The Royal Love Triangle

5: A Not So Typical Day

Gabe’s POV

It was another typical day around the castle. My schedule was full of meetings, hand shakings and public appearances. This coming Thursday was going to be my 27th birthday. Now the law of my country clearly states that I must be married before the age of 28 or I forfeit my crown. How was I going to possibly to do that? Not only do I have to meet that person but fall in love and get married in less than a year. Is that even possible?

The last two years of my life have been filled with blind dates with princesses from all over, balls and galas to help me find the right person. Did I mention all the not so subtle pressures I’ve been getting from my mother about giving her grandbabies? Most of the people I went to school with had already settled down and have a kid or two. Maybe I wasn’t meant to be with someone.

I was once told that I had arranged to be married once I had turned 24. That’s when that princess was to turn 18. However, once I had turned 24 and my parents contacted hers, they put a hold the marriage. They finally admitted that their princess had been kidnapped several years ago and they have been looking for her ever since. The marriage was arranged by our great, great ancestors. It was about some sort of treaty, I think. Why should we have to honor it now?

To be completely honest, the thought of being betrothed to someone I don’t even know is weird. Everyone deserves to find true love. Now, I know what you’re thinking, why do I care about true love? I think it’s a right. I shouldn’t be forced into a marriage. No one should. Besides, everyone is still obsessing over this princess when no one knows where she is. Even if they did find her, what makes them think that she would even want to be a princess?

The age gap doesn’t really bother me. It’s the fact that I didn’t get to choose her. What if I didn’t really love her? What if I did? But I can’t be expected, nor could she, to be married to someone we weren’t happy with. Not to mention the fact that this princess had vanished over night and no one knew where she was or who had her. When people think princes and princesses, they think of fairy tales and happy endings. I can honestly say, its everything but that. It’s a lot more complicated than that. My family is all about being in the spot light, you know, being seen as the picture perfect family.

I was pulled from my day dreaming when was placed on my shoulder. “Prince Gabriel? Is everything alright? Your highness?” I looked over my shoulder to see one of my personal assistants, Andrew, and give him the best reassuring smile I could. He gave me a small nod and continued back to his seat. “As I was saying, your birthday is coming up fast, your highness. The king and queen are expecting you to sort this out and start dating someone immediately. There will be several available young women at your birthday ball. I know there is still the matter if the missing Bohon princess. If you wish to keep your crown, you’re going to need to figure out something and make it happen soon. There’s going to be less than a year to make this happen. You know how Queen Allison can be when planning such things…”

I could feel my face growing warm as I looked around the room and saw several pairs of eyes on me. “I understand all of this, Andrew. I’ve assured my mother and father that things will all get sorted out. The Bohon’s have agreed to void the marriage and keep the treaty, if the princess is not found by my 27th birthday. As you all know, I have been instructed by my father to wait until then to make any decisions. Marrying the princess had been arranged by our great ancestors. You know just as well as I do, we cannot just void this treaty. This meeting is now dismissed. Thank you all for coming on such short notice.”

Just then, one of they royal messengers came rushing into the room. He looked at me, his eyes filled with panic, and bowed quickly. “Your highness.” He said quietly before whispering in Andrew’s ear. I could see his eyes grow wide and he froze. Andrew turned his gaze towards me. I could still feel the eyes of everyone else in the room were still on me.

“And you’re absolutely sure about this? There is no room for error in this…” His voice trailed off as the messenger nodded his head quickly. Andrew gave the messenger a dismissive nod. With that he turned to me and bowed quickly before scurrying out of the room. The door shut quietly, and the room was silent. “Your highness, the missing princess has been found. We have it under good authority that she will be arriving to her home country before your birthday gala. Everyone, our meeting is now closed. You’re all dismissed.” Andrew turned and looked at me as everyone left the room. He glanced over his shoulder to make sure that everyone had left the room before speaking. “Princess Callie Marie Bohon, sir.”

“Excuse me?” I said a little confused. He moved to the closest seat next to me.

“Princess Callie Marie. Her name, your highness. I assumed you wanted to know her name.” He gave me a weak smile and got up to walk out of the room.

“Princess Callie. Andrew?” I said before he could leave the room. “Thank you.” I say and give him a weak smile. Once Andrew had left, it was just me and my thoughts. I guess this is really going to happen. I’m finally going to be meeting the woman that I’ve been told my entire life that I’d be marrying. Things felt so very surreal. Maybe this was fate and maybe, just maybe, this could work out. Just then, there was a knock on the door interrupting my thoughts.

Andrew stuck his head in the door. He looked around the room quickly before entering and shut the door behind him. “Your highness. I’ve just been made aware that Princess Callie’s best friend will be joining her. Miss Tessa is her name. The princess has assured the Bohon’s assistant that she wouldn’t be returning if Miss Tessa couldn’t accompany her.” I gave a quick nod. With that, Andrew left again.