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William gazed out at the gardens below the balcony at which he stood. The scent of blooming roses and freshly cut grass wafted up. However his attention was not on the lush roses or vibrant manicured lawns but adrift in a sea of doubt. The weight of his father's expectations threatened to crush him. Their conversation still lingered fresh in his mind, a constant reminder of his inadequacy.
'You must be the leader I know you can be, William,' his father's voice echoed through his thoughts like a mantra. The words stung, a bitter taste that lingered on his tongue.
How could he possibly lead when his heart rebelled against the very notion of colonization? The thought of marching into the foreign lands of the Gold Coast of Africa, imposing their will upon its people and taking the country from Her rightful owners by force made his stomach turn and twist with unease.
He envisioned the locals, their faces etched with fear and resentment, their livelihoods torn apart by the greed of his own people. And yet, he had promised his father that he would see it through. He could not possibly go back on his decision now.
Though the burden of that promise felt like a chain around his neck, threatening to choke him if he didn't succeed. He couldn't shake the feeling that he was in a role he didn't want, destined to carry out an act he didn't quite want to play.
Frustrated he ran his hand through his raven hair, attempting to massage away the throbbing headache that had taken hold.
'Am i overthinking everything, or am i simply a coward?' He wondered, tapping his fingers repeatedly against the concrete railing of the balcony.
Apart from pleasing his father, becoming King was all William had ever desired, a title he had coveted for as long as he could remember. He often told himself that he was willing to go to great lengths to claim it, yet at this moment of time, he wondered if he truly meant it. And yet, a nagging sense of guilt lingered, a persistent whisper that he was compromising his values in pursuit of his ambition.
He sighed once more, the sound escaping his lips as he wrapped his finger around the gold handle of the porcelain tea cup that was resting on a saucer on the balcony railing, bringing it to his lips and taking a sip.
The tea had grown cold, a bitter reminder that even his moments of solace were fleeting.
As he gazed out of the window once more, the gardens below him seemed to mock him, their beauty and serenity stark a contrast to the turmoil brewing within. The sun was setting, casting a golden glow over the landscape, but William's heart remained shrouded in darkness, uncertain of the path ahead.
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The Colonial Heart ✓ (Editing)
Historical Fiction"Britain, 1840s Prince William Harry Harrington, the eldest son of the British monarch, stood atop the grand balcony of Windsor Castle, gazing out at the sprawling gardens below. His thoughts, however, were far from the lush greenery and vibrant flo...
