The Princess Games

Xavier

***

Xavier returned home alone, the last three days running through his mind the whole time.

Clarissa had notified his parents the day she found him so they knew he was safe, but they had worried ceaselessly and it was evident on their faces when they saw him.

"Oh, my son," his mother murmured, holding him close.

His father patted him on the shoulder, his eyes shining with happiness. "It's good to have you back," he said.

"How were you treated? What was the house like? Were you well fed? How-"

"Mother," he broke in. "The house was tiny. The food was nothing like it was here, but it was warm and I was well fed. I was warm. I had everything I needed any time I needed it. They were more than accomodating. Miss Reina was an angel, seeing to my every whim and desire, never leaving my side. I would go as far as to say I was taken care of better there than I would have been here."

Thoughts of Clarissa made him long for her.

He would have to tell his parents he was in love, and very soon if his plan was going to work.

He'd thought long and hard on the two-day ride here. He was sure he had everything figured out- he was almost positive. The hard part would be getting the King and Queen to go along with it.

"I'm so glad to hear it," his mother gushed. 

"I will do anything to repay Miss Reina. Anything," his father added.

"I was hoping you would say that. Mother, Father, I am in love with her. I know it's soon, and I know she isn't royal, but I can't help it. I love her. I really do."

His father started to protest, but Xavier  beat him to it.

"Before you say anything, hear me out. I know how I want to choose my bride. I've thougth long and hard about it, and I am very serious about it."

"Okay, we will listen," his father said hesitantly.

"I do not want a spoiled brat as my bride and my future queen. I want someone who is compassionate, cunning, smart, tender, but strong and skilled in a variety of things: hunting, fighting, maybe even healing."

He thought again of Clarissa, a smile coming to his face. If his parents went along with this, he would actually have a chance to marry her.

"I propose we hold a tournament. The Princess Games. It will last a fortnight. Each day will bring some kind of challenge. One day we will have them compete in healing, one day they will compete in hunting. We can have servants pretend to be villagers and see how they handle different problems our subjects will have. The winner will marry me."

The king started talk, but Xavier held up a hand. "Not yet, I am not quite finished."

His father crossed his arms and leaned back in his throne to hear the rest.

"This will ensure that our future queen is dignified, able to stay calm under pressure, skilled, but also ladylike and elegant. Of course we will have ettiquite competitions, as well as the other, more difficult ones. Mother, you will be in charge of challenges. You know what it's like to be a successful, beloved queen."

His mother smiled, flattered. He took that as a good sign.

"The princess I marry will be strong and graceful, elegant and fiery. Everything a queen should be. She will be able to take care of herself, and will definitely be apt to rule our kingdom. And I will gladly marry whoever wins, with no qualms, whenever you want us to get married."