The Royal Arrangement

Chapter 1

Hi guys! a quick thing before you read on. Please do not steal my work, I have worked hard to make this better than my other story.

DISCLAMER: I do not in any way condone the way the king acts or speaks, especially to the women. I am a very strong feminist so it is difficult for me to write his character without flinching. If you have read this comment 'always' next to this :)

2/10/2018 (1574 words)

Lorenzo's POV

''Lorenzo, where are you? Your father needs you in his study.''

I closed my book and got out of my chair in my safe haven, the palace library. I looked around it properly for the first time in a while, I saw the intricate details in the pillars that were stationed around the room, as if guarding the contents of the area. I saw the thousands and thousands of books that lined the walls. Some were leather-bound, and some were newer paperbacks, we had a range of books that ranged from non-fiction books about war and politics to Harry Potter.

I let out a sigh and walked out of the room, I headed up the winding stairs to where my father's office was. When I reached the top, I made my down the hallway to the last and most grand door. Engraved upon it were the words 'His Royal Majesty the King'. I nodded to the guards stood either side the doors and they went inside to announce my arrival. It was stupid really, I could easily just knock on the door myself and walk in without all this trivial nonsense, but no. My father insisted on grandeur to show 'wealth and power'. I had always thought it was completely pathetic, he is completely pathetic. The guards left the room and held the door open for me. I nodded my head in thanks and walked forward to the middle of the room.

My father was sat behind a grand desk, papers strewn around on top of it. Pictures of my father with diplomats and leaders of other countries decorated the table. There were none of his family, my mother, my siblings and I were merely people he lived with most of the time. The only times he had shown any fatherly affection towards me was my official crowning ceremony as the Prince of Gordova.

I knew why I was here, and I knew that there was no way of getting out of it. All my ancestors had been through the same process. Though I believe it is outdated, and I hate that it is now happening to me, I must say that it works effectively. Every member of my family has taken part in an arranged marriage. Now you may think that it is like those from other kingdoms, but they are not. These marriages are not arranged to keep nobility on the throne, on the contrary, most couplings have been to a commoner. It makes the people feel as if they have a voice in the palace, that they are being heard. What they don't know is that their king as a misogynistic bastard. My mother is an incredible woman, and how she puts up with him I don't know. He never talks to her as if they are equals, she is always in the wrong according to him, and he is of the opinion that he is never wrong, that just because he is the king he can do as he wishes. I have seen his whores going to and from his chambers, he even gave my mother her own rooms because he does not care for her. For him their marriage is one for show and so that he could have an heir. My grandfather isn't like my father, he is a free-spirited man who treated my grandmother like the queen she was. They were lucky, they fell in love not long after their wedding. That is another thing, I will not meet my betrothed until I see her walk down the aisle.

I moved my eyes up to meet my father's, only to find them burning into my own.

''George, you know why you are here.'' He paused, waiting for me to make a move of acknowledgement or to answer him. I grimaced, he always called me by my middle name. It is a tradition for the queen to name the children as she carried them, but my father made sure to put his name on my birth certificate. I made no move of acknowledgement, my face remained stone cold. He sighed but continued on, with what no doubt would be a long speech.

''Your marriage is coming up soon, and we have finalised who your bride will be. Her name is Ariana Willcombe, the rest is in the file you will be given later on.'' He said in a disdainful voice. ''Now, you must know your responsibilities as a husband, and soon to be king. One thing is to be clear, NEVER, and I repeat NEVER let her weasel her way into a position of real power. Women have no idea how to handle proper responsibility and will make this kingdom fall should she ever try.''

My mother shifted uncomfortably were she stood at the side of the room, but my father continued.

''You must make it clear to her that her purpose here is to give you heirs and to raise those heirs. I have heard that the girl is stubborn and has a tendency to defy people of authority, you must make sure to squash this out of her, she must submit to you in order to be a good wife.''

I clenched my fists. How could this thing be called a man and be admired by millions? He was pathetic, and I knew that my mother deserved much better than him.

''Do you understand me George? You have to make it clear to her from the beginning. YOU ARE IN CHARGE. YOU OWN HER.'' He spoke to me as if I was a child, loudly and slowly, breaking down each word.

I took a deep breath, remembering what my councillor  had said. 'Take deep breaths, take yourself away from the situation, mentally or physically. Make sure you do not fight back.'

''You may leave.'' He said in a dismissive tone. I glanced over to my mother, who was staring at the floor, fiddling with her fingers.

I turned and hurried from the room, making my way back to the library, ready to submerge myself in another world, a world where infuriating fathers didn't exist, where I didn't have to marry a stranger, where I wasn't the prince.

Two hours later, my peace was interrupted by a knock at the door.

''Come in.'' A servant entered with a file in his hands.

''Sir, this is the information on your betrothed.'' I looked at the papers he was holding out. I really did not want to take them, but yet I felt as if I had to, I wanted to know about her.

''Thank you.'' I said, taking it from his shaking hands. He must be a new employee; most people know that I am nothing like my father, nothing to be scared of. I may have a temper, but I don't take it out on other people like my father does. He bowed and quickly left the room.

I sat there, looking at the file that now lay in my hands. Without taking another moment, I opened it.

Royal marriage arrangement: Bride's Profile

Name: Ariana Elizabeth Willcombe

Age: 18

Birthday: 10th February

Parents: Elizabeth (deceased) and Michael Willcombe

Lucia Willcombe (stepmother)

Siblings: Julia Willcombe (age 23), Maxwell Willcombe (commonly known as Max) (age 20), Lucy Evanstine (step-sister) (age 18), Hansen Willcombe (half-brother) (age 16)

Friends: Holly Mills (age 18), Toby Johnson (age 19), Gemma Wilson (age 19)

Extra curriculars: Photography, Singing lessons, History clubs, Volunteering for charities, Political debate, Babysitting, Piano lessons.

I flicked through the other pages, they included things like criminal history (there was nothing there), schooling grades, things people had said about her, and some copies of certificates she had received and pictures of awards she had won, she seemed very clever and well rounded. But there was no picture of her. In some of the images of her awards there appeared to be someone holding them, but that person had been cropped out. I guess I won't know what she looks like until our wedding. One thing I saw in her extra curriculars, was Political debate. Did my father know about that? or had that been kept from him? Surely he would never let me marry someone who was involved and had strong opinions on politics? I held on to that thought as I stood up and walked to my room. She seems like a good person on paper, but what is she like in real life? Is she nice? Is she after a powerful position? Is that why she agreed to this? What does she look like?

These thoughts swirled around my mind as I readied myself for bed. I climbed under the covers, putting a border between me and world. As I closed my eyes, the silhouette of a girl floated around my head. With that, I drifted off to sleep to unknown girls, crowns, books and children invading my dreams.

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Beth xxx