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KING HENRIQUE II

“There's nothing as important as family, son. Always remember that.”

Invisible ink penetrated his skin as the words fell past his father’s lips on that afternoon. He was only ten years old, but the weight of that conversation as King Henrique kneeled in front of him to teach the boy how to tie a tie, stayed with him till this day. The only time his father kneeled in front of him as equal, protected by the walls of his office where no one could see. Always remember that.

Gabriel is the first to admit that he has not always remained true to that, self-guilt for wanting to vanish and remain away from his parents and siblings, confined in a world where royalty did not exist and it was only him, to answer and to act upon his wishes. While most look for the fairytale, he wishes upon the (somehow) ordinary. Although he did not have all the obligations his older sister had, he still felt trap into a life he did not want, but love and loyalty are something you cannot run from and God, he does love his parents and siblings more than anything else, an all-consuming feeling that is capable to turn even the good ones into doing things he does not wish to; he would die and kill for them.

“There's nothing as important as my family sir, there will never be.” He replies, his soft features now turn into a straight and serious expression. “Sometimes, I go blind into my emotions and as someone once told me, they will be my rescue and lifeline. The only people I can trust.”

He never felt alone or unloved, he grew to be who he is because of the love and the values his father has envelop him from very young. Gabriel has never been jealous of the close bond between Henrique and Barbara, he had no reason to be when his father has made sure to give him everything he needed, including the freedom to be and to make his own decision. He never admired someone as much, respected someone as much. It’s earned, it’s a mutual exchange. Henrique took him to his first kart racing, to watch F1 for the first time, taught him fencing and playing whatever game together became their own language. Even when time are unease, when things aren’t exactly as they imagine, there’s no one Gabriel looks up to most.

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BARBARA DI SAVOIA DE BRAGANÇA

"Henrique in heels and meaner words” BRAGANÇA, gabriel. 

His eyes flicker as Gabriel sneaks over his shoulders, suddenly mesmerized by the power that emanates through such a younger figure as she chases him down the hall of their home. The five year old knew better than to provoke her like that, but it was ineluctable, to get a reaction from his older sister –– it was to his own amusement. Yet, he knew no harm could come his way if he stood next to her and he swore to never leave her side, he was going to grow up one day, and become strong, wiser and to be more like Barbara. Until the end of the line, he would remain stand there and be one of her biggest fans.

He is not good with words, expressing his feelings verbally to another or declaring it out loud in big gestures. And, if you are Barbara, the language spoken is very unique because they have their own way of understanding each other. They fight and five minutes later laugh at something stupid the other did and it’s all forgotten, their text exchanges consists of pictures sent without a single word sometimes. They are more likely to have dirt and embarrassed exposed of the other than anyone else. From a very young age, Biel has put Barbie into a pedestal, but he will never dare to say it out loud, ever. He is allowed to have the tough conversation, to annoy the life out of her and loves to pick a fight from time to time just cause he can. However, don’t you dare try do her any harm, you won’t live to see the next day. There is a very good reason why he is also so protective of Dani since birth, he feared and hated the possible backlash the entire thing could take. He never once blamed Barbie. And it may not appear as so, but he values her opinion a lot.

CATARINA DI SAVOIA DE BRAGANÇA

"against authority. except for my mom."

One of the first memories he has is more of a feeling than a clear image. It’s the warm sensation of being in his mother’s arms while a song is played in the back and her thick accent mumbles along with it. ‘Keep on smilin' 'Cause when you're smilin' the whole world smiles with you.’ To this day, sometimes he does lay his head on his mother's shoulder, close his eyes, and allow himself to be transferred to that moment, in her safety, he can allow being vulnerable. 

Catarina di Savoia is a fierce and powerful source in their household. While with Henrique he took the funniest and layback side of him, the hidden side of Gabriel is a work of Catarina and maybe the reason why they get along so well even in their disagreements. She didn’t make it easier, but she loved him even when he didn’t feel like he deserved or felt worth of it and that was most of his youth. But he knows, it’s within him, he puts the hours, he does the work and he stays focused to achieve what is necessary, but that doesn’t mean he needs to display it –– it’s easier to hide that facade. Yet, if she knows, if she is proud then it’s enough for him. He grew surrounded by those powerful women, all badasses and he isn't afraid of being in their presence of one or being diminished by them. His mother is the base of everything. There’s no other like her, no one that deserves to be worshiped as much.