In 24 hours the fate of Olivia will be decided by the seven wise men. Both King Alexander and his son are not ready to shift ground.
Queen Isabella is worried about the rift between her dearest husband and her lovely son. She quickly summoned a meeting to see if she can salvage the situation within the palace before the next morning. Would she be able to achieve that great milestone?
7.30 AM
It was a cool morning at the palace and there was an unusual silence in the palace occasioned by the unsettled clash between the King and the Prince.
"My love, my son, you are both welcome to this emergency but necessary meeting. We need to talk and come out with something positive in order to avoid disgracing ourselves in the public tomorrow".
"I must confess, I am not happy that you both handled this matter carelessly. I believe we settled this amicably within ourselves without being at the mercy of the eventual decision of the Wise men". The bothered Queen Isabella said.
"Mum, you will agree with me that I have liberty to choose whoever I desire to be my wife. It's my life and my destiny. No one will play that role for me". The unhappy Prince Brandon responded.
"Oh yes! Here you come again. You may have liberty to choose but we as your parents are duty bound to put you in the right direction whenever you are going astray". King Alexander said.
"My son, for the sake of the reputation of our throne, please listen to your father. He meant well for you. He won't lead you astray. Please my son, listen to him and back down on your decision to marry Olivia".
"WHAT! Mum, that's impossible. Nothing on this earth will make me drop my intention to marry Olivia. No, no way". The hesitant Prince answered at the top of his voice.
"I know, he won't. He always thinks he knows better than anyone. The angry King Alexander said.
"Brandon, my lovely son. You know I love you and always want the best for you. Don't you think Princess Terra of Mustard kingdom will make a better wife for you than a commoner, Olivia". The thoughtful Queen inquired.
"No, mum. I don't think so. Olivia is a good woman. She has everything I desire in a woman. She's my love and my heartbeat. Without her my world is empty. She's the only one that can fill the emptiness inside my soul. I can't compromise her love for me".
"Brandon, your position is well understood but you are not a commoner, as a Prince and prospective King you must always put the sanctity of the kingdom into consideration in all your undertakings. You can't just do things anyhow like any other person, including your choice of spouse". The emotional Queen said.
"Good, my dear. Maybe you need to educate him more. I have said it several times that my decision on Olivia's matter is never a personal but a well considered one". King Alexander stated.
"Really? And where is my happiness in your decision? Do you even consider my inner peace in this? No, I don't think so. I always want to be a happy man and I won't accept anything that jeopardizes that". Prince Brandon insisted.
"Son, you are right. But, please do this for me. Do it for the sake of love and respect you have for me. I know you can do this. Please, Brandon". The emotional Queen said in a fainting voice.
"Mum, no way. Truly, I love you and respect you a lot but in this matter, my mind is already made up. No Jupiter can change it. Me and Olivia are destined to marry each other". Brandon insisted.
"Oh my goodness! Son, do this for me. I will forever be grateful to you. Son! Please do". The hesitant Queen said.
"No, mum. I won't. Olivia loves me so much, I can't break her earth. We have gone a long way, I can't drop her at this critical period when he needs me most. No, I can't". Prince Brandon insisted.
At this point it seems to Queen Isabella that the rift between King Alexander and his son, Brandon is insurmountable.
"My dear, have I not told you not to disturb yourself about this matter? Now, can you see. Your son won't listen. He is not ready to listen to the voice of wisdom". The pessimistic King Alexander said.
"Alright, my love. Now that it is obvious that your son's mind is made up to marry Olivia against your wishes, can you please allow them to be? For the sake of the throne and how the public will react to the contest between a King and the Prince. The thoughtful Queen Isabella suggested.
King Alexander kept mute for a few minutes. No doubt about it, Something heavy was running through her mind. What could that be?
"My dear, it can't be. My son won't marry a commoner. He must marry a befitting wife. Princess Terra will be his wife whether he likes it or not. I am not backing down on my initial stand. Nothing in this world will make me accept Olivia. Absolutely, nothing". The hesitant King Alexander responded at the top of his voice.
"Oh my goodness! So, you guys have made up your mind to wash your dirty linen in public? Are you ready to make yourself a laughing stock in the public? Oh mine! I can't believe this. The unhappy Queen Isabella lamented.
"Mum, you need not to worry. I will win. The Wise men will rule in my favour. Olivia is going nowhere. She will be with me forever". The hopeful Prince Brandon boasted.
"Really? Just wait and see how you are going to be disappointed tomorrow. You and Olivia shall be disgraced tomorrow. She's leaving this kingdom tomorrow. Tonight is going to be her last night in my Kingdom. The optimistic King Alexander responded.
"Alright, we shall see. Prince Brandon said.
"Yes, I will defeat you. Mind you, I am always a winner. I won't lose this battle". King Alexander boasted.
"Really? I have never lost a battle. I am very sure I will heavily defeat you in this struggle". Prince Brandon answered.
Queen Isabella who called for the impromptu meeting to settle the rift between her husband and her son couldn't utter a word again. She was just watching how both of them were boasting and raising their voices against each other. She has
accepted her fate and ready to wait till the next morning when the Wise men will put an end to the lingering issue between the father and his lovely son.
The only question that is still begging for an answer is, who will win the battle?