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“Ah, yes,” my mother chimes in, her eyes twinkling. “Enrique is such a dear friend. We’re so glad you two have remained close over the years.”
We continue to make small talk, discussing the weather and various palace events. However, I’m sensing that this is all just a preamble to some larger conversation, one I’m not sure I want to have.
“Speaking of the palace.” My mother’s voice takes on a more serious tone. “We wanted to discuss the upcoming garden exhibit. As you know, it’s a significant event for Albavarre and requires careful planning and organization.”
“Of course,” I reply, doing my best to sound engaged. In truth, I’m only half-listening, my thoughts still on Lily and how I might help her.
“Your father and I were hoping you could take on a more active role in the preparations this year,” she continues. “We believe it would be an excellent opportunity for you to showcase your leadership skills and dedication to Albavarre.”
I force a smile, knowing that there must be more to this conversation than a simple request for my involvement in a garden exhibit. “I’d be happy to help. What do you need me to do?”
“Excellent.” My father’s eyes meet mine with a mixture of pride and expectation. “We’ll need you to oversee the floral arrangements and coordinate with the various artists who will be displaying their work.”
“Is there anything else you wanted to talk about?” I ask, unable to contain my curiosity any longer.
My mother exchanges a glance with my father before turning back to me, her expression softening. “Felix, we know you’ve always been independent, and we’ve tried to respect that. But lately, we’ve grown concerned about your… choices in life.”
I feel a knot form in my stomach as I realize that the conversation I’d been dreading has finally arrived.
I take a slow sip of my tea, buying myself a moment to brace for the direction this conversation is about to take. “I see.”
My mother touches my hand. “We wanted to ask you about your personal life. What happened to that lovely girl Maria you were seeing last month?”
Maria? I rack my brain for a moment, recalling a dinner date and a shared laugh over dessert. It feels like a lifetime ago, a fleeting memory among so many others.
“Oh, um, I haven’t seen her in a few weeks,” I admit, leaving out the countless other dates and flings that have filled the time since.
My father sighs deeply, his disappointment evident. “Son, I remember what it is like to be young, and so I have held my tongue for years. But as you’ve just turned thirty, we believe it’s time for you to clean up your act.”
“I… see,” I repeat. Inside, though, I’m a churning mess of annoyance. I’m a grown man. How dare they attempt to dictate how I live my life?
“Your mother and I have always valued the sanctity of marriage and family. As our only child, it’s important that you start to think about these things if you ever want to inherit the throne.”
My heart pounds in my chest, a tidal wave of panic rising inside me. There it is. The golden prize. The throne. They’re dangling it right in front of me like a carrot.
From the outside, it might look like I couldn’t care less about inheriting the throne. Truly, though, it matters more than I care to admit. I love this tiny country and its people, and I’ll be proud to lead one day.
That is, if my parents let me. Because they do get to decide, and if they choose to skip me in line, then the title of King goes to my first cousin.
The thought makes me sick to my stomach. Almost as sick as when I think about settling down and playing house.
They’re not really going to force me into that, are they?
My fingers tap impatiently against the armrest of my chair, betraying the anxiety that courses through me. “Look, I understand where you’re coming from.” I try to keep my voice level despite the turmoil within. “But don’t you think I should be able to find love on my own terms? I need time to figure things out.”
“Time is something we all wish we had more of,” my mother says softly. “But as the future king of Albavarre, there are certain responsibilities you must fulfill.”
“Your mother and I have been very patient, Felix,” my father adds, his voice firm but not unkind. “We’ve allowed you your freedom, perhaps even indulged your whims for too long. But now, it’s time for you to think about the future of our kingdom and the legacy you’ll leave behind.”
I take a deep breath, swallowing the bitter taste of resentment that threatens to overwhelm me. Is this really how my life is meant to play out? Tied down to a loveless marriage, all for the sake of tradition and duty?
I’m reminded of Lily’s wedding. Her parents pushed her to marry Rick, and look how that ended up.
“Fine,” I concede, knowing that arguing any further would be fruitless. “I’ll… I’ll start thinking about it.” It’s a hollow promise, but it seems to appease my parents for now.
“Thank you, Felix,” my mother says with a sad smile. “We know this isn’t what you want, but sometimes we must make sacrifices for the greater good.”
I chew that over. “And who is it that you are expecting me to marry? I don’t have a girlfriend.”
