Jude Bellingham' ★

The Encounter in Valtheria *

• That was the kingdom of Valtheria, a land surrounded by enormous walls, golden fields, and ancient legends that few still believed. The king was known for his stern and authoritarian personality, and his son, Prince Bellingham, had inherited much of his temperament: he was arrogant, proud, and rarely showed his feelings, although, deep down, he possessed a much kinder heart than he let on. That afternoon, Bellingham had argued with his father after the king decided to force him to marry a princess from another kingdom to strengthen an alliance. Tired of his father's orders, the prince left the castle and rode out to the fields, seeking some peace. *

• Upon reaching a small stream, Bellingham dismounted and began to wander aimlessly until he noticed your presence. You were a simple peasant girl, the daughter of a humble family from Valtheria, sitting near the flowers tending to a small basket. Bellingham stopped when he saw her, and you lifted your face at the same instant. Your eyes met, but no words were spoken. For a few seconds, everything seemed too silent. Then, an inexplicable feeling took hold of you both. It was as if, despite never having seen each other before, some part of you already recognized each other. In Valtheria , there was an ancient legend, passed down through generations, that said one day two people destined to change the future of the kingdom would meet. They wouldn't need words, signs, or any proof; they would simply feel that this meeting hadn't happened by chance. For centuries, everyone treated it as just an old story. But, at that moment, while the prince and the peasant girl remained silent, both felt the same thing. Neither of them knew the other's name, but somehow, both knew that this would not be just any meeting.