Amilee’s Story…
“But…why?!” Amilee exclaimed. She knew that she sounded childish, but she was a child. And she didn’t even like boys! Why did she have to become betrothed to a boy?! Boys were icky!
“Because you are the daughter to a very prominent member of His Highness’ cabinet. And as such, your loyalty is unquestioned.”
Amilee blinked, desperately trying to understand. “So, I have to go through a boring ceremony and wear that dress,” she pointed to the pink “thing” that was covered in ruffles, “just because Papa is a friend of some guy that I don’t know?”
Amilee’s mother’s lips compressed with impatience. “Yes, Amilee.” Her mother walked over to her, bending down to take the barrette out of her hair. She pulled Amilee’s hair back and repositioned the barrette. “Do you know how many other girls would love to be in your shoes? You are going to be a princess.”
Amilee sort of liked the idea of becoming a princess. “But why do I have to wear that?” she said, pointing to the ridiculous dress. “It will make me look like a kid.”
Her mother sighed. Again. “Amilee, you are a child. This is only a betrothal ceremony. When you grow older, you can wear whatever you prefer to your engagement ball and your wedding ceremony. But until then, you’ll have to rely upon my expertise as to what is expected of you. That includes the pink dress.” She stood up and stepped back. “Besides, I think the dress looks beautiful. It will make your eyes sparkle.”
Amilee eyed the dress. There were two points in favor of wearing the dress. One – she really loved the idea of being a princess. She had a doll that wore a tiara and Amilee pretended that the doll was a princess. The doll got to attend balls and drink bubbly liquid. Amilee had snuck down from her room one night during a party and watched all of the guests laughing while drinking something that bubbled in the tall, fluted glasses. She desperately wanted to try whatever that was.
The second part – she sort of liked the idea of her eyes sparkling. It was a bit like the bubbly liquid. Eyes that sparkled would be like that liquid that everyone was drinking right? She wasn’t exactly sure that the two issues were similar, but since she had no idea what sparkling eyes looked like, she wanted to think that they were similar to the bubbly liquid that had made everyone laugh.
Still…that pink dress! It was truly ugly! There were so many layers of pink ruffles, she’d look ridiculous. “Isn’t there another dress?” she asked, her tone pleading as she looked up at her mother.
Rian’s Story…
“Why are you doing this again?” his friend, Mike, asked. Mike leaned back in the chair, propping his feet up on the ottoman in front of him.
“It’s just a tradition in my country. It allows the people of Abidnae to feel as if there is a succession plan.”
Mike tossed a soccer ball into the air, easily catching it with his hands. “So this is sort of like ‘The Fed’ in the United States. They lay down the rules and everyone feels a bit safer, right?”
Prince Rian thought about that for a moment. “Yes, I suppose it is similar, although the US Fed deals with economic policy while betrothals in my country are more about easing social anxiety.”
“But you won’t miss the soccer game right after the ceremony, right?” he asked, spinning the ball on his finger for several seconds before it fell to his lap. “You’re the star player. Without you, we’ll lose and have to buy drinks for everyone at the pub after the game.”
Rian rolled his eyes. “I’ll be there.” He thought about the timing of the ceremony as well as his father’s request for some of his time. “I think so. There are some other official issues I might have to manage. But assume that I’ll be there.”
Mike laughed with relief. “Good! Because some of those guys can drink!”
Rian didn’t mention that Mike could throw back a beer pretty easily lately. The guy was bordering on alcoholism. He was drinking pretty much all the time and even missing classes because he was too hung over.
“Well, I will endeavor not to let my official work get in the way of you getting out of paying for drinks,” he finally replied, then handed the report he’d been reviewing to his personal aide. “Thank you, that will be all,” he said to the man, then started unbuttoning the uniform. He nodded to his valet. “This fits nicely, thank you.” The valet nodded, then stood behind Rian to take the jacket covered in military medals. Rian might not have served in the military, but he trained with them several months out of the year.
“Are you done now?” Mike asked, standing up and flipping the soccer ball from hand to hand.
Rian rolled his eyes. “Yes. I’m free for,” he glanced at his watch, “the next two hours.”
Mike grinned. “Excellent. How about if we get some practice in before you have to be pulled away again?”
