The Prince's Heart

The Prince's Skirt

In a warring time, The King of West Nalia needs to make a peace and trade pact with Hampud to the North. The Queen of Hampud requests one thing above all else, a marriage for her son. The problem is West Nalia only has male heirs. 

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Prince Nat of West Nalia who spent his entire life loving absolutely everything and everyone and in return being loved by absolutely everything and everyone, absolutely hated today. And he was sure he hated the person in front of him. But above all else he hated what he was wearing. 

How did it come to this? Nat sobbed inwardly.

One week earlier...

"Prince Nat." His father said after Nat was summoned to his chambers. 

The King, Nat's father, was known as a gregarious and friendly King. Loved by his people. He had made them rich with diversified business and open trade routes. Even in a time when the surrounding kingdoms turned to ashes with wars, greed and poverty; West Nalia had been an oasis. Pockets were lined and the homes of the common man became larger and outfitted with large window boxes of pink tulips, a tribute to the King. 

Nat as Prince had watched the country flourish with pride. He spent his days making sure no citizen was without. An extra blanket for Rebecca and logs for her furnace when her husband fell ill and was in hospital. Deliveries of books to the local schoolchildren. It was all part of his princely duties but Nat loved every second of it. He was making a difference. 

Nat looked up at his father, who instead of cheerful smile Nat usually got or stern negotiator face the King gave his advisors, he had a look of sadness and steadiness. "What's wrong father?" Nat queried.

"Wrong?" The King echoed and nervously coughed. "Nothing wrong exactly..." He trailed off.

Nat was hesitant, but he knew when his father had something important to say he would calculate and take time choosing his words, so Nat just waited. 

"It's time for you to step up your duties." The King finally said. 

"You finally want me to sit in on your trade talks with Chunesia?" Not just charity work, Nat could finally do the work his brothers were doing. He was so excited he let out a squeal. Not a very princely effort, but Nat couldn't help himself. 

"No your brothers are handling that perfectly on their own." Nat started to sulk but the King continued, "This is a task only you can do." 

"As you know trade talks with Hampud of the north have been turbulent and filled with strife." The King stated. 

Nat nodded in response. 

It had been months of negotiations and the treaty with that nation was finally to be signed next week. The King was expected to travel to Hampud as sign of cooperation and union of the two powerful nations, one full of strength and the other full of wealth. Nat had hoped he'd get to travel too, but it was usually always his brothers who went on royal visits. Curse him for being the youngest.

"We need their military aide if we want to stave off the Eastern rebellion from Sunano. It is vital to our safety and the prosperity of our people." Nat knew this but let his father continue on. His father was wringing his hands nervously and pacing, uncharacteristic for the King. 

"To sign the treaty with Hampud we were forced to make certain..." The King sighed and looked above. "Concessions." 

"That is the case with all negotiations father. I'm sure it was tough for you." Nat agreed.