Chapter One

Prince Charming

Once upon a time in a prospering kingdom, a magical marriage occurred. It was a most joyous time in the kingdom. The king had finally married his maiden of choice and she was beautiful. Gorgeous dark brown locks of hair fell over lithe shoulders and bright blue eyes that held nothing but kindness and sympathies. The king had never been happier. In spite of his gorgeous marriage, his father held nothing but contempt for his son's bride. Convinced that she was nothing but a social climber, he sought every opportunity to foil their courtship and their impending marriage until they were married. He got desperate and went to the local mystic and wanted a wedge to come between the happy couple and the mystic gave him a herb to put in her tea. The past king did not question even what it was and did not heed the mystic's warning.

"Be careful what you wish for, king."

The herb did not do what he intended. The new queen had become barren. The old king was trying to convince him to divorce his new bride as she has no child rearing capabilities. But the king didn't understand because they had this discussion before they were married and she said that the healer said she was fertile. And so was he. It did not make sense. Then his advisor pulled the king to the side and spoke into his ear. He went white and bid forgiveness that he wasn't feeling well.

He went to the mystic in town and inquired as to whether his father had been there and the mystic said that it would take some time to reverse and that he had no idea he meant to give it to the kind queen. He gave them the herb to reverse her ailment and his statement to bring to the court.

The old king was surprised to be summoned to the court. He was outraged to find that his son, the son he had gone to so much lengths to protect had accused him of treason and since he made his son king, he could be accused of this. He was accused of treason and endangerment to the crown in the respect of hindering the queen's childbearing capabilities. He had no defense. He was exiled and not allowed to see his son or the people he had spent his life protecting. It was deserved.

Since that, the queen had gotten better and it took five years but eventually she was with child. The king was overjoyed. The queen had a fairly easy pregnancy with minimal amount of morning sickness and the kingdom saw their queen glowing with child. It was very exciting.

All too soon came the time to give birth. She spent many hours in pain and labor to give birth to twin sons. The elder son was to be called James. The younger twin was to be called William. The kingdom was ecstatic.

The twins grew with grace and wisdom, for children at least. James was the heir as he was born first and was very involved in the ways of the court. He was betrothed at the tender age of four to a very nice noblewoman who's family was very kind. She would make a wonderful queen. But the younger prince was a little charmer. He was known around the castle as prince charming.

As Prince James grew up with his father, learning discipline, diplomacy and his princely duties to the crown, Prince Charming grew up with his mother learning matters of the heart. He loved to read and ride his horse. He was an archer and a decent swordsman. But there was a skeleton hidden in his closet. Well, not so hidden. Everyone in the castle knew he was more homosexual than a unicorn riding a rainbow.

Soon, though his father put on a lovely ball to announce that his youngest son, William was ready for courting and courtship. He already had one son that would take care of the heir so he wasn't really worried about the heirs, James would take care of that.

"The prince is giving a ball…"
And this is where our story begins…