When I posted a poll on four story ideas that I had, and asked readers to vote on which one they would like to see put onto hypothetical papers, this story was by far, the winner. And I'm glad, because I have a lot of ideas for this story, and it's going to be very fun to write. I hope you guys like it, and make sure you check out some of my new stories that I will be releasing, as well as the older ones that I will be updating.

The Royal Feud

I'll say, Will You Marry Me

~Herondale~

"Gwilym Owain Herondale, you listen to me right now," Linette Owens told her son, as they sat around the table one night during supper. "You are almost eighteen. There comes a time in every young man's life, where they must pick up their feet and find a suitable wife to settle down with!"

"Mother," Gwilym, or as he was rather known as William, or Will, Herondale, replied. "I don't see why this is such a big deal to you. Sure, you have to pass on the family name, but I don't see how waiting a couple years is going to hurt anyone."

"Your mother is right, son," Edmund chimed in, setting his fork down onto the plate. "I'm not going to be around here forever. And you have the heavy weight of carrying the Herondale name on your shoulders."

Cecily threw her napkin down onto the floor in a fit of annoyance. "Why can't I be the one to carry on the family name? Why does it have to be Will?"

"Cecilia," Linette said gently, yet firmly. "You know that that is not how this works. Now, be a good girl and hush. Children should be seen and not heard,"

"I don't see why we have to fight about this over supper," Will complained, picking up his fork and stuffing another mouthful of food into his mouth. "It's rather depressing, I mean, who wants to be tied down for the rest of their lives, not being able to go anywhere or do anything? I'd much rather be a regular in the taverns."

"You must quit that nasty habit of yours," she replied, giving him a glare. "It does horrible things to our family's reputation, Imagine, being the laughingstock of the town, when people mention the trouble and messes you have gotten yourself into!"

"Now, Linette," Edmund said, patting her on the back. "You musn't get too worked up about this. Not right now, anyway." He turned to Will, shrugging his shoulders with somewhat of an apologetic smile. "Now about your dilemma. I'm prepared to make you a deal, which you may or may not like."

Will rolled his eyes at his father. It wasn't uncommon of him to make empty threats, and he barely ever went through with them. "What do you propose?"

"I will give you one year," his father said, narrowing his eyes. "And I don't care how you spend the year. You could sleep around in the towns for all I care, but-"

"-Edmund!" Linette interrupted, covering her mouth in shock. "Don't say that!"

"Ignore your mother for now," Edmund sighed. "I haven't finished. You may do whatever you please, but you must know that by the end of the year, you have picked out the woman you will marry. And by the end of two years, you will be married."

"That's impossible," Will scowled. "A year is hardly any time to have fun, to do what I wish. I'm going to be stuck with one person for the rest of my life!"

"If you don't," his father continued, his tone threatening," I'll throw you out, without a penny to your name or a place to go. That is the deal." He held his hand out to Will to shake.

"That's telling him, father!" Cecily squealed, her eyes lighting up. "Will, you're going to get married! Isn't this exciting?"

"Not in the least," he replied begrudgingly, reaching out to shake his father's hand. "But I'll do it. For the sake of a damn name, I'll get married."

~Carstairs~

"Ke Jian Ming," Jonah Carstairs said kindly, motioning for his some to come over and sit down next to him. "James, I have something to ask you. In fact, it's been on my mind for the longest of times. We need to talk about your future."

"You're finally telling him?" Ke, his mother, called from the kitchen. "Jonah, it's about time. He should have known a long time ago."

"I've been waiting for the right moment. I wasn't just going to tell him at some random time," he replied with a smile, as Jem took the seat next to his father.

"This is about me getting married, isn't it?" he said softly, almost quiet enough so Jonah couldn't hear. "You needn't tell me. I've been thinking about this for a very long time."

"You have, haven't you?" his father said, his face lighting up with a smile. "Then, you must know how important this is. As the last of the Carstairs family, you must carry on the name."

"I know," he nodded, eyelashes lowering as he glanced down to the floor. He ran a hand through his silver hair, closing his eyes for a few seconds before looking up. "I know how important it is."

"Then you realize that it's well time you find a partner," he replied, studying his son's expression. "There are many suitable young maidens out there. I'm sure you'll find the one who will make you happy. And if you can't… Marry the prettiest one out there. You needn't worry about money, of course."

"Jonah!" his mother reprimanded. She walked over briskly and pushed her husband out of the way. "That's not the thing to say. What he means is, marry for love. Find a woman that makes you happy and make sure that you make her happy as well."

