Page 76 - RIVISTA NOIQUI DICEMBRE 2021

IRIs VIGnOLA
spaventatevi, sono qui per liberarvi. Venite con me, vi condurrò immediatamente alla
vostra reggia.> Così dicendo, le prese la mano per esortarla a seguirlo.
La sua reazione fu inaspettata perfino a sé stessa: <No, vi prego di lasciarmi, io... non
intendo seguirvi. Tornate da dove siete venuto.> Replicò a quella proposta.
Consapevole che avrebbe dovuto rinunciare al suo trono, in caso non fosse riuscito a
ricondurla al castello, il Principe l’afferrò per trascinarla via anche contro la sua volontà
ma, in quel preciso istante, Lorenzo, avendo udito le grida di aiuto, fece irruzione nella
stanza, seguito dalle sue guardie e si avventò sull’intruso, facendolo poi trarre in arresto.
In seguito, si rivolse alla prigioniera: <Margherita vi chiedo nuovamente perdono per
il mio atto sconsiderato. Certamente, dopo i bei giorni trascorsi insieme, avrete capito
che vi amo, anche se non nutro la speranza che voi possiate fare altrettanto. Ho deciso
di scortarvi personalmente alla vostra reggia e di implorare anche il perdono dei vostri
cari.>
Quello stesso pomeriggio, partirono dopo aver liberato il meschino pretendente, la cui
avidità lo aveva portato a perdere il suo regno.
Dopo vari giorni, giunsero al castello dove i Sovrani si rallegrarono per il ricongiungi-
mento con la loro figlia e, immediatamente dopo aver ascoltato le parole del Principe
rapitore, ordinarono alle guardie di rinchiuderlo nelle segrete.
Purtuttavia, la Principessa, che aveva realizzato da tempo di provare lo stesso senti-
mento di Lorenzo, impulsivamente si frappose fra di loro, provocando lo stupore della
corte.
<Lasciatelo andare padre, io amo il Principe Lorenzo. Malgrado tutto sia contro di lui, a
seguito del suo atto oltraggioso conseguente a un momento di rabbia, possiede un’ani-
ma nobile e è degno della vostra stima. Vorrei che lo conosceste come l’ho conosciuto
io e cambiereste la vostra opinione su di lui.>
Il Re decise di accontentare sua figlia ed ebbe così modo di constatare di persona le
virtù del nobile che ne aveva catturato il cuore.
Le nozze si celebrarono in gran sfarzo. Seppure nato da una situazione burrascosa, il
loro amore fu immenso e vissero a lungo felici e contenti.
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periodico mensile del gruppo NOIQUI
MARGARET
In a great kingdom there once were a King and a Queen, and they were really loved
and well liked by their subjects, for they were good and reigned with justice. Their only
child, Margaret, was born when they had already resigned to the idea that God Almi-
ghty did not want to send them babies, so their joy appeared to be indescribable.
When the child reached school age, they called at court all sorts of scholars, and from
them she learned not only to read and do math, but also dancing, playing the piano
and the behavior more suitable to a Princess.
Time flew, and for her eighteenth birthday the Sovereigns prepared a very big cele-
bration, that included a huge ball where the Princes of the adjoining kingdoms were
invited, since Margaret was already of marriageable age.
The beautiful guest of honor was competed for, and each dance she changed partner;
making a decision would be tough, they all seemed handsome and gallant.
Sometime during the evening her father took her aside.
<My dear, all these affable Princes are here only for you; each of them wants to ask
for your hand in marriage. Tell me: does any of them attract you particularly?> He
asked.
<But, father, what are you saying?> She replied, blushing full of shame.
After the party everyone retired to their apartments.
The Sovereigns, though, hoped that their daughter had already chosen one of them
in her heart, unaware that a lack of the Monarch was bound to have serious repercus-
sions.
At night, some men, sent by a Prince the King did not invite to the feast and wanted
to avenge the terrible offense as a consequence by hitting him in his greatest affection,
abducted the Princess.
Surely the fatal oversight was due to the fact that the kingdom in question was actually
small and, moreover, the days of travel by horse needed to reach the palace were inde-
ed countless.
When the guards arrived, bearing excitedly the news of Margaret’s disappearance, the
King was desperate, and the Queen started to sob.
<My husband, where is our child? Do something to find her promptly... I beg you.>
She whispered.
The royal suitors, still guests at the castle, were instantly informed of the tragic si-
tuation that was unraveling, and they offered to investigate on the mystery of the
unexpected disappearance. At that point, the King promised his daughter’s hand in
marriage to the man who would find her first.
In the meantime, after an endless journey, the poor thing was led to the presence of
Prince Lorenzo, the mastermind of the kidnapping.
<How dare you commit an action so shameful against me? You must sent me back
immediately to my palace, or else my father will personally come to kill you!> She or-
dered furious to the Prince.
He answered: <Your father does not know where you are and the reason behind your
presence here is a retort to the grave offense he caused me, forgetting my existence.>
Lorenzo had indeed blemished his reputation with a shameful act, although he was
esteemed and respected by everyone for the nobility he showed in the following days
to the kidnapped Princess. His respect was so evident she came to resign herself to
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periodico mensile del gruppo NOIQUI