The Outside World

Chapter 2

Despite my belief that I will never touch the outside world, a small part of me holds out faith for my 21st birthday. In our Kingdom of Ocen every citizen gets paired with their Spouse on their 21st birthday. Of course, like everything else, this is controlled by the Royals. We have no choice in the matter. Although we are told our Spouse is picked based on compatibility by a lengthy profile we fill out on our 20th birthday. Whether or not that is true is unknown. Not that I can voice my doubts. I must seem somewhat obedient and docile if I want my Spouse to be an Official or a Chosen One.

There is just one day left until I turn 21 and become a Spouse. Just one day left in my childhood home. And hopefully just one day left living in captivity. This morning -and every morning- my room is bright with artificial light signaling the start of the day. I rise and put on my slippers so I can feed my Blue Jay named Jack. As I head over my TV turns on automatically. This means there is a mandatory viewing today. I sigh and sit down, bracing myself.  It could be any number of things, though it is most likely an Atonement.

An Atonement is basically what it sounds like, a way for a citizen to atone for a slight committed against their Kingdom. And the Kingdom takes slights seriously. The countdown ends and I see the Royals gathered about on a navy sofa.

"Good Morning citizens of Ocen, I am here with the Royals today in order to bring some exciting news." The Chosen one steps aside and allows the camera to focus on the King.

"As you all know my son is turning 21 tomorrow. This means he will take a Spouse and his place as the King of Ocen. However I have decided to bring back an old tradition. Prince Nikolai shall choose a Spouse from the pool of Citizens turning 21 on his birthday. For a Royal has the birthright of choice."

Shock runs through my body. To choose a Spouse is a myth so faint. We have been told that the power of Choice is corrupting in most matters. A Spouse is much too big of a Choice to make, even for a Royal. But that is not the part that shocks me the most, I share a birthday with Prince Nikolai. And for a few minutes I allow myself to dream of a fiction in which I am the one he chooses. I would have more freedom than even an Official. I could run on grass and breathe clean air.  I wouldn't have to rely on my measly hour of window time to have the wind blow through my hair. My life would be completely different, better.  I barely manage to pull myself back into the present as Prince Nikolai is speaking.

"We shall meet the Citizen of my choice tonight. So I can get to know their family and dine with them. If you hear a knock at your door today you are allowed to open it."

"Will the entire Royal family be going, Your Highness?"

"For everyone's safety I cannot answer that. But rest assured the Kingdom of Ocen will get a peek of all the proceedings in 3 short months. My Spouse must become adjusted to their new life as a Royal."

"Well there you have it Citizens of Ocen, in just a day we shall have a new addition to the Royal Family. Have a great day and we'll see you again in 3 months."

I stay seated on the ground, trying to process everything I just heard. Prince Nikolai as my Spouse would be more than even I had dared dream of. I haven't seen much of him through the broadcasts. But I have seen enough to tell he is gentler than his Father- kinder. The way my Father is with my Mother.. The opposite of an Official that lives to give Atonements in order to raise their access to the kingdom's clean air. A gentleness the King seems to believe is unfit.

But alas, I cannot spend the entire day thinking about the faint possibility of becoming Nikolai's Spouse. Jack has become determined to remind me of reality by pecking at my wrist. I am late in feeding him. I rise once again and push the button in his aviary so that it dispenses food and water. Now that Jack is sorted and chirping happily it is time to join my parents and siblings for breakfast.