THE ROYAL SECRET

is heart filled with hope. He was greeted with open arms by

s voice full of pride. "I k

home, Father," he said. "But I fea

n?" the king asked, his

find my love, Clara," he said, his voice filled with determination. "S

ce. "My son," he said, his voice low and grave. "I

ir to the throne, my son," he said, his voice heavy with the weight of his

he said, his voice full of protest. "I

head. "I understand

said, his voice firm and resolute. "The people will no

ight, that the kingdom needed an heir. But he could not bring himself to m

," the prince said,

said, his voice firm and resolute. "The people will no

ight, that the kingdom needed an heir. But he could not bring himself to m

," the prince said,

raised in surprise. "Are you suggesting tha

. "He is my brother," he said, his voice steady

e prince's brother. "Your brother is a good

you mean, Father?" he asked, his voice filled w

bitter in his heart. He has always resented your position as heir and has become consumed by jea

e kingdom, to the darkness that had taken her from him. He k

his father, his eyes fi

said, his voice steady and sure. "I will find a

ce. "You are a good son," he said, his voi

s still heavy with sorrow. "And what o

ing s

e and understanding. "But you must put the kingdom first. You must f

right. He must let Clara go, must let her rest in the arms of

the search for a wife," he said, his voice firm. "I will find a woman of good heart

mother's strength," he said, his voice filled with emotion.

. "I will begin my search at once," he said. "I will travel the k

filled with resolve. "Together, we will find a wife for you,

thoughts still heavy wi

rching for a wife for the prince. They visited the homes of noble families, attended grand balls, and

captured his heart the way Clara had. His thoughts were stil

n's eyes, and he knew that the pr

erstanding, "you must let go of Clara. She is gon

hake the feeling that Clara was still

y, traveling farther and farther from the king

bidding forest. As they entered the village, they saw a young wom

d her, his heart

asked, his voice

on the young woman. "She is known throughout the ki

oved from person to person, her touch

red, his voice filled with awe. "

ealer. "Her name is Isabella," he said. "She i

lla, her kindness and compassion radiating l

r," he said, his voic

o, my son," he said

abella, his heart racing

id, his voice shaking slight

e as she recognized the prince. "Your Highn

is voice low and earnest. "I

urprise and excitement. "Of course, Your

rner of the village, away from t

ard of your kindness and compassion, of your skill as a he

er eyes wide with

e a whisper. "I am humbled by your request. But I am

than any royal blood," he said, his voice filled with emotion. "I need a woman of good heart and st

h both joy and fear. She had never dreamed of such a life,

trembling. "I am honored by your of

gaze filled with sincerity. "Isabella

g for a woman who could fill the void in my heart. And in you, I see a woman of great heart an

owing weak in the knees. She had never imagined that a prince wo

voice filled with wonder. "I am at a lo

es," he said, his voice playful and teasing. "Say that y

she whispered, her voice trembling with emoti