"Many stories end with a prince who meets a girl by fate and are destined to be together.
They focus on a boy who's life is changed by a single person, they grow from greed and become a man of generosity."
"But, what if a prince never meets a person who can change them?
What if he never becomes the best person he could be because he never reached out to try?
Does he dream of becoming the best he could be? Of course he does.
But he's fine with where he is."
The man shuts the book and looks out amongst the crowds of children.
"It's over just like that!?" one says.
"You can't end a book like that! That means the prince will never be good!!"
The man sitting on the tree stump shushes the children and continues speaking.
"The book never said he was a horrible person did it?" He asks.
A series of no's echoes from the crowd.
"Now, I have to get back to my day." he tips his hat "go back home."
He then stands up from the stump and makes his way through the path marked by bushes.
Light shines through the tree branches casting shadows of different shapes on the figure and the ground.
The cool wind slightly messes with stray hairs peeking out from under his hat as he walks through the path leading to the structure in front of him.
"Good day" A guard in front of the doors waves at the man.
"Good day to you" He says as he makes his way in the door.
The halls pass by in a blur of motion, colors of light blues, whites, and reds catching his eye as he makes his way to the main hall.
As he walks towards the giant red doors at the end of the hallway two guards open the door which reveal a throne room.
"Karl!! Welcome back!!" One of the guards besides the throne joins Karl's side.
"Sapnap! Hello!"
"So what we're you up to today" he asks
"Oh you know just thought I would stop by the town for a bit, now if you'll excuse me"
Karl walks up to the occupied throne and genuflects below it.
"Oh come on there's no need for that!" The figure hops down from the throne and fasces karl directly.
"King George-"
"None of that king stuff either, we're friends not work partners."
"Well then...George, I have some news to speak of."
"What is it?" George paces the floor.
"As you may know tomorrow is your 18th birthday...or your coming of age ceremony."
"How could I forget?"
"This also means it's time to look for a suitor."
The pacing king stops in his travels and look back at Karl, his face reflecting quandary.
"A suitor?" The king asks.
"Well of course. It's tradition for any kingdom or kinship to look for a suitor at a certain age."
"But who says I need one?"
"Tradition does, the village,....the books" Karl replies, a stern look setting his face.
The tomes of prophecies.
No one knows how they show up or who writes them, they're a legend only the higher ups know are true.
The basis of kingdoms and lands are based off of the prophecies, commanding protection over the people.
For it was written after the destruction of a small town named L'manburg,
"For the land of destruction was far and wide, there must be a keeping eye.
One that puts the people before themselves divided amongst the land.
For corruption never ends."
The people have lived off these prophecies for years and don't plan on stopping anytime soon.
George and Karl keep eye contact fighting without actually talking, listening to the ticks of the clock on the nearby wall.
"You're right." The king finally gives up his silent fight and agrees to listen.
"Thank you. Now, I was thinking we announce tomorrow, before the ceremony, about the lookout for suitors and if we see someone who interests you, we will go." Karl states.
The king makes his way back up to his throne contemplating on what events are soon to come just because of the passage of time.
"I will leave it to you Karl to decide where we send the letters. I have my trust in you to take this seriously."
"Of course. If you'll excuse me?" Karl genuflects one more time and makes his way out the door.
"King George if I may" Sapnap finally speaks up from where he was standing besides the door.
"You may, go get caught up with eachother"
Sapnap then nods in return and runs out after his fiancée in hopes of catching up and sharing stories of Karl's time in the village.
The king was left alone in his throne room, the colored light from the stained glass windows shining through onto the floor creating a pattern of geometric shapes
"Why must I commit myself to something I don't want just because some book said I have to...?"
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Well hello everyone!!! This is just a preview of what is soon to come, my second project!
I hope all of you will enjoy reading this when the time comes!
word count: 873
YOU ARE READING
love and thorns | dnf
Fanfiction"Wait!" He grabbed the boys wrist, "What is your name? Can we meet again?" The boy looks up into his eyes seeing the look of desperation. "If fate allows it."
