"A man who treats his woman like a princess is the best proof that he was born and raised by a queen."
"Prince?" Meekly, a blonde, blue-eyed maid, dressed in a black skirt and tattered white apron, tapped his forearm.
"Yes?"
"Your mother, Her Majesty the Queen, requests that you visit her in her chambers immediately."
He smiled, his white teeth gleaming and straight. "Thank you, Claire. Your mother was shouting before about needing more help in the kitchens. Maybe you should go down and assist her."
"Yes, sir." She curtsied and fled.
The prince shook his head. That little Claire could be attractive if she put her mind to it, but she'd never get a chance. And besides, he had his sights locked on somebody else. A nearby princess, who had hair like wild chestnuts and eyes like amber. But she was already being courted by another man, HRH Joshua Hotz. And she had suitors lined up around the block. But that had never stopped him before.
He exited his room and strolled languidly along the castle corridors toward his mother's chambers. He knocked smartly on the door and then stepped inside. "My presence, ma'am," he announced, walking over to her bedside.
The queen sat up. "It is time you got married," she told him evenly.
"But I-" He cut himself off in the middle of the sentence. There was no way he could tell his mother that he wanted a woman who was already taken. That, he would never hear the end of. "Yes, ma'am."
"Good. I will set a date for the ball a week from today. Princesses and Ladies from near and far shall attend. I am sure someone will catch your eye."
He swallowed and bowed. "Yes, ma'am."
The queen smiled. "Thank you for your time, as always, Derrick."
"Yes, ma'am."
I kind of know I shouldn't have started another story, what with being in the middle of three already, but oh well! Out of all my stories, this is the one I have the greatest plans for. So expect frequent updates. :)
Heart ya,
Joy
P.S. And oh yeah, the next chapter will be the ball. Will his desired princess attend? Will someone else catch his eye?