O Carrasco de Victor Hugo José Alves

In a smoky Lisbon café of 1857, a handful of fervent republicans gather around a table, their conversation a whirlwind of politics, philosophy, and bitter humor. The narrator, caught in the swirl of ideas, hears talk of metempsychosis, the lingering ghosts of Robespierre and Mirabeau, and the whispered scandals of the Portuguese monarchy. Their debate drifts from lofty ideals to the sordid rumors of illegitimate royal offspring, setting a tone that is both satirical and unsettling.

Amid the clatter, a mysterious figure mentions “a luveira da Rua Nova da Palma,” describing it as a sweet, almost magical blossom that promises a revelation. Intrigued, the narrator accepts an invitation to meet the next day, hinting at a strange encounter that may expose hidden histories. The promise of that meeting propels the story into a curious exploration of identity, power, and the shadows that linger behind official narratives.