This was a long morning from going from village to village. My father had my brother and I grabbing the taxes from the outer parts of the castle. Many people weren't paying enough for the month's tax. One villager shouted angry words at us. I summoned my blue flames to silence them. Everyone was more willing to give the exact amount of money. It's bad to use my powers to get people to work with me, I understand but I just wasn't having much of a great day.
"Simon, are you going to the training grounds?" My brother Luxus asks. I shake my head no. I wanted to spend time with Emily in the royal gardens. Emily is the maid to my sister. Emily is a year younger than me, 24, and she and I have been friends for a while. It was only a year ago that we decided to have a closed relationship. A prince does not have any relations with commoners. It's a rule for the royal family. It's a dumb rule in my opion. Emily is the most beautiful person I have ever seen. Her dark black hair is always up in a braid. Her smile is everything to me. She has such a nice welcoming smile.
"I'm just going to relax. Have fun training Lux." I say turning around, having my cape waving behind me. This cape isn't my favorite to wear. If I were to get in a fight I would get my cape caught in something and potentially die. I walk onto the garden grounds and move towards the pond. I see Emily sitting and looking at the ducks playing. I hold my sword to be quiet and run over to her and scare her. She jumps.
"Simon!" She laughs hitting my arm.
"I saw the opportunity and then went for it." I laugh sitting next to her.
"Right. How was the collecting?" She asks, holding my arm. I sigh thinking of the weirdest morning of the week.
"It was okay. It wasn't very fun. I pulled out my powers again." I said with disappointment, putting my head in my hands.
"I know you hate doing that. Sorry you had to do that."
"It's done for the month. I don't need to worry about it." We hung out there for the rest of the afternoon just talking and feeding the ducks and fish. I sketched a portrait of Emily capturing her beauty. He loved the sketch. When it was getting closer to supper Emily had to go to help Rya get ready for super. We kissed goodbye and we both went on with our day. I walked back into the castle with some unfortunate news from my father. My father was standing in front of my room, leaning against the wall.
"Hello, father." I nodded to him. His face was just emotionless as perusal.
"Son, I have something to discuss with you." He said opening the door. Great, I might be in trouble for something. I just couldn't think of anything that I did to upset him. I sat down at my desk and turned my hair to face him. My father took a deep breath. His deep overpowering voice came on and I knew he meant business.
"I am grateful to you and your brother for collecting the money today. I haven't been able to catch up with you this week. I recently got a letter from the King of Blakely. We have organized a marriage to you and his daughter. This is supposed to secure our two kingdoms to be allies. I know this is very sudden, Prince Simon, but please know that you will be doing us all a great favor." My father says to me still emotionless. He called me Prince Simon and didn't say son. I knew that this meant I couldn't back out of this. It was a request but a demand. How would I tell Emily about this? She would be completely devistaged. I couldn't say yes to this but if I didn't there would be a war and the blood would be on my hands. Sighing and nodding to my father I took a deep breath.
"I would be honored father."
"I will send word to King Harrid immediately. You will get married at the end of this month. The sooner the better. Most likely Princess Kate will be here by next week. For dinner I will be telling your mother and siblings that you will be accepting the proposal. I shall see you downstairs in 10 minutes."
"Yes father." The door closes and I just sit there in total shock. I am supposed to be married to the Princess of Blakely. I need to keep my thoughts in check until the end of supper. I need to get redressed before I go down. I am a mess. I hear the door open again and my servant walks in. Blye is one of my dearest friends. He has always been there to help me.
"I know about marriage. Are you okay?" Blye asks me as he helps me dress.
"I'm not entirely sure. I don't know how to break it to Emily. She won't know because only the royal family and special guests get to eat supper with my father. My father is expecting me to be okay with everything. I can't say no because then I would start an unwanted war. I don't even know what Kate looks like. I don't even know her personality." I say ranting to Blye. Blye just nods and gives some advice.
"Sorry you've been dealing with this Simon. I can talk to her if you want. . ."
"No, I should be the one to tell her. It would come out better and hopefully she wouldn't be as mad. I know Emily, she's understanding. Nothing could go wrong if I talk to her. Just tell her to meet me at the tavern. It's the usual one that we go to."
"Okay." With that he leaves and I walk down to the dining room. I get ready to enter. The doors open and my family is there. I look at all of them. They already know.