Royal Commoner (Erisol)

2: Protector

In the morning, I was awakened by my caretaker since birth. Her name was Kanaya. She was the kindest one to me in the palace.She took care of me when mother died. I noticed she had taken the scarf while I was sleeping and cleaned it up.

"I saw the Prince from the visiting family go out and get it as soon as you all finished dinner.." She spoke quietly as she began to dress me.

"Yeah.. He gavve it to me last night before bed. Thanks for wwashing it up.."

"It was no trouble at all." She smiled.
"You realize what's happening, don't you?"

"WWhat do you mean?"

She sighed and let out a small giggle. "Your eighteenth birthday. You are next in line now to take your father's place as King of the North. He's growing older... But, You must marry."

"Marriage?!"

She nodded, "Another reason why the family of the East is here. Your father told me to let you know that you are betrothed."

"You... You can't be serious.."

She stood up after dressing me, "I don't know much other than that, but you will be alright."

"But- I don't evven like any of them in a romantic wway! WWell.. Feferi.. She's cute but- and there's no wway I could like that boy!"

She chuckled. "You never know Eridan. You know I actually fell in love with a girl once.." She looked off to the side a little. "I thought I never would.. But it happened.. They're here until your birthday so you can get to know them better and personally. Maybe they might spark an interest.."

"Howw long havve I been betrothed?"
"Since your mother passed.."

I looked down and stared at the floor. She kissed my forehead, "Do not worry, things will be alright. Trust me.." She smiled and left the room quietly.

I'm... Betrothed?! Oh my god, why?!

Is it Feferi or Sollux? Most likely Feferi. Would my father even allow a same gendered marriage? But.. He was more accepting of many things when mother was here.. What if she made the whole betrothed thing?! Who am I betrothed to?!

I took a deep breath and walked out of my room, only to be knocked down to the floor.

"Ah!" I hit the ground with a large thud, with something heavy on top of me.

I looked up and saw Sollux.

"WWhat the- Get off of me!"

"Sorry!" He quickly got off me and I sat up.

"WWhat the hell are you doin'?"

"I'm sorry, I was chasing FF because she took something of mine!" He looked down the hall that Feferi was running down with something yellow in her hands.

"WWhat is it?"

"That's none of your business!"
"WWell I wwanna knoww!"

He shook his head and stood up, chasing after her, "Feferi! Please! Give it back!"

I watched him and her run off down the hall. Groaning, I stood up, dusting myself off.

"My prince, are you alright..?" I heard a voice ask me.

I turned and saw one of the Knights walking up to me, "Y-Yes.. Thank you.. I just got knocked dowwn. May I ask wwhat you're doing?" I asked the male with red eyes. They've never truly bothered me.

"Your father has requested me to see him at once. Something to do with your coming of age..?"
"Oh, carry on then David." I nodded to him.

He smiled at the use of his name and walked down the hall.I decided to go horseback riding after breakfast for the day, just to relax.Maybe I could go out into the town and explore? I haven't been outside the castle walls in a while..I quickly headed out to where the horses are kept, seeing the stable manager feed one of the horses a sugar cube.