After I left the Colosseum, people greeted me and congratulated me on my victory. I walk towards the castle and see three chariots stopped before the court. Out of nowhere, a woman walks up to me and speaks, "Sir Zechariah?". I turn and look at her.

"I am the royal dress fitter. I will accompany you to the dressing rooms".

I bow back to her.

"Um, miss, why are there chariots in front of the castle?".

"Oh, they are princes from other kingdoms. They come here to try and win the princesses' hand".

I felt a rush of adrenalin when I heard what she had said. I knock it off, follow her to the back of the castle and enter through a large garden. I looked around, and in the center stood a giant statue of the king and another person. I go around it and see my father's face. They were best friends. I continue to follow the dresser and walk to the dressing room. I walk in and look around. It was a circle room with royal gowns and robes all hung up.

"Choose any you like.", the dresser said.

"I have the option to choose an outfit?".

"Yes, sir."

She left and closed the door behind her. I look around and see all kinds of shiny robes and pants. I noticed one that was not so shiny and had a belt on it. It had a printed picture of a wolf's head on it. I take off my rags and try on the clothes. Moments later, the dresser walks in and looks at me. She clamps her hands, "Ah, marvelous, you look just like your father."

"You knew my father too?".

"Well, I have seen him occasionally, but I have never really talked to him. He did wear the same outfit you are wearing now. You two have the same mind for clothing".

We exited the dressing room and asked a question.

"Can I see the princes trying to get the princess's hand?".

"Why do you care to see it?".

I could not tell her that the princess and I were in relations, so I lied, "My mother told me that other kingdoms do their handling differently. I kind of wanted to see it for myself".

"Well…okay then, just don't get seen".

"Yes, ma'am." I bow and dash to the stairs. I make my way past the large pillars and hide behind a pot. The room was tense and filled with different kingdoms. One of the princes started to walk up and kneeled before the king. He turns his head to another prince with crossed arms.

"See this, this is how you kneel.", he said. He turns his head and looks at the king.

"Your majesty, I humbly come forth today to claim your daughters' hand in marriage."

The king responds, "I don't know why you are looking at me; you should be looking at her."

I chuckle a little.

The prince then turns and yells, "WHO THINKS THIS IS FUNNY!?". He turns his head at all the princes. He then turns to the princess and speaks.

"Lovely princess of Erososs, I can offer you a lifetime of love and hope. And as for the kingdom, well, I can offer the largest metal and copper supply".

"Mmm…" the princess said.

"I can also offer you a bearer who will…".

The king interrupted him, "Uh, what did you just say, Gilligore?".

"I…I said I can offer her a bearer who will one day be a great ruler".

The king stands up and walks down the steps. He stands before Gilligore, "You say you will offer her a bearer, but you're shaking like a rattlesnake. How can a scared little boy like you offer a bearer?". Gilligore stuttered and said, "We-well, yo-you, you see, I can get a-a, little intimidated b-by, strong people, s-sir."

"You are not worthy of my daughter. If you cannot even talk with me without being intimidated or stuttering, you're not the one. So, the answer is no". Gilligore stomps and rushes out, and the soldiers follow him. After the other princes had asked and failed, they all left. I was still hiding behind the pot. The king rubs his face and sighs, "Finally, that's over; it ended like last time." The princess turns to the king and the queen and speaks.

"Whenever princes from other kingdoms come to win my hand, you expect me to say yes."

"Well, maybe, but you must decide if…" the king said, but the princess interrupted him.

"Not you, Father; I was talking to Mother."

"Hmph, well, you have to say yes eventually. You cannot say no forever.", the queen said.

"All the princes want a son who will be a better ruler for the kingdom, but 4 out of 1 did not say what they will do for me and my needs".

"I see your point, but you must give in indefinitely."

"What if I don't want to marry a prince? Have you ever thought of that?".

"Not marrying a prince, have you lost it! What will you marry, a peasant? A blacksmith? The royal bloodline needs to stay pure as it is. We do not want impure blood in our family".

The princess then stomps out of the chamber. The queen sighed and looked at the king, "I already know you will take her side."

"She made a point about marrying someone non-royal."

"If she marries a peasant, what good will that do for the kingdom?".

"The kingdoms' image and moral state will remain the same; it will not change based on who marries who."

"It is whom, and yes, it will."

"What if she marries Zechariah?".

"Zechariah may be a nice boy, but he is still a peasant. That will not change no matter how hard he tries, just like his father."

The king gets up and steps out of the chamber. The queen sits there silently. She was not wrong; one of the reasons I keep fighting is to prove that I am more worthy than a peasant. I still feel that way too.