“What are you doing up at this hour?” the king asked her, passing an arm around her shoulders with the affectionate gesture of a son.
“Forgive me, Majesty, I'll leave immediately; now that I have seen you, I have nothing left, but I was so frightened that you had gone mad.”
“I'm sorry if I frightened you.”
“Where did you go, in the name of heaven?”
“To the sea. I needed to breathe. Do you understand what I mean?”
“Yes, you’re right. Here they keep you prisoner and you are still so young.”
“It's almost morning now, but I don't want to sleep. Do you want to stay with me for a little while longer?”
“Yes, Majesty; but only if you promise to rest.”
The king smiled. “You are like my little brother: he always forces me to do what he wants.”
Antonia helped him take off his boots, still fu
