Short Story Of The Week: The Omniscient Bastard
There he goes again and he is coming back in two days. It was announced that the King is going on Royal duty to Oeiras, but I know it is not true. He is meeting the so-called ‘Myrtle Flower’. I have seen her around. Very delicate. Very pale. A true lady. A married noble lady! His golden carriage awaits him in front of the palace. The servants rush to get everything ready on time. Some maids run around to dress Sua Majestade , others are preparing Sopa da Pedra and a chestnut roast. The Royal Coachman is already waiting in his red and yellow suit. Today the King will visit his sixth bastard child, Maria Rita, who was born a few weeks ago. He is wearing his best silk cape, his grandest wig and silver brooches. I was never that important to him, not even when I was born. I am ashamed of being Don João V’s bastard child, especially because I was abandoned by both my parents. I have not seen my mother - Mother Paula de Odivelas- since I was around eight years of age. She left me a...