The king shuffled papers around on his desk. He straightened pencils, shuffled the papers around again, drummed his fingers on his arm rest. He was starting to get anxious. Usually, Ray would have come back to talk sooner than this. Anthony ran his fingers through his long hair, pulling the stray strands away from his face.
“I expected him to react poorly,” Anthony reminded himself.
“I’m sorry I ran out,” Ray said as he entered the office. Anthony jumped.
“I’m sorry, son, I must have been distracted. I didn’t hear you knock!”
“Well, I figured it was time to hear the details of this ball you are planning. Please tell me it won’t be too extravagant. I am so tired of balls.”
Anthony smiled and gestured to the chair across from his desk. Ray slouched into it. He did not look excited in the least. Anthony opened his file drawer on the side of his desk and pulled out a thick folder. Ray sighed when he saw the size of it.
“Oh, don’t worry, Ray,” Anthony chuckled. “You’ll like why this folder is so big.”
“I doubt it,” Ray muttered under his breath. His father was so excited about the contents of the folder, he didn’t hear, thank goodness.
“So, as I told you, this will be the biggest ball yet. If you don’t want it extravagant, then I’ll tone down the festivities, but that’s not why I said it will be the biggest.”
“Well, that’s a surprise,” Ray chuckled. “You love planning big, fancy parties.”
“This is true! But, you have met nearly every eligible woman from the families of all the dukes and marquesses. Even the daughters of the majority of the earls! I really am shocked that you have yet to find anyone that you like.”
“Well, you haven’t met them,” Ray muttered. This time, his father did hear him.
“Be polite,” Anthony scolded. “You may not want to marry any of their daughters, but you will have to work with their families once you take the crown.”
Ray rolled his eyes. Like he’d ever be rude to them to their faces. He was a prince! He knew how to fake interest.
“I have checked with the council,” Anthony continued. “As long as you marry from any of the royal families, no matter their rank, you will have their blessing.”
Anthony paused to see if Ray would get the hint. Ray looked at him with an impatient gaze and waved his hand to signal his father to keep going. Anthony’s smile turned into a huge grin. That scared Ray.
“So I have invited every eligible member of every royal family, from the dukes all the way down to the barons, to a ball in two weeks time!”
Ray’s mouth dropped open. Anthony kept beaming. Ray closed his mouth and sat back in his chair. Anthony handed Ray the folder, which had the guest list on top, to look over.
“You do realize how many people that is, right, Dad?” Ray snatched the folder and put it down on his father's desk. He really didn't care to look through it.
“Of course I do! I am the king, you know.” Anthony playfully winked at his son.
“And how exactly am I going to meet so many women in one ball?”
“Oh, that’s easy! The ball will start at noon and last until 2 a.m.!”
“You really expect me to be able to dance for that long?!” His father must be crazy.
“Of course not, Ray. I expect you to be able to socialize for that long. Mingle a little. You will be king one day. These types of affairs may not be common, but they do happen. And you will be expected to be present, as king, with very few breaks. Think of it as practice!”
“So I’m supposed to practice being king and try to find a wife at the same time, or you will stick me with whoever makes the best deal. Am I understanding this right?” Ray rubbed the bridge of his nose. His frustration was about to overflow and he felt his eyes start to moisten. He would not cry in front of his father about this, though.
Anthony’s face softened. He stood and walked around his desk to take a seat next to his son. He gently hooked a finger under his son’s chin and tilted his face up so they were looking eye to eye.
“You know that, should it come to an arranged marriage, I will put your happiness above the benefit the arrangement might bring our kingdom,” Anthony said softly. “I will not put you or any of your siblings into a situation even remotely close to that of your aunt’s. The last thing I want is to see my children hurting and miserable.”
Ray couldn’t hold back his tears any longer. As they poured out of his bright green eyes, Anthony’s heart broke. He pulled his son into a hug.
“Then why even do an arranged marriage at all!” Ray gripped onto his father’s shirt. “I’m doing my best. I just need a little more time.”
“Because we don’t have any more time, son. We’re receiving pressure from the council. They’re getting worried.”
“Why would they be worried? I’m still young.”
Anthony sighed. Rubbing Ray’s back, he moved deeper into his chair.
“Do you remember me telling you that you have an uncle who died before you were born?” Ray nodded. “Well, he was my older brother. He was supposed to be king, but he died in an accident when he was 20. He had not yet married nor produced an heir. Your aunt was already betrothed to that horrible man she’s married to, and, since we’re twins, there was confusion about who would take the throne. Technically, she is the older twin. Your grandparents had arranged her marriage to strengthen ties between our kingdoms, but they never intended for our kingdoms to merge.
“It was too late to call off her wedding. The people were worried that, should I take the throne instead, her husband would feel jilted and try to take our throne by force. He never was satisfied with anything. It took several months, but your grandparents finally worked out a deal with him and I was given the title of crown prince. Of course, it helped that I had proposed to your mother shortly after my brother’s death. I very acutely felt the reality of mortality and wanted to be with Sara for as long as humanly possible.”
Anthony smiled with a loving look in his eye. Ray rolled his eyes. His father had always been the more romantic of his parents.
“Now do you understand why you must marry soon,” Anthony asked. “Your mother and I have kept the council quiet on the matter for as long as we could. They will not sit quietly about it any longer. They are worried that we are pushing our luck and history will repeat itself.”
Ray nodded. He wasn’t happy about it, but he understood.
“I’ll do my best, dad,” Ray said as he stood up. “Thank you for explaining to me. I’ll try not to let you down.” Ray headed towards the office door.
“You could never let us down, son. Your mother and I will love you no matter what.” Anthony gave Ray a warm smile.
“Thanks, dad.” Ray paused as he opened the door. Looking over his shoulder, he asked, “Why haven’t you told me that story before?”
“I didn’t want to put more pressure on you.”
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