Lake of Love

Dinner

Sonic sighed as he look at his bowl of untouched beef stew. His parents look at each other bth concerned for their son. "Dan—Sonic is everything alright my son?" The king asked. "Not really father...." Sonic replied. "What's troubling you sweetheart?" The queen asked. "Me and Sally had a fight.... I don't know if I should ask her to marry still...." He sighed. "Fights happen Sonic all the time. Now what was the fight about?" The king asked. "Well father I wanted to travel the country after I turn 21 and see the world before fully settling down. I wanted to have sally join me because well... I don't want to be alone.... Plus we could find goods for our people..." sonic sighed. "Well I think that's a wonderful idea for you to travel I wish I thought about that when I was your age. I'm sure sally would be quite happy to see other places. Or is that want the fight was about?" The king said. "Yeah she didn't want to and stay put to be queen... I don't want that.... But I mean if that what she wants I'll ju—" "Sonic look at me" the queen said and Sonic does. "Why are you willing to give that up? It's actually a good strategy for our people." The queen said. "She thinks it's unreasonable..... besides.... If I want her to be my queen and make you all happy then—" "Happy? Daniel are you saying you're considering marrying her because of us?" The king asked. "Well... I mean...." "Daniel do you love sally?" The queen asked. "Well I do but my love for her has shifted into a friendship kind of love for the past several months the now.... I figured since you all and her parents are happy with us being together marrying her would be the next step. And please stop calling me Daniel...." Sonic sighed. "We are calling you that because we are serious son. I don't want you to marry someone you are not in love with. I want you to marry someone you love dearly and only share that special kind of love." The king said. "But why? Is it because you and mother were arranged?" Sonic asked. "Actually we weren't sonic. We meet at your father's coronation. I was a duchess from another royal court and when we met it was love at first sight and he asked my father to court me. We married within a year." The queen smiled remembering one of the happiest moments of her life. "Really? Wow... I didn't know." "Indeed. I will say I always stood firm on you finding true love on your own and on your terms since the day you were born. Now Rothbart did ask to arrange you and sally at birth but I declined. So once more I stayed firm. So Daniel, if you wish to end your courtship with sally we won't be upset with you and I'm sure they will understand." The king smiled and Sonic felt relieved but sorta sad at the same time. "Thank you father. Thank you mother." he smiled. "You're welcome my son" they both smiled.

The following week at dinner Sally was quiet and expecting Sonic to say something but nothing was said. Once the two were alone sonic took a deep breath and held her hands. "Sally.... I'm sorry..." he said. "I'm sorry too...." She replied. "Look.... I need to do what is best for my heart and spare yours continuously." He said and she tilted her head in confusion. "What do you mean?" She asked. "Sally I love you since 18 but the past several months that love turned into more of a love of friendship.... We both want different things and I don't want us to be in a loveless marriage..... I want to find true love and adventure around the country to find something to better my people's lives. I'm sorry sally..." he said and she sighed heartbroken but nods. "I understand and frankly I agree. I will always love you my friend.... I must ask is there someone else?" She said tearing up and he lets go of her hands. "No there isn't Sally this is a decision I made following what I think is right." He said and she sighed then nods. "Goodbye Sonic..." she said before walking away gracefully even though her tears were falling. Sonic watches as she gets into her carriage and rides away.

Sonic felt his heart being set free yet soon had a very bad feeling something bad was about to happen.