As he walked over to the bed, he lay down and imagined Isabel untying the parchment string and reading his poems. Then his head began to fill with other things, and his thoughts sweetly stirred until he dozed off, nestled against the pillow.
The ship on which Prince Afonso and infanta Isabella were to set out on their first sea voyage was outfitted in a matter of days.
In the palace, everything went on as usual. The duke and duchess began to feel anxious two weeks later, waiting to hear from their daughter, and dreaming and praying that their plans would come true.
Finally, the duchess received the long-awaited letter from Isabel, which said the following:
Hello, Momma.
For several days now, we have been sailing, admiring the vastness of the sea, the sea creatures and fish, the sea birds, and the beauties of the lands we observe as we sail along the coasts of many countries.
I am very grateful to you, Momma, for your instructions, and I always try to follow them when I have the opportunity. Afonso, unfortunately, is not affected by my passion. He spends more time on deck than in the cabin with me, admiring nature and talking at length with the ship's captain, listening to his tales of military adventures in which he once participated. He also engages tirelessly in sword fighting with the attendant you sent with us.
While trying to set his heart on fire, I suddenly discovered that I had fallen madly in love with him, and I no longer feel the same way about him as I had. I saw him as a real gentleman, and I couldn't think of anything or anyone but him. And this feeling has become painful because he does not see me as a senhorita.
The ship's captain said we would be docking at our destination tomorrow morning. As you instructed, I will give this letter to our escort. My only hope now is in my Aunt Isabella of Burgundy, whom you asked for help with our plans. I pray to the Almighty for help for our whole family and me.
Your devoted daughter,
Infanta Isabella.
Two months later, a second message was delivered to the palace. The Duchess of Burgundy sent her trusted man on a merchant ship to Portugal. As was commanded, he handed the letter to Duke Pedro and told him: “Your Highness! I am sailing back to the Duchy of Burgundy on one of the merchant ships in three days. If your Highness wishes to send Her Serene Highness a message, you may do so through me.” Pedro thanked the messenger and said he would give him a letter on the day he sailed.
After the messenger left, Pedro immediately sent a servant to fetch Duchess Isabella.
As soon as Isabella entered the duke's study, she immediately guessed from her husband's enthusiastic face that news had come from Burgundy.
She hurriedly approached his desk, and as she sat down, she noticed a rolled-up parchment with a wax seal in Pedro's hands.
“Oh, my darling! Oh, my Pedro! Oh, what I see!” Isabella began to exclaim in ecstatic laughter. “How kind of you not to have torn the wax and instead waited for me so we could hear the long-awaited news together. The letter, of course, was not sent by our daughter,” the duchess concluded with a sad note in her voice. “I see the seal of Burgundy stamped on the wax seal.”
“You are very observant, my keen Isabella,” Pedro remarked, tearing the sealing wax carefully from the parchment.
