The Path to Ivory

Ch. 5 - Impending Union

My heart beat out of my chest, I could feel it in my throat. An arranged marriage? Sure, I guess there wasn't anything wrong with that. I worked my best to convince myself that it would be fine and it would work out. I always thought you got to choose who you wed. That's what my Kingdom was all about! Giving someone a thoughtful gift that represented your want to be together in life and love.

I thought love was all about who you wanted. But I suppose that's for the people that get to go out and meet people. I wasn't exactly smitten with any of the people who tended to me, and I haven't exactly been face to face with citizens all too often to form a spark like that. I guess it made sense, since I was eighteen and haven't found someone myself, but... I was never given the chance!

The attendant speaking to me continued, but I heard none of it, instead looking up at the giant painting above the fireplace. It was me when I was very young, alongside two people I never really knew. I've been told they were my parents, but I can't say if I know that to be true. Is that what happened to them, were they arranged together? Is that why I couldn't put the definition of love on the tip of my tongue? If you never see it, how are you supposed to know it's there?

I wonder if others found this exciting, if my father squealed in joy when they told him the same news. I doubt it, from the images I see around this castle, he wouldn't know a smile if it hit him square on. Did my mother take the first opportunity to run away from her old life to be here? What was her old life like, anyways? I wouldn't know. They weren't here for me to ask.

"What do you think, young sir?" The man asked me, I cursed myself for not paying attention.

"Y-yes I think that's fine, sir!" I responded, not knowing in the slightest what specifically he was asking about.

"Wondrous, I will go out to the retainers and inform them they can leave before the days end." He bowed to me, and for the first time ever, I took a step out of my usual routine.

"Pardon me, but, could I ask you to put a slight hold on that?" I told him. Being my first time every doing something not in the script, he looked blindsided. But I think it reminded him that I was, in fact, the prince. I think they forget that in terms of the system, I was in charge.

"Oh, yes young sir! What made you change your mind, if I may ask?" I'm amazed that he said that without stuttering, we all had such a set-in-stone way of talking that coming out of it is harder than most would find. But his question made me realize that that must've been what I agreed to.

"I... had an urge to go out into the kingdom today, actually." Whatever I was saying was being made up on the spot, mostly in panic, but also to find a way to potentially throw this plan off its rails. "Consider this... a test of resolve...?"

He looked confused. I looked confused too.

"Okay, sure thing, young sir. I'll put a hold on them until further notice, and gather your porter posthaste and-"

"No need!" I interrupted him! I was just as shocked as he was. I felt so brand new. "I plan on going out alone, so... tell him nothing." I said.

"A-alright then, young sir. Consider it done! And... uh... have a good trip out. Inform me as soon as you return, please." He said, he shuffled in his stance. The script was broken, even he was moving unlike how he was supposed to. My heart raced, not only was I still panicking but at the same time I felt a freeing sensation. I bowed, and made a quick pace to the hallway.

It took a lot of willpower to not run down the hall at full speed, leaving my coat behind, and slamming the door. Luckily, I didn't do it, and did grab my coat, watching the front doors open in front of me as I got to the entry room. Even the people opening them looked confused, I rarely left the castle, and never alone. I swallowed down the lump of anxiety building in my neck, must be the metaphorical 'frog in the throat' I've heard of, and stood a tad awkwardly after leaving the castle, and not even off the walkway yet.

I shuffled the coat onto me, which admittedly was more like a large cape, with fur lining the neck and the same trim on the bottom as was on my more royal garments. I looked down at the steps and controlled my breathing. I didn't have a reason for wanting to leave, but who knew? Maybe I would find a girl I could potentially fall in love with out here. My first time out alone... maybe there were travelers? We are pretty well known for our trade routes, some people would kill for our chocolates.