Love Rekindled
Long, long ago, in the mists of time, when the world was still young, there lived a beautiful princess, Evelin. And Evelin was madly in love with a handsome knight, Bradley.
When the king found out, he was pleasantly surprised and happy, for he greatly admired Bradley.
— Announce it throughout the kingdom! Knight Bradley and Princess Evelin shall marry on the next full moon.
And so, Bradley and Evelin were to marry in two weeks, and the entire kingdom was ecstatic. Now, according to royal law, the bride and groom were not to see each other from the moment of the announcement until the wedding day. But their love was so great that they couldn't bear to be apart.
Secret Meetings
— Oh, Bradley, my knight in shining armor! Each day that passes without holding your hands breaks my heart. These 14 days will be an eternity! — Evelin! — Huh? Bradley?
The two lovers embraced.
— Bradley, you know it's against... — I know, my love, but I cannot live without seeing your face. — Did anyone see you? — No.
The two lovers spent some time together, then it was time for Bradley to leave. But on the balcony was a potted cactus, which Bradley didn't see, hurting his hand.
— Ah! — You're bleeding! — It's alright, don't worry. I'll see you tomorrow.
And then, the knight left. Evelin moved the cactus behind the other plants. Thirteen days passed, and the lovers met secretly every night.
— Only one more day separates us, and you will be mine forever.
The Tragic Accident
But destiny had other plans. On the 14th day, Evelin was in the royal carriage on her way to the river for the traditional bath that every bride in the kingdom received on the eve of her wedding. But on the way, a carriage wheel came off its axle, and the carriage crashed.
— No! — My daughter!
Princess Evelin was severely injured. The kingdom was engulfed in silence, the festivities canceled.
— How is she? — The doctors are tending to her, but they say her chances of seeing the light of day again are very, ah, very slim. — No! It can't be! My Evelin! — Doctor! What is it? — She... has fallen into a coma. — No! — Her head was severely affected. — How long will she be in this state, doctor? — Either she will come out of it, or she won't. — No!
The Princess's Awakening
Throughout the entire kingdom, news spread that the princess was fighting for her life, and everyone prayed for her well-being. Bradley remained by her side incessantly, gazing lost at her face. Time passed, and on a clear, sunny day, Princess Evelin opened her eyes.
— Ah! — Evelin! — Huh? — Mother! Father! — Oh, my child! — Huh? Guards, call the doctors! — Well, my king, prepare a grand celebration, for Evelin is out of danger. — Evelin!
Bradley, who had just heard the news, rushed to see her.
— My love, you made it! I'm so happy that... — I'm sorry, but who are you?
Amnesia
— What? I, I am Bradley, your beloved. We were supposed to get married and... — I'm sorry, but I don't know what you're talking about. — Evelin, please lie down. Don't tire yourself. — We need to talk.
— Evelin has come out of her coma, but the injury has affected her, taking some of her recent memories. — What? What do you mean? — It's called retrograde amnesia. She doesn't remember a part of her past. That's why she remembers her parents, the language she speaks, her motor skills are intact. But the last few years have been erased from her mind. — Will she never recover her memories? — The chances are very slim. Only by a miracle. I advise you not to put pressure on her. The happier she is, the faster she will heal. Make her happy and pray that something will trigger her memory recovery.
Bradley's Sacrifice
Bradley awoke, filled with conflicting emotions. He was both happy and distraught.
— Bradley, I can only imagine what you must be going through. But you heard the doctor. We all want her to recover. Leave for a month. Travel. Come back, and hopefully, she will have recovered by then.
With tears in his eyes, Bradley nodded. His priority was Evelin's health.
— Take care of her. I will return in a month.
The young knight took a deep breath and, facing his feelings, left the palace.
A New Suitor
Days passed, and Princess Evelin began to recover. One day, the prince of the neighboring kingdom, Prince Luis, at his father's command, came to visit her.
— Your Majesty, my father sends his regards to Princess Evelin for her strength. — I am very grateful, Prince Luis. — Ah, my daughter is here. Evelin, greet Prince Luis of the Kingdom of Bolta. — Hello, Princess. Your beauty surpasses imagination. — Thank you, Prince Luis. — Child, could you show Prince Luis around? He is visiting our kingdom for the first time. — Of course, Father!
In the following days, Evelin and Luis grew very close. The prince was head over heels in love with the princess. And Evelin began to feel her heart flutter for Luis.
Bradley's Return
— Stop! — I haven't seen her this happy since the accident. — Indeed, my dear. I just hope that this time fate won't... — I won't allow that. I asked Luis to extend his stay here, and he accepted.
While Evelin and Luis, with each passing day, grew more and more in love with each other, Bradley, unaware of the developments at the palace, was preparing to return to the kingdom.
— A month without you. A whole month, and we couldn't even go a day without seeing each other. How cruel is life to make us kneel before its course? But I'm coming now, my love.
Memories Regained
Bradley entered the kingdom and went directly to the palace. But what awaited him there was something he was not prepared for.
— No, seriously, I want you to meet my parents. — I think I'd like that, Luis. — Oh, Evelin!
A terrible turmoil erupted in Bradley's heart, his legs turning to jelly.
— Hmm? Who is that? Hello!
Evelin looked at Bradley and immediately recognized him as the man she had seen when she woke from her coma. The inside of her heart trembled.
— Hello, sir! I'm talking to you! — I, I... — Oh, he's a man I called for some work. He probably got lost around here. Come on, young man, let's discuss the job. — I, I... — Come!
Evelin watched Bradley leave with her father, when suddenly, a strange feeling of sadness overcame her.
— Hey! Are you alright? — Yes, I'm fine.
The Reunion
— I'm sorry, Bradley. Her memories haven't returned. But she is very happy with Prince Luis, and I cannot take her happiness away again. — What should I do? — Leave the kingdom. The treasurer will give you a lot of money. Settle elsewhere and find someone else. — But I... — Don't you want to see her happy?
Bradley didn't answer. Of course, he wanted to see her happy. Meanwhile, Evelin had returned to her room, feeling very emotional, without knowing why. She stood on the balcony and watched Bradley leave, suddenly noticing the cactus.
— What are these red marks?
Evelin picked up the pot and looked at the bloodstains. Her eyes widened. It was as if a dense dust that had enveloped her mind had suddenly vanished. In an instant, her memories appeared to her. She screamed in disbelief.
— No!
The King, Queen, and Luis ran to her room.
— What is it, Evelin? — I remember, I remember everything! Where is Bradley going, Father? Where is he going?
The King told her everything, and Evelin immediately ran out of the room.
— Bradley! — Huh? — Evelin! — Bradley! — Evelin! — Oh, Bradley, I remember everything now, my love! — What? — Please, don't leave! I can't live without you! — Never!
The Wedding and Wisdom
Thus, Bradley and Evelin were finally reunited. The King went to Luis to offer his apologies.
— I'm sorry, Luis. Please accept my sincere apologies. — I truly wanted to marry her, you know? I was going to come and ask for her hand in marriage. — I know, but she doesn't love you. She loves Bradley. Would you want to marry someone who isn't in love with you?
Luis understood what the King meant. He accepted his apologies and returned to his kingdom. On the night of the full moon, Bradley and Evelin married in a grand wedding.
The doctor said:
— The mind is a strange thing. We believe the heart is responsible for love, but it's not. It's all the mind's doing. The heart unjustly bears the shame.
True love is stronger than any obstacle, even forgetfulness. It always finds its way back.
