WE #8 ~ CK

     "Seventeen more days and you will be King, my son." my father drones on about the inevitable reality of my arranged marriage.
     "Princess Catherine will make a lovely bride, you know!" I roll my eyes. He doesn't seem to understand that i don't love the girl. she may be constantly surrounded by men, but inwardly she's a total snob. Egotistical seems to be her middle name. shouldn't the future King of England have the freedom to choose his own bride?
     "...And then our country will continue to be in good hands after I die."
     "Oh Father, please! Enough of this arranged marriage."
     "Nonsense! you have a bright future awaiting you. how could you not be thrilled at the thought?"
     Oh, I'm thrilled at the thought, alright! About as exciting as having lavatory duty...
     "I really must go. Brushing up on my languages might be a good idea before the guests arrive."
     The King sighs. "Alright," he says. "If you must,"
     Quickly, i retreat to my bed chamber. At last, I can be rid of all this "Princess Catherine" business. I slip my legs up onto a window seat and peer outside. The gray blanket above dominates the sky, casting a gloomy shadow over the world below. I watch as a horse-drawn carriage proceeds gracefully down the path, through the great iron gate, before disappearing into the distance. A knock at the door startles me.
     "Come in,"
     "I'm sorry to disturb you, my lord, but this letter arrived for you just now."
     "Oh, set it on the desk over there, please. Thank you, Charles!"
     I slowly make my way over to the desk. Lying on the smooth surface lies an official looking envelope, marked with a red seal. Careful not to rip the paper, I break the seal before scrolling through the words.

An Invitation:

You are cordially invited to a garden party tomorrow evening

at six o'clock. Elegant dress is required. We dearly hope

you will be able to attend. 

Sincerely,

the Winchesters

     The following evening I found myself dressed in a handsome brown suit, perusing the gardens of Mr. and Mrs.Winchester. I hardly knew a soul, but I committed myself to staying there in an effort to keep my mind off things. As I bent to examine a plump crimson bloom, my eyes caught a glimpse of a lovely feminine form. Completely absorbed in a novel, lovely brown curls swept past her shoulders and a pair of sapphire eyes gently examined the words in front of her. A lilac dress clothed her figure and she sat completely at ease. A rose in her garden. I cautiously approached her. 

     "I hope you don't mind my saying this, but I must say, you are by far the most charming creature in this garden."

     A rosy glow appeared suddenly upon her cheeks and she glanced shyly away. 

     "My thanks to you, Mr..." 

     "Oh....Henry. You can just call me Henry."

     "I'm delighted to make your acquaintance, Henry. And what brings you to this garden party?" 

     In a fluid motion, I pulled the lovely maiden from her reading place, and we strolled the gardens together. The moonlight illuminated our steps as we conversed for hours about life. And in that moment, it didn't matter that i was arranged to be married to a woman I barely knew. I was the Prince and even if it took me centuries, I would find a way somehow for the two of us to be together.