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“Wonderful!” the duke exclaimed. He raised his glass to toast the prince. “All your efforts in your studies, my dear nephew, will bring you great success and be beneficial to our country.”
Turning to the duchess, he continued, “I thank you, my dear, for your curiosity about the prince’s academic progress, which pleases me excessively. It also reassures me since I have been very concerned about my dear nephew’s ability to rule such a complex state as our Portugal. But now I am relieved. I will soon be able to transfer the kingdom to a successful person who can cope with his duties. He will quickly become as great as my beloved brother, Edward, was.”
“I thank you from the bottom of my heart, uncle, for your kind words,” Afonso said politely, wiping his lips with a napkin. However, I still do not feel ready for such duties. I still do not know much and fear I cannot properly manage the country.”
Afonso continued, “I would like to ask you to delay this event until I feel I am ready.”
The duke, shaking his head empathetically, answered: “I perfectly understand, Afonso, but, unfortunately, what you ask is impossible. You have no idea what can happen when people discover that the coronation will be postponed. Many will immediately slander me. They will say I do not want to transfer power to the legitimate heir.
“You are well aware of what happened recently after my brother’s death. Queen Eleanor, your mother, who had received the right of regency, tried to become absolute rule over Portugal. She planned to make our country dependent on Aragon, 23 where she was from. She dreamed of making our independent, freedom-loving homeland a vassal state and annexing Portugal to Aragon. If the Cortes 24 did not intervene promptly and create a legislative document defining a fair regency, the unrest could have developed into a civil war. I hope you understand what I mean, dear prince, and I am sure you’ll agree that any questionable political decision could lead to significant destructive consequences.
23
Aragon is an autonomous community in Spain, coextensive with the medieval Kingdom of Aragon. In northeastern Spain, the Aragonese autonomous community comprises three provinces (from north to south): Huesca, Zaragoza, and Teruel. Its capital is Zaragoza. The current Statute of Autonomy declares Aragon a historical nationality of Spain.
24
In the Medieval Kingdom of Portugal, the Cortes was an assembly of representatives of the estates of the realm – the nobility, clergy, and bourgeoisie. It was called and dismissed by the King of Portugal at will, at a place of his choosing. The Cortes, which brought all three estates together, is sometimes distinguished as Cortes-Gerais (General Courts), in contrast to smaller assemblies which brought only one or two estates to negotiate a specific point relevant only to them.
“I beg you, Afonso, do not ask me that again. I assure you that you should not worry. Believe me. I will help you until you feel comfortable being a strong ruler.”
Noticing Afonso looked like he was about to protest, Pedro deftly changed the subject by turning to the duchess. “Dear Isabella, did you only inquire about the academic progress of my oldest nephew or both?”
Isabella replied: “Of course, I also inquired about infante Fernando’s progress. All his teachers except one assured me that Fernando is just as successful in his studies as Afonso.”
“You said, ‘except one,’” the duke asked with a slight frown.
“That’s right. His dance teacher.”
“What’s wrong?” asked the duke with surprise.
Fernando shrugged. Isabella continued, “His teacher said Fernando does not work very hard, especially when paired with a partner.”
“In pair dances?” asked the duke.
The duchess nodded. She planned to continue speaking when infante James unexpectedly broke into the conversation.
“Mother,” he said, “hard work has nothing to do with it. Fernando is just clumsy. Many of the senhoritas with whom Fernando danced told me. They all complained that the infante had stepped on their toes.”
“Clumsy? It can’t be!” the duke retorted. “I have often watched with delight how well Fernando skillfully wields a wooden sword in combat lessons. There he has no equal among his peers. Isn’t it true, Fernando?” The duke turned to the infante.
“Right,” answered Fernando proudly.
“So what is this report of alleged clumsiness in dancing?” the duke asked.
“I …, I …,” Fernando stumbled over his words.
Eight-year-old Phillipa exclaimed: “I know what it is! Fernando’s dance partners make him feel sick when he dances with them. So he deliberately steps on their feet. That way, he doesn’t have to dance with them.”
“Philippa!” exclaimed the duchess. “Why are you making up such a ridiculous story?”
“I’m not making anything up,” infanta Philippa said. “Fernando told me this in confidence. He also said it didn’t matter if you chose partners for him from the families of barons, counts, marquises, and other nobility. Just because they are noble doesn’t mean they are attractive. Tell them, Fernando. Fernando lowered his head and said: “I know now that I can’t share secrets with you, cousin, and I can’t trust your word.”
Philippa let out a guilty cry and covered her lips with the palm of her hand. “I forgot I gave you my word! Forgive me, please, Fernando,” Philippa sobbed.
Suddenly, the duke burst into laughter, wiped his lips with a napkin, and said: “Well, now, my dear infante. Your secret has been unintentionally revealed, and you can confess without hesitation. I assure you, we will all understand. Is it really that important that your dance partner is attractive? It’s just a class. I’m sure you’re quite a reasonable young man to understand this.”