“It will be an honor to have such a beautiful member of his family in our royal arts school,” she continued. “Oh! If only I had known her before! I would’ve made her my lady-in-waiting.”26
The next day, Isabel Zarco appeared at the appointed time in the duchess’ Royal Reception room. Isabella sat in the queen’s chair. To the left and behind the chair stood servants. The duchess was dressed in a magnificent white dress. She wore precious jewelry that sparkled in the light.
“Come closer, Isabel,” said the duchess, smiling.
Isabel approached the duchess with small, graceful steps as if in a dance and greeted her with an elegant curtsy.
“As you have already been informed, we would like to offer you a position to serve as a dance instructor at the Royal School of the Arts,” the duchess said. But that’s not all. I also would like you to hold private lessons in the palace’s dance hall. Senhorita, think over my proposal carefully and give me an answer as soon as possible. I believe you will have to discuss this offer with your family. Is that correct?”
“Your Highness,” Isabel replied, “I can give you a positive answer right now. My parents knew about the competition and my desire to participate in it. They also agreed they would support such an offer if I were invited to serve in the palace. Our family has always been devoted to our rulers. Therefore, serving the royal family in the palace is an honor.”
Isabella smiled and nodded approvingly. “Thank you, senhorita, for your devotion to our throne and homeland. I know about the merits of your family and, in particular, your father, the famous hero of Portugal. I once met him at one of the royal balls. He had been invited after his glorious campaigns and victories over the Moors.27
“I must tell you a secret,” she continued. “He won the hearts of many senhoritas at that ball. Unlike other gentlemen, he looked like a real man, an unsurpassed gentleman, and a valiant hero. And he had a dignified attitude toward all the nobles with whom he communicated. It was so long ago, but it was an unforgettable event.”
The duchess finished recalling this moment with a deep sigh. “I am very pleased it’s the daughter of such an extraordinary person as your father who will be within the walls of our palace,” she said.
“Thank you, Your Highness, for the good memories of my father and your trust in me,” Isabel said with a curtsy.
Having completed all her planned audiences by noon, Isabella decided to visit Pedro to share her impressions with him. At the door to her husband’s office, she instructed the guard to notify His Highness of her arrival.
She entered the office, saying, “Dear, if you only saw how charming Isabel Zarco is. I can’t get over it. She inspires with her external beauty, sensitivity, freshness, courtesy, and ability to communicate. She is an angel sent from heaven. I am sure she will not only teach your nephew, Fernando, how to dance skillfully but will turn his head with her charm and attractiveness.
“But I am also concerned,” Isabella continued. “What if the prince becomes overly fond of her? Will there be undesirable consequences? What do you think?”
“I’m now more concerned about my nephew, Afonso,” Pedro answered anxiously, pointing to the parchment lying on the table in front of him. It was tied with a cord trimmed with gold threads.
