A True Hero

3 - Fallen Kingdom

The dinner was finally over. Once Prince Diddimus had left me alone, I had to think about who I would choose. I only had ten minutes to decide. But all I could think about was the Star Warriors, Meta Knight, and the war waging within the universe, and why my father would call in the strongest, most skilled warriors. Was the war coming to us? Was our clan in trouble? Why was Meta Knight here? The thoughts rumbled on and on until Zac jerked me into reality.

"Nikki? Nicolette!! NICOLETTE!!" he shouted, making me jolt. "You need to focus on choosing one of...well....them!" He pointed to the waiting lobby where the princes were. "The kingdom's future and well-being rest in this decision!"

"Or it could rest with dad and the Star Warriors," I countered, gazing at the empty plates being carted away by servants. "Dad knew that I would be choosing a suitor today; I don't think he scheduled some meeting with them a while ago. I think he called them here for an emergency, and he's not telling us why."

"I guess, but for the sake of the 'now', please choose. If you ask me, Prince Bill was nice," Zac said, but I just shook my head.

"I'm not marrying any of those guys," I said, standing up and turning away.

"But Nikki, you don't have a choice," said Kyle.

"I know!!" I snapped, then sat back down and almost burst into tears. "How am I supposed to spend the rest of my life with somebody I don't know anything about?!!"

Just then, a knock sounded from the lobby where the princes waited. "May I come in?" said the strong, deep voice.

"One second," I answered, cleaning my face from tears and smoothing down the table before allowing the warrior to enter.

"I'm sorry to interrupt, but, uh..your father is currently busy and asked me to, um, call you out here, to..ahem..choose a..suitor?" Meta Knight asked, nervously poised in the doorway with his cape flowing around him.

"Oh...right..." I mumbled, standing and sighing. He motioned for me to follow him through the door and down the hallway. My brothers watched in confusion. I was also confused, although I tried not to show it. How could my father not be escorting me?? He knew how important this decision was, and instead of walking with me and comforting me himself, my father had sent a stranger to do it.

"I can tell you are not excited to see them again," Meta Knight said, walking in step with me. He must have interpreted my anxiety over my father as worry over the princes. Remembering them added to my stress.

"That's an understatement," I said, looking at every little crack in the palace walls. I slowed down. Meta Knight slowed down too.

"You know, they don't seem that bad," he said, trying to get me to feel hopeful.

"I don't know if I do know. I mean, I don't even know them. I just met all of them today. The only conversation I've ever had with them was a 20 minute one over dinner. And now I have to choose one to spend the rest of my life with and rule the kingdom, and I have to choose based off what they 'seem' like, not what they are like," I vented, angrily balling my fists in frustration and praying I wouldn't embarrass myself with my temper, which was extremely short.

"Well, that's how all relationships begin," he said gently. "You meet the person, and you decide if what they seem like is good or bad, and you begin to get to know them. Only through time can you really discern if what they seemed like is who they are."

"Right, and because of our stupid customs, time is what I don't have," I sighed as we arrived at the door.

"Whoever you choose I know will be good," he smiled, "because you 'seem' to have good judgment." He winked at me, then opened the door for me and allowed me to step inside. The room was huge, with windows looking out of the north side of the tower, giving a view of our entire kingdom.