HESPERUS

The knight of the three roses, so called because three red roses were painted on his shield, has just won the tournament and approaches the lord of the castle Prince Lorian who asks him:

«Knight of the Three Roses, you fought well and won the hand of Princess Cleon, my daughter, as I decreed at the beginning of the tournament; why don't you take off your helmet and show your face until now you haven't told us your name, take those red roses and offer them to your future bride"

The knight takes off his helmet and the face of a young man with golden hair appears, everyone recognizes Ser Vailor, the son, believed to be dead, of Duke Benfort, of the Grand Duchy of the Three Roses, who was declared a traitor for having favored the victory of the enemies of the kingdom and who was killed in that battle; his family was banished and his lands confiscated.

The young man takes a red rose and approaches the tribune where Princess Cleon is sitting with her lady-in-waiting next to her, the splendid Countess Eliza, daughter of Count Ludovico of the County of Flowers. The princess stands up to receive the knight's homage. His eyes are sad, he seems to be barely holding back tears, but Ser Vailor ignores her, kneels at the feet of Eliza, who looks at him with eyes that sparkle joy, and utters this declaration:

«My sweet Lady I offer you this red rose like my heart that beats for you, accept it and say yes»

Young Eliza gets up, takes the rose and responds with a voice that betrays emotion:

«Rise, noble knight, I take this red rose and place it on my heart that beats for you and I say yes to you»

The Prince stands up angrily:

«Guards, arrest that traitor's son and take him to the dungeon, how dare you show up in this castle and insult my daughter? At dawn tomorrow you will be executed, I should have recognized the coat of arms of your house that you painted on the shield"

...........................................

​

The complete story on the book DREAMS OF SUMMER NIGHTS