My family has always people done things for us; from nursery maids, to personal butlers and ladies in waiting. You may wonder why I am saying these things but would you believe me if I will tell you that I am a prince. My name is Nicolas, the only heir and prince from the Russian royal family. Why the only heir? Well, my mother is the queen and sadly my father died when I was 13 years old. He died because of a car crash. It was sad but life must go on, my mother taught me everything from simple table manners to running the country.
"Prince Nicolas, your mother is waiting for you at the gazebo." Jack my personal butler said to me getting my attention as I was quietly reading at the corner of our huge library. I closed the book as I was reading and slowly got up fixing my waistcoat. I put the book back at the table and started walking towards the door. "Does my mother sound urgent?" I asked Jack as I put my hand on my pants pocket, "I'm not sure; one of her ladies in waiting just said it to me before we went out." He said as we were walking towards the door to go to the garden. When we got to the door, the guards opened it and sun rays were blinding my eyes for a mere second before walking again towards the gazebo where I saw my mother having her tea and crumpets. "You wanted to see me mother," I said to her making her put the tea down as she got up to kiss my cheek. "Come let's sit first then we will talk," she held my hand as we sat down. She sounds so excited and yet why am I feeling nervous? We sat down and my mother poured me some tea. I smell something fishy, "Mother, is there something you want to tell me?" I asked as she put her teacup down, she cleared her throat and looked me straight in the eye. "My son, you are already 21 years old and I think it is time you choose your bride and produce an heir." She held my trembling hand; I was shocked on my mother's statement. "Mother don't you think it's a little too soon?" I asked her but all she could do is laugh. I looked at her confused at her reaction, "My dear Nicolas, I will not be here all the time. I want to see you be happy and see my grandkids running at the palace halls and here at the garden. I want you to choose a bride. Which is why I am arranging a ball that will be held the day after tomorrow?" I was shocked at her statement and all I could was stand and look away at her. I can hear her snickering behind as I was contemplating on what she has said. Well, I am already in a legal age to get married. But it is too soon to get married. I only have approximately 3 days to get ready and choose a bride. I faced my mother after thinking and kneeled down in front of her. "Mother do I have to choose a bride that also has a royal breeding? I mean, I don't want to choose a bride just for the sake of getting married. I want to choose a bride by falling in love, like you were with father." I explained to her as I was holding her hand, she smiled unto what I have said. "Alright then," she then kissed my forehead and motioned me to go back to whatever I was doing back at the palace.
I went back to the library with Jack following me from behind. I stopped as I loosen my cuff links and looked back at my butler, "Yes sir? Do you want me to help you with that?" he asked as I was loosening my cuff links, I just shook my head and fixed my sleeves folding it up to my lower elbow. "Do I look normal Jack? Tell me do you think a simple lady will fall in love for who I am and not for what I am?" he looked at me confused and just scanned me from head to toe. "Sir, you are a prince, who wouldn't fall head over heels for you?" I looked down disappointed, they just want me for my crown not because I am a man. I turned around and continued walking towards the library. I grabbed the book that I was ready earlier and went back to the same spot I was reading. I am reading Romeo and Juliet and I was reading the balcony part of the novel.
"Oh Romeo, Romeo
Where for art thou, Romeo?
Deny thy father and refuse thy name
Or if thou wilt not, but be sworn my love, and I will no longer be a Capulet."
Both of them in love but separated through name and by a feud. And then it hit me, what if the woman that I fell in love with will be different, so different from what I am? Would she be afraid of my status? Would she be able to love me for who I am and not for what I am? I was in deep thought when my butler cleared his throat and got my attention. "Sir, your mother has given you a list of all the eligible women here in the kingdom." I closed my book and placed it beside me; he showed me a scroll that was secured with a ribbon. I took it and he went back to the door. I untied the ribbon and opened the scroll, and I was shocked to see that the scrolled rolled down up to floor a feet after the tip of my shoes. I chuckled at what my mother has done. I scanned the scroll only to see a list for about 150 – 200 women. My mother sure knows her subjects. I scrolled back the paper and secured it again and took my book and read again.
