ChapterThree: Divided ByClass
1135 Words
Troy had never felt more uncertain. Standing before the window of his chamber, he stared at the kingdom below. The lights from the houses shone like tiny stars across the land his ancestors had ruled for generations.
He would one day inherit this kingdom. People saw the wealth and respect but didn’t see the weight. He was termed fortunate.
He hadn’t spoken with his parents after Jenny left a couple of minutes ago. He had asked to invite Jenny to the palace for his parents to meet the woman of his dreams. His mother agreed but had her mind fixed on Henrietta.
A knock interrupted his thoughts.
“Come in,” he answered.
Melvin, his personal guard, opened the door and stepped in.
“Your Highness, your father wants to see you in the council room.”
“Is it about the marriage discussion?”
Mark hesitated.
“I think so.”
Conversations in the palace have become centered on marriage. His dreams and plans didn’t seem to matter. The woman he loved didn’t matter much. Their major concern was the woman they wanted him to marry.
Troy entered the quiet council room. His father, King Greg, sat at the head of the table. Queen Mildred sat beside him, her expression calm but determined.
“Troy,” the king greeted.
"Father," he replied, taking his seat.
“You know why we called you here,” Queen Mildred said, looking at him carefully.
“I should be allowed to choose my wife,” he said emphatically, folding his hands.
“You speak as though this is a simple choice,” the queen replied, tightening her expression.
“Should it not be?”
“No.”
Her answer was quick.
“You are choosing not only a wife but also the future queen of this kingdom.”
“But the future queen should be someone with kindness and wisdom.”
“She should be someone who understands the crown.”
Troy looked at her.
“Mother, Jenny understands people and has compassion.”
The queen sighed.
“My son, don’t be blinded by affection.”
King Greg looked at them.
“Enough.”
His voice, though not loud, carried authority.
“You both speak from different perspectives: Mildred as a queen and Troy as a man.”
“What’s your perspective, Father?” Troy asked.
The king looked at him.
“I want to speak from the viewpoint of a man who knows that both sides carry truth.”
Troy expected this answer from his father. Though it was balanced and careful, it was not enough.
The queen stood.
“Henrietta will be coming next week. You’ll need to spend enough time with her so that you get to know her more."
“I already know enough,” Troy answered, looking at her.
“You only know what you have chosen to believe.”
.
Mother and son looked at each other for a moment.
“May I leave?” Troy asked, bowing slightly.
The king nodded, and Troy walked away.
The moment he entered his chamber, he closed the door and leaned against it.
He felt trapped by expectations, especially the choice of a spouse.
He glanced at the small wooden box on his table. A simple bracelet Jenny made was inside.
It was priceless to him, though it was nothing worthy of a royal treasure box.
“You should not give me something so simple,” he had teased the day she gave it to him.
“Why?” She asked, smiling.
“Because a prince is expected to receive gold and expensive jewels.”
“And do those things make you the person you should be?”
He had laughed.
“No.”
“Then maybe something simple is more valuable.”
He had treasured her words in his heart. Now he wondered if he could keep his promise to her.
***********************
That evening, Troy left the palace after disguising himself.
He needed to see Jenny. He needed to see her just as Troy, not as a king or a future king.
Jenny was outside her home, watering flowers.
She looked up when she saw him. She motioned for them to get into the house.
“You came.”
He stepped inside. The warmth of her home immediately surrounded him. Though the palace was beautiful, her home felt alive.
“Did you speak with your parents?” she asked, studying him with bright, curious eyes.
He nodded.
“My mother still insists I get married to Lady Henrietta.”
“That should be the perfect choice for you,” Jenny murmured, her eyes downcast.
“No.”
“She is noble and accepted by most people.”
“Yes.”
“Beautiful.”
“Yes.”
Troy stepped closer.
“But she is not you,” he replied disappointedly.
Jenny looked at him.
“You cannot fight your family for me.”
“Why not?”
“I do not want to come between you and your family.”
He looked away.
Jenny was quiet. After a moment, she spoke.
“Troy, even though I love you, I would not want to destroy your bond with your family."
His heart stopped. She rarely spoke about loving him.
“I would prefer to build my life than live one chosen by others.”
She shook her head.
“You could lose your crown and position.”
He paused.
“Yes.”
Jenny touched his hand.
“And that scares you.”
“A little,” he admitted weakly.
She was a little taken aback by his honesty. For the first time, she saw a man, not the prince.
**************************
The king was waiting for Troy when he returned to the palace later that night.
“You visited her,” the king said.
Troy stopped.
“Yes.”
“Your mother will not give her consent, and this will make your life difficult.”
“I know.”
The king walked toward him.
“Then why continue?”
“Because every day I pretend I do not love her, I feel like I am betraying myself,” Troy replied with sadness in his eyes.
“Your grandfather once told me that a crown does not create a man’s character; it rather reveals it,” the king said softly.
Troy listened.
“Choose carefully, my son.”
When Troy returned to his room that night, he was no longer confused.
It was clear to him that the path ahead would not be easy. He knew his mother would resist and the nobles would raise eyebrows.
He understood that if a future king were too afraid to be honest with himself, he could not lead others.
“Jenny,” he whispered.
“I will figure something out.”
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