The queen was excited, it had been a long time since her last travel. Her venturesome spirit yelled in her mind every night, after the exhausting and tedious days as the head of nobility.

“I can't wait to get away from all of this”, she thought as she passed by some servants who immediately bowed. “It's a party for the nobles, but at least it's far away from here, I'll have a good time on the road. Oh my! Riding, eating fruits straight from the trees!”. Such was Rosa's distraction that she barely saw her protégé bowing to her.

- Henrique! How 's your foot?

- It is quite better, Your Majesty, thank you for your concern.

- There's no need for formalities! After all, you are my heir - Rosa patted the boy excitedly on the shoulder.

- This is still strange to me, Your Majesty.

- Rosa, darling, just Rosa.

- Okay, Rosa then - he smiled.

He was a charming boy and knew the balance between being polite and pleasant, without being preachy or intrusive. He was intelligent, always excelled in his studies and, despite his young age, seemed to know how to make decisions with maturity. Rosa stared at her little find, buried in the distances of kinship. The boy had dark hair, honey green eyes, and olive skin typical of Sunstone, as well as a round, upturned nose, like hers. He reminded her of the former king, even if she only knew about her father from stories and portraits.

- Have you finished your morning lessons? - asked the queen.

- Yeah, I've got my free period if you need anything.

- Very kind of you, perhaps… Do you want to see something?

- Yes! -  Henrique's eyes lit up.

- Come with me.

Despite being very mature, Henrique was still young and loved Rosa's stories. She took him through the halls of the castle, to where she kept her treasures that didn't fit in the master bedroom. As she opened the door, Henrique let out a wide smile, no one was allowed in that room without the queen or the royal curator.

The room was spacious and well lit. The walls were filled with exotic decorations. Glass domes and other showcases kept treasures from different parts of the world. Rosa looked around beaming, whenever she wanted to escape court she would take shelter in that room, but that day was different.

- Henrique, I have already told you several of my stories. Unfortunately, I've never been able to take you on any trip until now… You know, with the increased crimes on the roads, the responsibilities of the kingdom, blah, blah - she made a face making Henrique laugh. - But I want to ask you, if you could choose, which kingdom would you like to visit?

- It is hard to choose... My first desire would probably visit some kingdom that still has magic. Maybe Celegorm? You have so many good stories from there!

- I really do, don't I? - Rosa let her gaze wander around the room, to a specific section of that realm. - Maybe, when I get back from the wedding in Hyra, I can take you there. I'm tired of this castle.

- I would love to go with you! - Henrique looked excited, but at the same time worried.

- What 's the problem?

- I like your stories... But I do not know if I am an adventurer...

- Why not?

- Your Majesty was younger than I was when she started traveling… And I only traveled around Sunstone's kingdom, I am bad with horses, I get seasick on boats… And you saw how bad I am at jousting…

- Are you afraid?

- I… - Henrique looked at her embarrassed. - I just think that maybe I am more given to books.

Rose embraced him.

- There's nothing wrong with you, for liking being safe.

- I just do not want to disappoint you, Your Majesty.

- First and foremost, I told you to call me Rosa or you! - Rosa pulled back to look at him, Henrique smiled through his embarrassment. - And you're perfect the way you are! I'm actually glad you're not crazy like I was in my youth. But live one adventure or another, at least so you don't regret it later.

- Your M… I mean, do you regret anything?

Rosa looked at the boy for a few seconds. Despite eventually dealing with Celegorm, that day's conversation had revived some memories she had been keen to bury in her mind.

- I don't know - She replied, her gaze returning to a lute displayed in a corner of the room.

Henrique looked at her curiously, but realized that that was not the best time to speak.

***