The young king

I knew. Somehow, I knew that when my father, King Zacharia Anderson of Arastoinia, fell ill, that whatever sickness or afliction it was that had ahold of him, going to be the end of him. My father insisted that I have nothing to do with anything related to being a king untill I was much older, at least 21, and I pleaded with Father to teach me the ways or to at least point me in a good direction because I was worried about his fate when he became sick. All he did was laugh, shrug it off, and tell me that my fear of his fate was misplaced. My fears were realized when my royal assistant and personal adviser, appointed to me by Father, James Williams Smith, woke me late last night to inform me of my father's passing. As James awoke me, he called me "my king" instead of "my prince" like he always did, and I knew right away what had happened. I knew, and I've never been hit harder by anything. Now, as I sit upon my throne, with tear filled eyes, I can't help but wonder what is going to come next. James has taken it upon himself to tell the royally appointed town cryers to spread word across the kingdom of my father's passing and that I would be taking over immediately. I can only hope that that goes well. The throne room door swings open, and I flinch. James, who was sitting beside me, jumped to his feet and reached for his sword. A familiar face became visible as the door opens wider and wider. Those beautiful baby blue eyes, the freckles that covered her face, and that wavy hair as red as her fiery passion. It was Rosalie, a peasant child that I had fallen for when we first saw one another when we were both 12. Apparently, she, too, had fallen for me in pretty much the same manor. I recognized her immediately. I can only guess that James recognized her too almost as quickly because when I looked over to stop him, he had already stopped drawing his sword at its half way mark, and was slowly returning it into it's sheath. Not that James would have been able to do much of anything to Rosalie anyway. My sweet Rosey may have been born a peasant, but underestimating her has been the downfall of many jealous teenagers. She was just as much a warrior of honorable repute as the knights who make up the castle's guards. And twice as aggressive. As I stand up, we walk toward each other. Rosalie is the only one besides James that is, who has ever seen me in any state of vulnerability. and that's a part of what makes me so comfortable with her around her. she places a comforting hand on my shoulders as we come close enough. "Timmy, I just heard about your father. how are you holding up?" Rosalie asks, the fear and concern in her voice as genuine as the green grass. I barely manage to get out a shaky 'I'll be fine' as she pulls me in for a hug, presumably to assure me that everything was going to be alright. Timmy. my name is Timothy, but thanks to Father, everyone seems to know me as Rex. Rosalie was, and continues to be, for that matter, the only one who calls me Timmy. "I'm just not sure what to do," I say as we pull apart. "Timmy, whatever happens, you know that I'm right here at your side, right?" she asked. I nodded. Rosalie and I have been together pretty much since we were twelve and tied the knot last December shortly after our 17th birthday. Ironically enough, not only are Rosalie and I the same age, but we were both born on the same day, just a measly fifteen minutes apart. James nervously cleared his throat behind me, almost as if he wanted to say something but wasn't sure if now was the appropriate time. "Woops, I forgot just that quickly that he was here," Rosalie said in a hushed whisper to me. We turned to face James. "Something on your mind?" I ask as he nervously tries to readjust his composer. James let out a real nervous chuckle as if I somehow embarrassed him. "I, uh, was just, uh..." he took a deep breath staring at the floor, then raised his head to meet my curious gaze. "My lord, I was wondering if now would be an appropriate time for someone to have a queens throne installed into the throne room for..." he tilted his head in Rosalie's direction. "After all, sire, I was present when the two of you married last year." I turned to Rosey with a questioning expression, and she must have read my thoughts because she nodded, smiling. "Yes, now would be a great time," she said. The three of us made our way to the royal balcony, which was positioned behind the throne of the king. behind what is now my throne. James, slightly bolder now asked, "Ma'am, are you sure you're ready for that kind of publicity?" Rosalie made it clear to James years ago that he didn't have to, and shouldn't hesitate to ask any questions he felt were important. No matter how informal those questions may be. It was clear to me, to all three of us, for that matter, this was one of them. Rosalie was fairly big on not spreading any personal information that didn't have to be shared, but knowing what James was referring to, she nodded and said, "Absolutely. Zacharia's untimely demise to natural cause has solidified Timmy's status as king and, by its extension, my status as queen." I smiled as James opened up the doors to the royal balcony. I caught sight of James smiling as well. He and I both knew that Rosalie had a certain way with words. the way that was almost...poetic. "After all Timmy, " she added, "your grandfather once said that every great kingdom needs a king to lead it, and that king, a strong queen by his side." James let out a sigh as if recollecting something he had long hoped to forget. "Out of all the dumb crap that came out of King Lucious' mouth during his reign, he was on to something when he said that." Rosalie and I both shot each other the same look. James had said it so casually as if he were around when Grandfather ruled Arastoinia. "James?" I said curiosity rising up from deep within. "Is there something you want to tell us?" James looked at us confused. "Sire, I'm not entirely sure I understand," he responded. His confusion was genuine. "You said that as if you were there," Rosalie remarked. Now, James was really confused. "Did King Zacharia not tell you?" he asked. now, it was time for Rosalie and I to be confused. "Tell us what?" I asked. I then added, "and speak freely. as of right now, I am giving you permission to speak to Rosalie and I as if you're talking to your best friend." "In fact, we encourage it," Rosalie commented clearly on board with my thoughts. James nodded and said "I guess it's time someone told you." He leaned on the railing of the balcony staring out at the horizon. "Back when Arastoinia was first founded, with the rule of King Maxamilious Artamilious, just over five thousand years ago, I was cursed with immortality during a freak of a chance encounter with a practitioner of black magic" Rosalie and I turned to each other slowly realizing that we may or may not have just opened up a can of worms. James said "but those were different times." Rosalie and I both nodded."Right, so, Rex, um, the generals who served under your father have requested a meeting with you. there are some things you need to be filled in on." I could tell he wasn't used to it and probably never would get used to it. but I simply asked, "Would right after lunch be a good time?"