony? Are they serious?
“The court will meet again tomorrow morning to discuss the details of both ceremonies. Congratulations to the soon-to-be happy couple.”
As the court room began to empty, Bruno heard his rival chuckle behind him. Clearly enjoying his discomfort, Richard leaned over to whisper in his ear.
“You should have fucked your wife.”