MARRY ME, ADELAIDE

"Your highness, please! The king and queen will have our heads if you do not get up this instant!" a woman dressed in black and green begs a young man glued to the bed. He is either still enjoying his sleep or feels the need for these women in his room to leave. A large bouncy bed sits in the middle of the room. To the left is a large window with a large wooden closet, to the side. It is filled with the most expensive shoes and clothes the women in the room could only dream of. Gold and silver jewelry sits on the dresser by the other side of the window. A few feet in front of the bed are well-furnished chairs surrounding a table. The deep green colored cloth dressing the table, adds to its aesthetic value. By the opposite end of the room, behind the divider is a golden tub. To think that all these belong to just one person in this time and age is mind-blowing, but deep down, Prince Nicholas wants none of it. The well-polished, door barges open, all the maids bow immediately, their hearts pounding so hard, it seems their ears might explode. In walks a woman in her late forties, the fabric she's wearing, one of the most expensive, and sewn to perfection. Her high cheekbones and round eyes demand authority, everywhere she goes. The light wrinkles on her face are as good as invisible until you look at her closely. A beauty that does not look a day over forty. Her brunette hair is pulled up into a bun, the shiny gold crown on her head, giving her status away. "Son, you shall not embarrass us again! The Princess of Kusher is here," she says, tapping her son's back. The young man finally turns to her upon hearing the sniffles from her crocodile tears, he better just get this over with. "I'm up mother," his hoarse voice lacking flavor. The queen smiles, dabbing her eyes with her handkerchief as she watches her son, heading to the tub. "I promise that Princess Cara is certainly the one for you," she says tracing his steps. The prince turns around, his eyes meeting hers in disdain. "Oh don't give me that look! Hurry and come, everyone is waiting for you," she smiles again, before heading towards the door. She stops in her tracks, turning her head towards the maids that are still bowing their heads. "It seems you have, yet again, failed in your duties. Shall I have your heads removed?" her voice, a clear contrast from before. "Mother!" Nicholas calls, in annoyance, from the tub. "I was only joking, my love!" she coos, glaring at them before heading out of the room. An hour later, the prince is ready. He looks at his reflection in the mirror, trying to fix his face, this mask he wears in this castle is such a burden. "You look amazing, your highness," one of the women says, bringing him out of his thoughts. "Thank you, Maria, I appreciate it." Nicholas takes one last look at his appearance, he does look a bit approachable, and even though his mind is everywhere but the event he's to attend, he goes out the doors anyway because he has something to look forward to. "Announcing His Royal Highness, Prince Nicholas, of Amaris, heir to the throne of Amaris, the second born and only son of King Alexander and Queen Mira of Amaris" "Such an irrelevant introduction," he mutters to himself before wearing his mask, a smile plastered on his face. The large doors to the throne room are opened and he walks in, straight to the middle where a young lady is standing. Her light blue dress and dolled up blonde hair seem so uncomfortable for her, but she stands upright, nevertheless. The prince takes her hand, placing a kiss on it. "I apologize for the wait, princess" "No problem at all your highness. It was worth the wait," she smiles, as she admires his piercing silver eyes, and embellished dark blue tunic and trousers. His brunette hair is styled to perfection, and his dimples add to his heartthrob smile. He turns around looking at his father and mother sitting on the gold seats that are three steps above the ground he's standing on. Ignoring the glare from the old man, he moves to stand beside his father, on the first step. "Prince Nicholas, as you know, Princess Cara has been trained since she was a baby to suit any man, from a royal background," the steward of Kusher says with pride. "Is that so? That must have been hard," he comments. "Not at all, your highness. I always knew I was going to marry someone of royal background. It is only fitting that I train for that all my life," she answers with a smile. "How old are you?" he asks "I am nineteen your highness...and I already know your age," she blushes. Nicholas arches an eyebrow at her, "Is that so?" "Yes. You're twenty-five." "I see. Is there anything else you know?" "Nicholas," the queen says in a cautioning tone, but he doesn't spare her a glance, his eyes still on Princess Cara. "I'm afraid I don't understand your question, your highness," she frowns a bit, in confusion. "You said you've been trained all your life to marry someone of royal status correct?" "Yes, your highness" "That is all you know correct?" "Yes, your highness" "Very well. I encourage you to meet other suitors that might be interested in marrying someone that has lived her life training to be the perfect spouse because I am not one of them. Apologies for taking your time" "Prince Nicholas!" the king roars in anger, but his son just bows to them. "I'll be back for dinner," the expressionless look on his face, shows there's no arguing with him. He walks out of the room, and down the golden themed hall, making a sharp turn going down the staircase, heading into the kitchen. Maids and servants greet him as he exits the kitchen from the back door, heading down the rose hill, finally reaching the stables. "Good day Eli!" Nicholas greets the old man in a brown jumpsuit backing him. The man turns, a smile forming on his wrinkled face as he sees Nicholas, "Your highness. It is so good to see you today," he bows. "Oh stop with all that!" Nicholas walks up to him, embracing him, a smile on his face. "I am filthy, your highness. I do not want to stain your attire." The prince breaks the hug, looking at his outfit. His clothes are ripped and stained with dung and manure, the sole of his boots are also coming off. "Then I'll make sure to get new sets for you when I am out," he assures before walking past him, going up to his horse. "That won't be necessary your highness, you've done so much already," he says, following him to his colt. "You know that has never stopped me," Nicholas grabs the brown cloak, hanging there, before mounting his horse. "See you later Eli," he waves, before galloping away on a brown stallion. The old man chuckles waving at him. "A fine man indeed," he says to himself. Nicholas gallops through the streets of Amaris, passing through the beautiful terrace and buildings before entering a forest, using that pathway to arrive at his destination undetected. He stops almost in the middle of the forest, tying his horse to a tree. "I'll be back Lady," he says to the horse, dropping a few large carrots on the ground. The prince goes deeper into the forest, finding a hill, and going down. He walks on until he sees a stream in sight. Yes, there is something he was looking forward to. By the stream sits a young lady, her strawberry blonde hair is tied in a messy bun, and the dress she's wearing has patches all over that have been sewn back up countless times. Her feet are scaly and marred with bruises, but her porcelain skin is still radiant beneath all the scars. The young beauty is humming quietly as she washes the mountain of clothes beside her. The sound of twigs and leaves being crushed grabs her attention. She turns immediately, her deep-set eyes widen as she's shocked by her unexpected visitor. Nicholas's mask is gone, a genuine smile on his face as he calls her name. "Adelaide."