Princess Gelena and the Winter of Destiny

Once upon a frost-tipped winter in a kingdom of high mountains and hidden valleys, there lived a princess named Gelena. She was a vision of beauty with a spirit unyielding, as brave as the warriors who guarded the kingdom’s walls. Though pampered as the only daughter of King Jeorcfe and Queen Vasemne, Gelena carried herself with discipline and quiet resolve, preparing herself to one day wear the crown with wisdom and courage.

Yet behind the palace walls, storms brewed that no one could see. Her mother, gentle and loving, was the warmth of her childhood, while her father’s harsh temper and coldness left invisible scars on Gelena’s heart. She grew up witnessing endless arguments, harsh words, and the kind of silence that fills corridors like a ghost. Love, she believed, was the cause of heartbreak and confusion. She decided that her life would have no place for love or marriage, only duty and the purpose of serving her people.

Her life became a dance of discipline, learning the ways of the court, studying statecraft, and planning how she would bring peace to her people. Yet in this life of duty, there was one spark of joy that remained—her childhood friend, Parquito, son of Admiral General Philips Andrew. Parquito was her mirror, a fellow spirit of adventure, wild laughter, and daring plans. They studied together, sat side by side in classes, and snuck away to chase the wind on horseback through snowy fields.

One winter day, Parquito urged Gelena to skip classes to ride to the snowy hills. Gelena hesitated, nervous to ride into the forest trails.

“So, the brave princess of the realm is afraid of a horse?” Parquito teased with a mischievous grin.

Gelena scowled, but her pride ignited, and she mounted the horse. As they galloped across snowy meadows, the cold air kissed her face, her hair streamed behind her, and laughter burst from her lips as snowflakes landed like blessings upon her cheeks. They built snowmen, threw snowballs, and warmed their hands over hot chocolate, sealing a memory that became a yearly tradition—riding to the hills every winter to taste freedom.

Time, however, moves with quiet cruelty. They grew, graduated, and went separate ways, Gelena to study economics and Parquito to study health sciences in different cities. New friends, new places, and busy lives filled the spaces where childhood memories once lived.

In her university days, Gelena met Steve, a charming, smooth-talking young man who praised her beauty, admired her grace, and made her feel less lonely in the cold corridors of the palace and the endless nights of study. Gelena, who had vowed never to love, found herself drawn into the warmth of attention she had long denied herself, unaware that Steve’s intentions were as cold as the winter outside. Steve’s eyes were set on the throne, not the heart of the princess.

When the winter break arrived, Gelena returned to the palace, surrounded by celebrations and warmth, yet her eyes searched the crowd for someone else. Her mother noticed and quietly told her that Parquito had not come to the welcome festivities, hurt by Gelena’s silence over the past months.

That night, unable to rest, Gelena mounted her horse and rode to the hills where the snow lay thick and silent under the moonlight. There, waiting by the fire, was Parquito, just as she had hoped. She ran to him, embracing him, tears in her eyes.

“You didn’t write back,” Parquito said softly, a smile tugging at his lips.

“I’m sorry,” Gelena whispered, “but you were always in my thoughts.”

They spent the day reliving memories, riding through the snow, and sipping hot chocolate at their favorite corner in Bastino Mall, laughter echoing around them like music.

Steve’s shadow, however, returned. The day after Christmas, Gelena found Steve waiting in the palace gardens, demanding why she hadn’t replied to his messages, his voice rising in anger, his words sharp as knives. The argument brought back memories of her parents’ fights, the raised voices, and the heartbreak she swore she would never allow into her life. She trembled as old fears surfaced, then with sudden strength, she ordered the guards to escort Steve out, severing the toxic bond forever.

For two days, Gelena retreated into her chambers, consumed by memories and doubts. Parquito, concerned, approached the Queen to ask about her. That evening, her mother found Gelena staring at the moon, tears in her eyes.

“My child,” the Queen said softly, brushing her hair from her face, “you cannot lock yourself away forever because of the pain others have caused you. There will be those who will hurt you, but there will also be those who will stand by you, love you, and protect you. If you shut yourself away, you will lose those who truly care. It takes courage to trust, to live, and to love.”

That night, Gelena thought of Parquito’s laughter, his unwavering friendship, and the way he looked at her with honesty. She realized that the walls she built to protect herself had kept away the one person who had always stood by her.

On New Year’s morning, the frost glistened like diamonds on the palace grounds as Gelena dressed in a golden gown that caught the sunrise, her heart calm and clear for the first time in years. She rode to Parquito’s home and waited as he stepped out, surprised to see her.

Without hesitation, Gelena dropped to one knee, pulling a small, carved wooden box from her cloak. “Parquito,” she said, her eyes shining with unshed tears, “will you marry me?”

Parquito’s eyes widened, and tears filled them as he lifted her to her feet, embracing her as the snow fell softly around them.

“I have loved you since we were children,” he whispered. “And I always will.”

They married in the winter, with snowflakes blessing their vows and laughter warming the air around them. The kingdom rejoiced as its princess, once afraid of love, embraced the destiny that had been waiting for her all along.

Because sometimes, destiny does play its move, but it is courage and love that complete the game.