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the castle to perform the spell.”
    â€œValentine…you’re only twenty-one years old, you still have much to live for.”
    â€œThat is where you’re wrong. Without her, my life would not be worth living.”

    Valentine was grateful that the wizard knew his way out of the forest and through the villages. With few problems, the two arrived at the castle on the morning of February 14th.
    Valentine stared at a frail, sick Daniella lying on her bed. “The gods have played a cruel joke on me,” he said to the wizard.
    The Healer spoke softly to Valentine, “She has been asleep these past two days. I fear she will never again awaken. That is how the red virus ends.”
    â€œNot even to say goodbye to her fiancé?” Valentine asked gently. He held her hand in his and slowly spun the gold ring on her finger. “That’s all right, my love. You will need your rest.”
    Valentine released her hand and bent down to give her one last kiss. “I’m ready now.”
    â€œNot yet.” The King stood at the doorway. “Young man…I once had the opportunity to do precisely what you are, and I allowed fear and pride to ruin my life.” The King paused for a moment, as if reliving a past he had completely locked away.
    â€œI love your daughter, Sire.”
    â€œI know…I know. And for that, I will always be grateful. If this works, rest assured that you will never be forgotten—not in our hearts, nor in our family, and certainly, never in our kingdom.”

    As the two lovers lay on beds side by side, Valentine reached over and grabbed Daniella’s hand.
    â€œWould you like to be put to sleep?” the Healer asked him.
    â€œNo, thank you. I want to live long enough to see her beautiful eyes open once more.”
    â€œSo be it.”
    The wizard began the incantation and Valentine felt his blood boil—it was ten times worse than his experience with the white roses. He cried out as his stomach ached, his head pounded, and his fingertips and toes went numb. “Is this what she has been going through all this time?”
    No one spoke a word. The wizard continued the chant.
    â€œOh, Daniella, I am so sorry, my love. Please forgive me.” His breaths became labored, “I am sorry I could not be here for you when—”
    â€œDone!” The wizard clapped his hands once and Valentine felt a lurch in his heart. It ached! Oh, how it ached! This was the end—he could feel all life draining from his muscles. As his body weakened, he turned his head and looked over at his love.
    â€œDaniella…” he said weakly, “you will always have my heart. I love you.” Valentine lacked the strength to say another word and slowly allowed his eyes to drift closed. But before he felt the last ounce of his spirit leave his body, he heard the angelic sound of his Daniella’s voice.
    â€œValentine, I love you…You, too, will always have my heart.”

    With Valentine’s death and Princess Daniella’s recovery, the King repaid his promises in full. His first order of business was replacing the royal sorcerer with the old wizard, who was allowed to live in the castle for years to come.
    But more importantly, in his kingdom and soon, all over the world, the King made sure that the 14th day of February would forever be known as Valentine’s Day. He decreed that on that day, every man in love with any woman must give her three gifts. Chocolates—to remind her of the sweetness she has brought into his life. A dozen red roses—to mimic her timeless beauty. Finally, a symbol of his heart—so that the woman could physically hold it in her hands and feel that his love is truly all her own.

VALENTINE’S DAY
Paper Hearts
Jennifer Allis Provost
    Esther Howland was an artist and businesswoman from Worcester, MA, who is widely credited for popularizing Valentine’s Day greeting cards in America.