Shock of Love

Chapter 11...Meeting

High within the walls of the royal palace, King Robert’s voice echoed down the grand halls as he called out for his butler.

"Yes, Your Majesty," the butler answered promptly, appearing at the King's side.

"Where is Tyler?" King Robert demanded.

"Your Majesty, he is in the kitchen," the butler informed him.

Without missing a beat, the King issued his command. "Tell him that he should get dressed for an important meeting this afternoon."

"Yes, Your Highness," the butler replied, bowing deeply before walking away to fulfill his orders.

Down in the kitchen, the butler found the Crown Prince. "Young Master, your father is requesting you to prepare for a meeting."

"Yes, sure. I'll get ready soon," Tyler agreed, completely unaware of what awaited him.

Two hours later, Tyler walked down the grand staircase of the palace. "Father, I'm ready now," he called out. Internally, however, his mind was racing. I wonder what is so important to have an unscheduled meeting, he thought to himself. Sometimes I do wonder what my father is thinking. Still, he smoothed out his clothes, finding a small silver lining. At least I get to dress up a little today.

Before he could search the halls, the butler intercepted him. "Young Master, please join your father in the waiting room."

"Umm, sure. I'm on my way," Tyler said, changing his course and stepping into the designated room. "Father."

King Robert turned to face him, standing beside a young, teal-haired girl. "You're finally here. I would like you to meet someone. Miss Oon."

Tyler offered a polite, practiced smile. "Nice to meet you."

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Tyler," the girl replied brightly. She stepped forward with an air of easy confidence. "You can call me Luna, and can I call you Tyler?"

"Yes, of course you can, Luna," Tyler answered.

Luna smiled, waving off his stiff royal manners. "Remember this, you don't have to be so polite and formal with me."

"Sure thing, miss," Tyler replied, still clinging to a bit of formality.

King Robert cleared his throat, steering the conversation to the true purpose of the gathering. "Anyway, the reason I gathered you here today was to introduce you to your future wife, Luna Oon."

Tyler froze, the polite smile falling from his face. "My future what......." he stammered, his voice rising in disbelief. ".....WIFE?"

"Yes, Tyler, she is your beloved...." King Robert started, but Luna eagerly cut him off.

"FIANCÉ!" Luna cheered. "We're getting married this summer!"

Tyler's head spun. "Ah... when... um... was this decided?"

"You two are getting married this summer after your semester is over at Liberty High," King Robert stated, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Desperate to find a logical way out, Tyler grasped at straws. "But Father, what about continuing school next year? And my coming-of-age ceremony?"

"That ceremony is in October, Tyler," his father replied dismissively, outlining the timeline. "So you shall marry Luna in the summer, then when October comes, you will be having your coming-of-age ceremony."

"Don't worry about it, Tyler," Luna chimed in, already planning the grand event in her head. "Tyler, and for our wedding, I'm allowing commoners to attend! But don't worry, there will be a lot of guards protecting us."

As Luna prattled on about their forced summer nuptials and his father stood firm in his royal decree, Tyler fell silent. Surrounded by expectations and arranged futures, a single, painful thought echoed in his mind:

But I'm in love with a beautiful girl named Bloom... and not Luna.