Rafael Chancellor's Point of View:

"You need to get married"

Once again I ignored my father's voice ranting about how I needed to get married soon. It's the same story as ways but I'm not ready yet. I'm only 23 years old but ever since my last birthday, my father has been pestering me about settling down and finding myself a worthy queen.

My father is Charles Chancellor and he is currently the king of France. In a couple of months, I will take over from my father and assume the throne. I should've been crowned on my 23 birthday but because I was not married my father refused to step down. It was ridiculous of him to stop me but I had no say in the matter.

I think I'm ready to be king but if my father wishes to continue his rule who am I to stop him, he is after all king. In the meantime I will continue to do my princely duties, maybe even spend some time in America with Alissa. She was like a breath of fresh air she had no idea who I was which was a total surprise. Although if she did come to the ball like I asked she'll find out who I am anyway. I didn't think that part through.

"Are you even listening?" My father shouted breaking me out of my daze.

I turned to face my father while adjusting my royal attire, "honestly father...we've been through this numerous times, I have no intention to marry anyone at least not until I'm ready"

"And when might you be ready?" He asked exasperatedly.

When would be the perfect time for me to settle down? I thought about it a minute before answering, "when I'm in my 30s"

"What?" he shouted "are you mad?" he jumped up from his seat to walk over to me. I paid him no mind and continued to fix my pins.

"Not at all father"

I watched as he stood there fuming mad. Being a king and all he never really showed his anger to anyone because he had to remain neutral and calm but when he did it was a sight to behold. I was unfortunately on the receiving end of his anger more times than I would like to admit.

"Charles?" my mother's voice rang through the air. Thank you, Lord.

I sighed audibly with relief. My father's anger makes him cold and ruthless when at the moment and I feared he was indeed in the moment. Thankfully mother had arrived just in time to calm him down.

"What's going on here my love?" she asked walking over to us.

Father didn't answer, his gaze was fixated on me and his eyes never wavered. I forced my eyes away and instead looked into the mirror. He was breathing deeply as if trying to calm himself. She glanced at him then at me with raised brows. She was clearly waiting for him to say something but he was being stubborn as usual.

"Rafael, my child, what's the matter with you guys?"

Looking down at my feet I took a deep breath before answering, "father wants me to get married but I'm not ready to settle down yet"

"Charles Augustus Chancellor is what our son telling me true?" she asked, "you're pressuring him to get married?"

He faced my mom with a sheepish smile on his face, "I don't have a choice love"

I mentally rolled my eyes at dad he was definitely whipped by mom. She barely said anything and he was already trying to placate her. Sometimes it was disgusting to watch how sweet they were together and other times I longed for the special connection that they had with each other. They have been together and ruled together for years. It was a beautiful sight when I wasn't embarrassed about it.

"What do you mean, you don't have a choice?" I asked when his words finally sank in. He's the king, how does he not have a choice?

He sighed grabbing on to mom's hand and raising it to his lips. He looked between my mother and me with a forlorn expression on his face. I turned to face them at this time having never seen this look on my father's face before.

"I'm truly sorry," he spoke calmly "I tried to make them see reason but they were adamant with their decision"

My blood ran cold at what dad just said. I didn't have to wonder who he was talking about. He was king and no one could tell him what to do, no one but the council. The council was a group of ten persons who helped the king and queen to rule over the country.

They were amongst the elite and most influential in the country. They weren't above the king and queen but they had some power. If father found that he couldn't say no to the council that meant that they had to do whatever it is they wanted.

"What is it ?" I asked, "what do they want this time dad?"

"You"

"Sorry...did you just say that they want me?"

"Yes I did," he answered seriously making my mom gasp in disbelief "they want you married before the end of the summer"

"That's ten days from now," mom gasped.

"What!?" I roared in anger "they can't do this to me I am their future king...how dare they do this to me!"

"Calm down son, there's no use getting all riled up there's nothing we can do"

"Why the hell not?" I asked furiously.

"It's the law son you were supposed to be crowned king on your 23 birthday," Dad stated sadly.

I calmed down when mom ran a soothing hand down my back. "There's nothing to be done," she whispered "legally if you don't take the throne, your cousin Harry will ascend and be king"

My eyes narrowed into slits when I heard his name. Harry was the last person who you would want to take the crown. He was irresponsible, reckless, and ruthless. He didn't have what it takes to operate his home much less a country.

Not wanting my country to suffer, I made a decision that would forever change my life.

It seems I need to find myself a bride.