He Threw Away and Sold to the Devil 51

It’s just the first of many. 

26 Pors 

When they arrived at the beach, Alessandro stopped the horse. Abril was mesmerized by the calm sea, the waves moving like arms and forming a mother–of–pearl–colored foam. A little further away, she saw some boats approaching the port, and several seagulls were fishing in the sea. The landscape was beautiful. Abril could never have imagined that one day she would be able to enjoy such a view. She had resigned herself to living her entire life confined, with her only moments of freedom being in that small house in a corner of the royal palace. She had never desired to leave or even be free because she had never known what freedom was. Without realizing it, tears rolled down her cheeks. 

Alessandro dismounted from the horse, and seeing that she was crying, he asked, “What’s wrong? Why are you crying?” 

“It’s nothing.” 

Alessandro extended his hands to help her dismount. Abril threw herself into his arms, remembering that Lady Elizabeth had told her that a kiss could express gratitude. She kissed him and said, “Thank you so much for bringing me here, for showing me what lies beyond the palace walls.” 

Alessandro felt conflicted: she was thanking the very person responsible for her 

confinement, for showing her what was beyond the palace walls. He returned the embrace and replied, “I want to show you everything in my kingdom and even beyond it. This place is just the first of many more.” 

Alessandro looked at Abril’s face, wiped her tears, and said, “I prefer to see you smile, so 

don’t cry.” 

Abril nodded, and he gave her a soft, sweet kiss on the lips and asked, “Do you want to walk a 

bit?” 

“Yes.” 

“Then let’s go, let’s enjoy this beautiful landscape while we’re here.” 

Alessandro knelt down in the white sand and said, “Give me your foot.” 

“For what?” 

“You’ll see.” 

Abril lifted her right foot, and Alessandro removed her shoe. He then asked for her left foot and did the same. Abril’s feet sank into the white sand, an unfamiliar sensation for her. She 

: 

It’s just the first of many. 

said, “It feels strange.” 

“I know, but it’s pleasant, isn’t it?” 

“Yes, it is.” 

+25 Points 

Alessandro took off his shoes and placed them next to Abril’s. He took her hand and said, 

“Come on, this isn’t what I wanted to show you.” 

Abril followed him, enjoying the sensation of her feet sinking into the sand. When they reached the shore, the waves splashed Abril’s dress. Seeing Alessandro entering the water, she asked, “What are you doing?” 

“We’re going into the sea.” 

Abril stopped abruptly and said, “I don’t know how to swim.” 

“I know, but you have nothing to fear. I won’t let go of you, and we’ll only go in far enough to get our feet wet.” 

Abril held up the skirt of her dress to keep it from getting wet and continued walking. When the water touched her feet, she smiled. Alessandro said, “See, it’s not scary.” 

Abril stepped on something that pricked her foot, and she winced. Alessandro picked her up and asked, “Are you okay?” 

“I think something pricked me.” 

Abril stared intently at the water. At the bottom, she saw something shining. She pointed at it and said, “Look, I think it was that.” 

“Did it hurt you?” 

Abril moved her foot and replied, “No, it didn’t hurt. I’m fine.” 

Alessandro set her back down and retrieved what Abril had pointed out from the water. It was 

a beautiful pink seashell. He handed it to Abril and said, “Was it this?” 

Abril took it, examined it closely, and replied, “Yes, it was this.” 

She looked at him and said, “It’s very pretty. What is it?” 

“It’s a seashell. These are especially used to make pendants among the commoners.” 

“Can I make a pendant with this?” 

“Yes, but I don’t think it’s something a princess should wear.” 

<It’s just the first of many. 

“Why not? I like it, and I don’t have any jewelry.” 

+25 Points: 

Alessandro felt he had failed as a husband upon hearing the princess say she didn’t have a single piece of jewelry. He said, “If you want jewelry, all you have to do is ask.” 

Abril extended her hand, showing him the seashell they had just picked up, and said, “Then could you make a pendant with this? I would really like this to be my first piece of jewelry, so I can remember this day every time I see it.” 

Alessandro couldn’t refuse after hearing that. He took the seashell from Abril’s hand and said, “When we return, I’ll have a beautiful pendant made for you.” 

Abril smiled happily and said, “Thank you so much.” 

Alessandro put the seashell in his pants pocket and wrapped his arms around her waist. “If you’re grateful, you should thank me in another way.” 

“Like how?” 

“Like you did a moment ago, with a kiss.” 

Abril placed her hands on his chest, stood on her tiptoes, and kissed him. Her kiss was sweet and gentle, just like she was. Alessandro deepened the kiss, kissing her passionately while his hands roamed aimlessly over her back and hips, wishing he could remove her clothes at that very moment and feel her bare skin, the warmth of her body. He sighed heavily and said, “I wish we were in our room right now so I could make you mine.” 

Abril felt scared, remembering how painful her first time had been. 

“I don’t want to.” 

Alessandro gently caressed Abril’s hair, tucking a strand behind her ear, and said, “This time will be different, you’ll see. There will be no pain; I’ll make sure of it. I’ll make you feel good.” 

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