Royalty

I

"Father, do I really have to do this?" I whined. "I'm only twenty do I really need to find a wife? I can be king without one" my father shot my a look that told me I should really shut my mouth. I ignored it. "And what about my soulmate?" I asked. "What are the chances that I meet her tonight?"

"Daniel" he said sternly. "You know soulmates are rare. Hardly anyone finds theirs. And you only have a year until you become king, and you know that every prince must be married before he can take the throne" I pulled at the itchy fabric around my arm to look at the half sun tattoo inked on my left wrist. The tailor slapped my hands away and went back to fixing my outfit. Every person was born with an incomplete tattoo somewhere on their body, usually on the wrist, and when the two people met, their tattoos would be completed. Very few people actually found their soulmate, some people spent their whole lives looking for them. "You can love someone who's not your soulmate" my father continued. I obviously knew that, I was just trying to find a way to get out of this.

"This is bullshit" I complained. My father gave me a look. I started squirming around. I'd been standing in the same spot for what felt like hours. The tailor glared at me. "Why can't you just change that? You're the king, can't you do something fucking useful!"

"Watch your language" he said, ignoring my question. I groaned. "And hold still please, Daniel. You're going to mess up your hair" I grit my teeth, but obeyed. Tomorrow night there was going to be a ball in my honor. I was supposed to meet all the eligible girls from the kingdom and choose one to be my wife. I only had a year to fall in love. A year before my father was going to step down and make me king. Everything for me was about to change. And I was not ready for it. When I complained that one night was not nearly long enough to fall in love, my parents arranged for there to be several more balls in the months to come. I didn't complain for a while after that.

"Remember how we practiced" my father said. "Be kind, and ask questions. You are representing the Howell bloodline" I rolled my eyes. "But above all, be yourself." I snorted.

"So you're saying be good, but be me? Yeah somehow I think that might be a little difficult" I said sarcastically.

"Daniel" he said warningly. I shrugged. The tailor cleared his throat. I tried my best to stop moving. "Just," he sighed. "Don't do anything stupid"

"Try my best" I said flatly. My father started to say something and then threw up his arms and stepped out of the room.

I would do what I was told but I didn't have to be happy about it.

The next day seemed excruciatingly slow. Every minute felt like ten. People were around me at all times, preparing me for the ball. I was scrubbed clean and dressed in clothes that were too tight, and my hair had so much product in it I wasn't sure it was ever going to move again. I was beyond relieved when it was over.

Now I was standing at the top of the marble staircase, looking down at everyone who had already arrived in the ballroom. I was far enough back that no one could see me yet. Everyone was dressed up and waiting to meet me. I avoided balls as much as possible. Dressing up just wasn't my thing. I hated having to be dressed and showed off like some show horse. That's all I was to my parents, something to show off. They were proud of what they had made me to be, not who I really was. The only reason they even had a child was because they needed someone to take the throne when my father stepped down. If I had been born a girl they would've had more children, until had a boy. I would've been married off to the first prince that showed interest in me.

I could bitch about how unfair all this is all day but I didn't have time just now. In a few moments they were going to announce my presence and the ball would begin. I was starting to get nervous. Meeting people had never been my strong suit. I was too awkward and stiff around new people, and it didn't help that people thought that I was somehow better than them because I was a prince. I didn't think I was better than anyone. Actually it was kind of the opposite of that.

"Excuse me, sir" my male servant, Jack said.

"Jack, seriously? Do you have to call me sir every time? You're my best friend. You can call me Dan" I reminded him. He batted his eye lashes and smiled.

"Of course, Sir Dan" I glared at him. "Are you ready?" he asked seriously. "It's about to start" my chest squeezed painfully.

"Well," I took a deep breath. "I'm as ready as I'll ever be" he put his hand on my arm.

"You'll do fine, Dan" he said, his hand lingering on my arm. "Or you'll monumentally screw this up, honestly it could go either way" I batted his hand away.

"Fuck off" I grumbled. He grinned and dashed off, leaving me alone. I adjusted the crown on my head and fiddled with the buttons on my sleeve. I heard the crowd grow quiet as someone started talking. I waited until I heard my name and then I stepped towards the staircase. I grabbed onto the railing and slipped my 'Prince act' on. I squared my shoulders and plastered my most charming smile on, and began to make my way down the stairs. My eyes danced around the room and as I reached the floor. There were so many girls here dressed in their best. Their dresses were colorful, and beautiful. I watched as they fixed their hair and smoothed their skirts in the hopes that I would notice them. I resisted the urge to yawn. This was all so boring to me. I didn't understand how people enjoyed all this.

I continued to scan the crowd while I walked across the room. I had to walk over to where my parents were sitting. I stopped in my tracks when my eyes landed on a person who stood out among the people. I couldn't tell why my eyes were drawn to him, just that I couldn't look away. I realized that everyone was looking at me, now that I had stopped, and I yelled at myself to keep moving. The boy was taller than everyone in the room. He was probably as tall as me, and his fair skin was made him stand out even more. He was handsome, I had to admit, with his glowing blue eyes and raven hair. I stared at him until I reached the spot where my parents were sat.

"Daniel" I heard my mother say in front of me. I turned to look at her, and then back at the boy, but he had disappeared into the crowd. "Daniel" she whispered sharply. I blinked and turned to face everyone. I plastered the smile back on my face and clasped my hands in front of me.

"Now tonight is a special night for young Daniel here" my father said proudly. He put his hand on my shoulder as he spoke. "He is about to become a man-" my face felt hot. This was really embarrassing. "-and every man needs a woman. And there are so many beautiful women here to choose from. We are so honored for you all to be here with us tonight, and for those who came from so far away. I hope you all make the most of tonight, so without further ado... let us begin!" he bowed, and with that, the music started and the people started to mill around, socializing with one another.

"Go on" my mother pushed me forward gently. "Go meet your wife" she had tears in her eyes. They were both so proud of me. So proud of who they made me into. I clenched my fists and made my way to the people, but only made it a few steps when someone quickly moved in front of me. It was an older man with a young girl at his side. I was surprised that someone came up to talk to me until I realized why he did.

"Prince Daniel" he bowed. I nodded my head in greeting. "My name is James Donovan"

"Pleasure to meet you, sir" I said politely. The girl was eyeing me up and down. I cleared my throat and she blushed.

"This is my eligible daughter Madeline" she stepped around him and bowed, her elaborate dress swirling around her as she did. "She would be honored if you choose her as your wife" I kissed her hand, like I was taught to, and smiled.

"Would you care to dance?" I asked her. Her blue eyes lit up and she opened her mouth to answer.

"I-"

"She would love to!" Mr. Donovan interrupted her. She shot him a look and then turned back to me. I led her away to the dance floor. Madeline was an excellent dancer. I was as well, but only after years of dance practices. We danced and I spoke to her for a few minutes but she really didn't seem all that interesting to me. The whole time we were dancing I found myself looking around the room, searching for someone else.

After I politely said that it was nice to meet her, I moved on to another girl. The night seemed to drag on forever. My feet were sore from all of the dancing and I was starting to get a headache. I was so bored of this whole thing already. It was exhausting to have to have conversations with all off the girls, and to listen to the parents who sucked up to me. I tried my best to pay attention to who I talked to but it was hard. There were so many people and none of them stood out to me.

Then I saw him.