Chapter Four: The Deal

The horse ride back home was slightly peaceful. I was not able to relieve my stress from the morning's conversation on The Introductory. Why would a middle-class nation strive to become one of the high-class kingdoms conduct The Introductory? It is not like we are facing a problem where the solution would be to find a king from the high-class kingdoms. I am supposed to be "designed" to handle this on my own.

The guards salute me as I entered the palace gates. I can see Anna from the stables waiting patiently for my return. I appreciate having her around as she knows where and when to wait for me. She does not bother me at all with my activities and she knows to never cross the line. I appreciate that from her.

I slow Hera down as we near the stables and Oscar stands up along with Anna to meet me. I unmount from Hera and Oscar receives Hera. Anna meets me and smiles, "It is always good to see you back home safe but my God, let's tidy that bloody mess!"

"Thank you, Anna. As always, it is amazing to always have you around." Anna removes my cape and replaces it with a black wool coat. Exactly perfect for this cold evening.

"Dinner is in an hour. Would you like it served in your room?" She knows how my bad days would require my solace. She would offer to have my meal served in my quarters to harness time and space for myself. This time, I would rather approach and face things differently as a queen.

I shake my head, "No, thank you. I believe a little change will get me to figure things out too."

"Of course, Your Highness." Anna accompanies me to the garden where I appreciate a lot of the beauty and peace it gives me. I collect my thoughts and realize that I am starting to rid my anger on The Introductory. I try to rationalize what thoughts father has on the matter and what's in it for us.

It could possibly be because he wants new technological advancements in our kingdom. I shudder at the thought. Disappointment rises in me again as I recall how much he agreed that I will not marry against my will. It was never a part of the plan and now, it feels as if he is selling me to a deal with the high-class for technological advancements.

The maids wait patiently in my room to wash and dress me up in a black dress for dinner. Right after they dress me up, Anna waits by the door and smiles, "Dinner should be ready."

"I best be on my way, then." The maids do a finishing touch on my dress and put on my jewelry and crown. Royalty is crazy. You have to keep wearing a damned crown on your head and all the formalities are observed even in a simple dinner like this one.

I walk towards the banquet hall trying to lighten my mind off of things. I do not want to be thinking of the Introductory or whatever deal father might have on this marriage he just discussed. 

It seems father has found his place in the banquet hall already as I arrive. And as usual, Kael is nowhere to be found. How is the crown prince always late? "Good evening, father," I curtsy and find my way to my seat.

"Good evening, Aurora," he says.

Kael enters the hall a minute late. I sigh at his sight and ask, "Kael, where is John?"

"He is just outside my room, Aurora. Good evening Your Highnesses," Kael curtsies.

I signal for the butler and say, "Please call John. Thank you!"

The butler curtsies and exits the room as I wait patiently for John. John emerges in the banquet hall with a curtsy. "Good evening Your Highnesses. You have summoned for me, my Queen?"

"Yes, I have been seeing an issue with tardiness with Kael. Do you not have a clock or watch to stay on schedule with the palace's workarounds? Kael seems to be late a lot even at something as simple as a meal with the family. I wish that you address and attend to his schedule properly," I firmly say.

John's face turns bitter, "I do apologize, Your Highness. I promise to attend to his schedule accordingly."

"Dismissed," I sigh. He curtsies and leaves the room. If he will not keep up to my standards, there are a lot more qualified and willing to take his place.

Kael bows, "I'm sorry, Aurora. It is partly my fault for being so irresponsible about my schedule." He knows that his showing up late for dinner is making me upset in many ways. I know that I am far from perfect in many ways, but everyone knows how much I always try to strive for perfection in all aspects that I am in.

"You learn along the way, Kael," I give him an assuring smile. I know that in many ways he hates these types of family meals where he can be placed under the spotlight at any moment. It wrecks his mind and this explains why he shows up late. Kael is responsible and is very much passionate about the things he loves to do most. The only thing he is lacking would be the mindfulness of time.

The servants start to crowd the banquet hall with the dishes in their hands. They serve my favorite juicy steak, red wine, a slice of chocolate cake, and baked potatoes with chives. I stare at my plate for a second as Father says, "I know you are upset about the Introductory, Aurora, but could you at least give it a chance and consider it?"

Just like that, the appetite drains within me. I suddenly did not feel the juicy steak that I had always loved to feast on. Now, it looks like any other dry piece of meat. I continue to stare at my food and wish that I could simply walk away from dinner and forget we had this conversation.

"When I was a princess, you told me that I would have a different fate from others. That I would not need to marry when I become queen." I stare down at my food without putting up any eye contact with him.

Father sighs, "Won't you consider it at all? This is after all for the future of our nation. You are after all. the leader of this nation."

I get frustrated but I am left with nothing to say. I can feel my cheeks warming up but I hold myself back from talking about things beyond my control. He clearly set up this trap when I was princess. He knew that marrying is never part of my plans and the only way he can get me to agreeing to become queen is if he assures me that I won't have to marry. When he gained my trust, he went on and crowned me, and now, he takes back part of the deal.

"I will have to think about it. After all, you have not done your promise from when I was a princess," I shoot him a glare. I don't always do it, but I just can't stop the wrath and dismay within me. I felt so betrayed by my own father.

Dinner ended like a blur and father exits the Banquet Hall first leaving Kael and I to share eye contact. He sighs, "I'm sorry about The Introductory."

Kael is thoughtful and has a heart. Unlike me, he has more compassion towards those around him. "It's okay. It's not like there is anything we can do about it," I give him a reassuring smile just so he would stop worrying about me. He is all I have and he is the last person I would want to worry. We have each other's backs despite the differences we have in personality.

"Aurora, if you ever feel down and lost, your little-- well, not so little brother is always here for you," his smile is as reassuring as ever. I bounce a smile to match his.

We both stand up and walk our way out of the Banquet Hall. He walks with me to escort me to my room. I say, "Kael, no matter what happens, please continue to be as compassionate as you are towards the kingdom. That is all I ask of you."

"Of course, Aurora. You are saying that as if you do not know me at all."

"I do know you. I am just reminding you as I know I will not always be here for you or the people."