Deceptively Royal

Chapter 2

Walking into the dining hall I am full of nerves. My mother asked to meet me here at noon with no indication of what our meeting would be about. I suspect it has something to do with the coronation, but one can never be sure with anything my mother does. She hurries in with a bundle of parchment. "What are these for?" I ask curiously. Looking overjoyed she replies "Since the announcement of your coronation, we have gotten marriage proposals from all over the kingdom and beyond. I wrote down the names of all the lovely young men you can wed. I want you to have some say in who will be ruling beside you, so take a peek sometime today." Nodding I pick up a scrap of parchment.

Philip Walker
From the kingdom of Ruden
Occupation: Doctor
Likes: Jousting
Dislikes: Shepard's Pie

Kondor Jones
From the kingdom of Deimos
Occupation: Blacksmith
Likes: Dancing
Dislikes: Animals

Angar Ferguson
From the kingdom of Wiland
Occupation: Bookmaker
Likes: Croquet
Dislikes: Politics

The list goes on and on with each fact getting even more bizarre. I don't know why my mother would give me a list of random people and expect me to find someone who is suitable to rule, especially with so little information. I scan the list hoping to find a familiar face. It takes me a while but eventually I find a friend.

Callum Anderson
From the kingdom of Ether
Likes: You!
Dislikes: Chess

I cannot believe my mother had the audacity to shove Callum in my face with that 'fun fact', even if it is true. Whenever there are kingdom-wide balls, he always sneaks me away and attempts to confess his deep undying love. I have successfully dodged that bullet for the last few years, but I guess my luck has finally run out. Oh well, at least Callum is a good leader. If I have to choose anyone to marry, he is not a particularly bad option. He will make a great asset to France and I bet I can even convince him to say speeches for me once in a while.

Callum takes me to the garden that night and wiggles nervously. I suppose this is another one of his confessions, but I am not cruel, so I don't make him go on. "Callum I heard about your marriage proposal this morning. I have thought about it a great deal and I want you to know that I happily accept. You will make a fantastic partner to rule beside."

For a second, I sense disappoint but he rearranges his face so fast I find myself wondering if I imagined it. What am I saying? Of course, I imagined. This is the boy who has tried to ask me out for a solid five years now. The boy who picks flowers for me, not caring if he gets stung even though he develops hives at the slightest prick. The boy who stays away from awesome parties just because I do not want to go. The boy who would risk himself in a heartbeat if it meant rescuing me. Callum truly loves me, and I need to trust his loyalty to the crown.

"I will be by your side until the day I die. I will put my faith in you because I know everything you do is out of the kindness of your heart. And even if our hands are tied up, I will still find a way to hold you close." He looks down, pleased with himself at the wonderful words he put together. I laugh "That's really sweet Callum, but let's save the vows until our wedding day, okay?" Silently taking his hand I walk him into the castle as a way of showing everyone who the future king will be.

My mother peeks her head out from behind a potted plant and gives me a wide smile. It is the happiest I have ever seen her. I wish she would always look at me like that, rather than her usual scorn of disappointment.