A BRIDE FOR THE PRINCE

Duty Above All [II]

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A promise is a debt owed to someone. It can stretch out for days, weeks, months and years even. No matter what the debtor collects in the end.

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**ALEXANDER**

A few more moments through memory lane and Alexander was ready to leave his room. Asking for directions, he was stunned at the meeting place. It was usually the living room or the balcony but the throne room. That was off-limits to well everyone except on special occasions. At the end of the hallway laid the throne room. A sacred place as Alexander's mother referred to it. Kings were made in there and when she requested to meet him there, it tore him from the inside. He was only invited for a discussion twice in there. The first time, he became an official Prince of England and the second, he was given the talk. The normal talk for boys was about carelessly sleeping around and getting a girl pregnant but for the prince of England, it was about the Royal bloodline, the throne and its secession. He spent hours in there, seating in one spot and listen to a bull when he was barely legal. That did a number on his childhood. In the end, he found a way to toss it aside, live in the moment and live futuristic problems in the future.

Alexander was barely a teenager when he was presented with choices. He called it the catalogue. Wifely choices. He barely recognized the girls in the picture, most of them younger than him and others around his age. His parents calmly spoke to him, almost like it was normal. What was normal about your life being dictated before your very eyes? What was normal about seeing different girls? Princesses? What was normal about being told one of them could be your wife over a decade from now? He never saw the need, it tainted his mentality.

They informed him of their master plan. They couldn't live forever. Someday Alexander would be king and when that day came, he needed a bride. He needed a queen. That was how it had always been. It made him wonder if that was how his parents got together although they seemed very much in love.

Alexander took it as nothing more than child's play. He tossed it at the back of his mind but as the years passed, it became evident that their plan was coming into effect.

The guards directed him and bowed as he approached, he paid little respect to any of them. Shivers were striking down his spine at the thought of what awaits him. His parents wouldn't call him in here for rebellion. He didn't want to accept it, but he knew the reason why they requested his presence. Their master plan was about to take action. He knew this day would come, he just refused to acknowledge it. Not yet at least.

The doors were opened by the guard and his dad sat on the throne. Alexander's presence was immediately noticed. His parents hated their discussion and offered a warm smile. It barely calmed his nerves as he took a few steps into the room.

“Finally, coloured clothes.” The charming smile on his mother's face made him even more nervous.

“Take a seat, my son.” His father, stern as always was a tad calmer. Things were not good. However, he obeyed the king and went for a seat. The farthest one from the both of them.

“You're Twenty-Five years old. Two years younger than me when I became king. I know you hate history but sooner or later we have to come to terms with it. Your mother wanted to hold this off till next year but I'm sick of procrastination. I doubt you remember but when you were little we had a little lecture of duty.” He paused and I parted my lips to speak. Unlike others, I didn't wait before speaking regardless of my dad's position, he remained my dad in the end.

“I remember father.” He responded in a deep voice. Alexander crossed his arms having gotten the aura of seriousness.

“That's good Alexander. The time has come to enact your lesson. I hope I taught you well because that's as much as I can do. Teach. You will be King of England someday and I pray that you have the strength to be ten times the King I was. You have potentials, my son.”

“You're not writing a willing dad.”He loosened them a little and chuckled, his mom shot me a glare and he crossed them once more. It was back to being serious then.

“I brought you here for a simple reason. A King succeeds when he has prepared for quite a while and I want you to have so much time to get things ready. I'm not dying anytime soon. You're still too stupid to rule.” This time King Richard and Alexander shared a laugh and his mom glared at them both right before chuckling lightly.

“All jokes aside. We think it's time for you to get married, Alexander. You will need a queen to rule. I lasted this long because I had your mother and a queen is of utmost importance. Alexander, you need a bride.” King Richard sighed deeply after those words. There was silence in the throne room, everyone took a minute to digest what had been said. They all knew after this day, each of their lives would change forever.

**KING RICHARD**

King Richard paused and watched his son's expression. He knew this would be a bombshell as it was when his father announced it to him although he was two years older at that time. The old King saw himself in his son's eyes, he only prayed to have some more time to guide him. Alexander had a dazzling future. He hoped to live long enough to see it. He was an optimistic man who loved to prepare ahead of time, it was early for Alexander but he wanted his son to know everything. Fate was cruel, it could grab him at any time. He was a strong man, regardless he had to be extra cautious. The fate of the entire kingdom depended on it.

Alexander had not given a reply, he gazed at him and his mother simultaneously, from one to the other. He wished he was a mind reader, simply to get a glance into his son's soul.

“Son,” He called out calmly. This wasn't the time for rants. He needed to tread with great caution.

“Do you have someone in mind?” Alexander's response caught him by surprise. He halted with his parted lips them cleared his throat.

“Your mother and I were thinking of giving you a little space to get to know your options and then you can give us feedback in a week. We'll gladly hear them out. We want the best queen for you.” He responded emphasizing each word. His son's response stunned him. His mother anticipated an outburst and so did him. They were in the process of planning a second option when he arrived. He glanced at his wife, she shared in his surprise and he looked away making a mental note to discuss that with her later.

“May I leave now?” His son's voice brought him back to his reality. Blinking his eyes, he gave a small nod and the young lad got up, turned around then strode away. It was safe to say the world had gone mad because Alexander Richard just acted mature. Two things happened. It was either his son who decided to grow some balls and grow up or all hell was about to break loose and that was all just for show.

For everyone's sake, he squeezed his eyes shut and prayed for the first. He planned to mention the maid, he heard of Alexander's escapades but after that reaction, the zeal to speak departed from him. King Richard decided to take the win for what it was. After all, all he had was time. It would tell just how prepared Alexander was. Taking one more glance at his wife, he released a sigh of relief, washing his face overusing his palm. Things were about to change. Duty above all.

“Duty above all.” He muttered under his breath, stood up then strode out of the room.

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