An Unlikely Match

Third person pt of view     The sunlight through the window cast a rainbow of colors on Corine Grayson's wall as it filtered through the multi colored stain glass. As she looked out the window, Corine thought about all the mornings she had stood at this window wondering what wonderful things would happen to her throughout her life. This window had been a gift from her father to her mother when her parents had built this room to be Corine's nursery. She had looked out this window every year on her birthday and now she stood here again on her 18th.      The princess of Martinsdale was a beauty. Long, chestnut brown hair, deep green eyes and flawless ivory skin, all of the young men in the kingdom dreamt of taking her as their bride. Corine knew what was expected of her though. She had been told by her parents from the time she could remember that she would have to marry a prince, one of the princes in the neighboring realms. Marrying one of these men would allow Corine to rule Martinsdale as Queen and would combine her country with another, strengthening her lands and theirs. She had met all the princes that were options to be her mate and none of them intrigued her. She found them all boring. All they wanted to do was talk about the weather or trade agreements, how lucky she would be to get to rule by their side. Corine wanted nothing to do with any of them. As Corine stood there, she sighed. Now that she was an adult, she would have to make a decision in regards to her future and there wasn't anything she would rather do less.     "Good morning mother, father", Corine addressed her parents as she entered the dining hall and sat down at her place at the table. The food laid out before her looked amazing! She had requested pancakes, sausage and fruit, but the kitchen servants had gone overboard. As the only child of the monarchs, Corine had been given everything she ever wanted however Corine had grown up loving and sweet and all the servants in the castle loved her. They would do anything for her and that included making her birthday breakfasts more amazing every year. As Corine filled her plate with delightful goodies,  Sir Tyson Goddard entered the room. Sir Tyson had been her father's personal knight, best friend and confidant for decades and he would die before allowing anyone in this room to be hurt in any way.      "Tyson!" Marcus exclaimed as he stood to embrace his old friend. Tyson had been gone for a few days to retrieve his son from another kingdom where he had been sent to apprentice years ago. Tyson's son, Brayden Goddard, had left Martinsdale at the age of 14 to train under an amazing knight and improve his already impeccable skills. "Sit and eat with us! Tell us about your journey," Marcus encouraged as he sat down and continued his breakfast.      "I'm afraid I must decline, your highness", Tyson stated. "I have just come to advise you of our return and I must sleep for a bit before the ceremony later today." Corine waited to inquire about this information until Sir Tyson had taken his leave after conversing with her father for a few minutes.  "Ceremony?" Corine asked quietly. "Yes, ceremony. We will be having a knighting ceremony this afternoon to induct Grayson into the fold. You remember Brayden, don't you?" Marcus asked.     Remember? Of course she remembered. She and Brayden had grown up together due to how close their fathers had been. She had always seen him as an older brother and had annoyed him as much as any little sister would. He had left when she was 10 and she had missed him terribly at first, but after a while she would remember him fondly off and on but for the most part he really didn't cross her mind much. When she heard he was returning, she had been thrilled and looked forward to annoying him once again.     "Hello?" Marcus smiled at Corine lovingly. He could tell when Corine was daydreaming and knew that was what she had been doing just now.      "Oh, yes, I remember him", Corine replied. "I look forward to seeing him at the ceremony today."      "Also, I know you haven't forgotten about the ball in your honor for your birthday this evening?" Marcus inquired. He knew she had not forgotten and a day hadn't gone by in the last 6 months where Corine was not working on this event.      "No, I haven't forgotten," Corine answered. Tonight would be her debut, the day she announced to the world she was an adult and would begin to make the decision on whom she would marry from a list of worthy suitors. While she was excited for the ball, she still didn't want to get married right away. She wanted to wait and make sure she made the right decision. This might be the most important decision of her life and she wanted to make sure she got it right.     "I promise, this ceremony won't take away from your night tonight. We will keep it short and you will have plenty of time to make yourself beautiful. This night will be amazing and something you will remember forever. Maybe you will even make a decision on your future?" Marcus looked at his daughter. He knew it would be in the best interests of the kingdom for her to marry a prince and continue ruling Martinsdale once he couldn't any longer, but he hated that she would not be able to follow her heart. He knew she would be comfortable and she could be happy with that arrangement as long as she went into it knowing friendship is just as important as love.      "Father, I am going to enjoy my evening, but I am not making any decisions, at least not yet. I know this is the only thing you have ever asked of me, but today I am turning 18. I'm not ready to get married yet! I promise I will make my choice, but I need a little time to narrow down the candidates. Tonight will be a good start, but it is by no means the end." Corine was tired of talking about her future. She just wanted to enjoy her present!     Marcus and Katherine looked at each other. They knew pushing Corine would not end well. "Very well, please be ready at 2 o'clock for the knighting. I'm sure Grayson will be happy to see a friendly face," Katherine stated. Her daughter's happiness was paramount and she would not be responsible for ruining this day.