A Grim Fairy Tale

Chapter Twenty-Four

Germany wasn't the only kingdom having trouble with it's monarchy. It's neighboring country, Poland had spent many years struggling with it's king, Vincent and how he ran things. He was a very controlling and bigoted man. One with a very unhealthy desire to dominant everything in his life. To prove that he was the greatest and most powerful there ever was. Why? You'll find out within time.

Anyway all who existed in Poland obeyed his every command and would not dare oppose him. All except for his son and only child, Prince Anthony. For years the young man had constantly rebelled against his father, ignoring his orders and not living up to his expectations. You see despite his birthright, he had no desire to succeed his father as the next king. He felt that it was too much responsibility and that there were other things he wanted to do in life. 

"Anthony how could you skip another lesson?" His mother, Queen Giuseppina, scolded him one afternoon. 

"Well it was very easy Mother." He said. "I only told my tutors that I wasn't coming."

"But you know that this will enrage your father."

"Oh let him get enraged. He's never cared about all the times he's upset me. So why should I care at all about upsetting him?"

"How dare you speak that way about him. He's the king and your father. You must always be respectful to him."

"Like how he has always been respectful to everyone else?" He said. "Mother who speaks to everyone as if they were dogs, he even speaks to you that way. How can I respect anyone like that?"

"I will admit that your father is a very trying man."

"Trying? From the moment I learned to walk he's had me swamped with boring lessons and lectures, and the only time he ever talks to me is to berate me about what I'm doing wrong and how I am the future of Poland."

"Anthony he has to prepare you for when the time comes for you to ascend the throne. You're the crown prince of Poland."

"But I didn't ask to be the prince. I never asked to be born into the royal family."

"Your highness."

The conversation was interrupted by Sir Husk, Anthony's squire and one of the few true friends he had.

"The king wishes to speak with you Prince Anthony."

Anthony rolled his eyes and released a frustrated groan upon realizing what that would mean. He reluctantly left his bed chamber and went into his father's study to converse with the king.

"Hello Father." He greeted in his most respectful tone.

Vincent glared at him with such irritation and disappointment.

"Sit." He instructed and the young man did as he was told. "Where were you today and don't you dare lie."

"I was outside taking a harmless stroll with my steed." Anthony answered. 

"And what did you do after that stroll?"

"Nothing. I stopped to rest by a tree and then came home."

"A tree? You were conversing with that dryad again weren't you?"

"She happened to be there and I talked to her because she is my friend."

"We've been over this hundred times Anthony. You cannot associate with the likes of her."

"Why not?"

"She is not like us. She is not even human. She is beneath us. No son of mine will have anything to do with such filth."