"I know," he sighed, tugging on the strands of his hair. "I just… I worry sometimes that that's difficult when they find out about me."

"Any young lady would be crazy to not like you," his mother promised, patting Jem on the back. "You know how wonderful of a bachelor you are. And so gentlemanly, too!"

"People can see past that," he replied softly. "But… I'll try, of course. I couldn't dare think about not finding a wife. It's always been such… Such a goal of mine."

"You've accomplished much else," his father laughed, "Don't be so hard on yourself. You'll find someone. Your mother and I are sure of that."

"Jonah, you're going to embarrass him!" Ke called from the kitchen, her voice shrill and echoing through the walls of their large house. "Don't be so sentimental. That's the woman's job."

Jem laughed silently, placing his hands on his legs as he stood up, straightening out his shirt and pants. "They have the town dance this weekend," he mentioned, leaning against a tall, wooden armoire by the doorway. "I'll make sure my plans are cleared and that I go."

"Of course you will," his mother laughed. "In fact, I'll clear up any outstanding plans you had made, and I'll personally let you know that you're ill and won't be able to make it."

"Just tell them the truth," Jem replied with a smirk. "No need to go around spreading lies. You know how that turned out when we had that rather long argument with the Herondales last summer. I shall just be glad that the police came and separated us before things got too nasty."

"They were the Herondales," Jonah said in displeasement. "Made up of that rude, drunk bastard of a son and that spoiled girl they have."

"Now, don't be rude," Ke scolded, crossing her arms over her chest. "We may not like them, but we haven't any reason to let them spoil our nice evening."

"Alright, dear," Jonah gave in, "All I'll say is, that if that son of theirs manages to find a decent wife in any amount of time, I'll be damned."

~Gray~

"Theresa, darling," Elizabeth Gray said, running a hand along her daughter's hair, sitting down next to her. She smoothed a hand over the silk of the couch, sighing inwardly. "When are you going to put down your books and go out and meet people?"

"Mother, not this again," Tessa sighed, placing the book down beside her, though she kept her thumb in the pages to keep her spot. "I will go to the town dance this weekend. You've told me enough times, but you see, I'm terribly unsocial sometimes. I don't feel like getting to know people there. It's the same every time. The young men find out about our family's wealth, and all of a sudden, they're flocked around me, and the less fortunate ladies are left with no one to talk to. Really, I do everyone a favor by staying home and reading books."

"Don't speak so negative," her mother snapped, clasping her hands in front of her. "It's rather rude, don't you think? To speak of others as if they have nothing?"

"I'm sorry," she sighed, tugging at the ends of her hair. "It's just that being rather wealthy is so unfortunate sometimes. I'd love to just be able to go into a ball and stand in the corner, instead of being the center of attention."

"You talk like this now, but you'll regret it later," Elizabeth sighed. "Isn't that right, Richard?"

"It is so," Tessa's stepfather agreed, "But I see her point, to an extent. Really, wealth isn't such a bad thing, though, Tessa. You must learn to accept it."

"Exactly. When I was your age, I would have loved the men flocking around me." She stood, smoothing out her skirts. "But I met your father, so all ended up well."

"Fine," Tessa groaned, skipping her thumb out from between the pages. "I know you're just dying for me to get married. I mean, I am rather old to not be hitched and living with a husband," she admitted, "But I like it this way."
"We don't want to support you forever," Her mother said, laughing at the idea. "Not that we can't, or we wouldn't, but I just think that you should be a little more independent and find a man who would love to court you."

"I'm plenty independent." She frowned at the idea of living with her parents her entire life. And then again, she longed to find love. But how was she to when there was not a suitable man in the county? "I just don't have the opportunities to show it."

"What about that Carstairs boy?" Elizabeth asked, taping her chin. "He seems polite, and his family is well off. Perhaps you should converse with him."

"He's okay," Tessa admitted, blushing slightly at the remembrance of the silver haired boy she had danced with for a couple dances months ago. "He was very sweet, and seemed to be a fine person to spend time with."

"So it's settled!" her mother exclaimed, jumping in the air. "When will you two be married? Do you think he will go the town dance? If he does, do you promise to talk to him and get to know him a little better?"

"Mother," Tessa replied curtly, wanting to get off the subject. "If I say yes, that I will go to the town dance and I may talk to him, will you let me continue to read my book?"

Let me know what you think about this chapter, by leaving me a review and checking that follow/favorite box. It would mean the world to me. I hope to be able to update this story often, as well as catch up with some of my older stories I have been ignoring. :)

~Jillessa Heronstairs~