The Duke of Leona was the most powerful Duke in all of the kingdoms under Prince Rhydian III. His extravagant castle and grounds was second only to that of the king. He was young, handsome, and exceedingly rich. He was talented, smart, and, of course, a ladies man. And the soon-to-be king was not. Well, he had the brains and the brawn, but he wasn't charismatic like the duke.
The boys had been close friends during their early years in the Military Academy. They both rose fast, having the royal genes that made them excellent fighters and tacticians. But disaster struck during war-time when both of their fathers died in battle. Both were thrust into the world of politics and society at sixteen, but each experience was different. While the young duke danced the night away with the loveliest ladies he could find, the prince was pressured into schmoozing with the present high military and political leaders, as well as the major philosophers, artists, and mathematicians of the day. He was expected to understand every subject enough to debate with the best, to dance with perfection, to have impeccable manners. The expectations and the pressure put on his shoulders was almost too great, but he struggled through.
With no real friends to talk to, the young prince became moody and dark. His eyes held none of the young boy at the Military Academy, the laughter. The councilmen looking over him until he turned 18, and became eligable to take the throne, worried frequently. He was the image of perfection in public. Although he rarely let a smile slip by, he was well versed in all subjects and kept up easy conversation with all people of importance. Home and alone in the castle, though, he sulked in the library and around the gardens, eyes downcast and shoulders hunched. The prince was not happy.
They watched him closely, monitoring his every move. Their results were to be expected. The boy was alone in the world. He was jealous of his old friend Kristopher, the Duke of Leona. It was obvious. He was watching him always, watching the boyhood friend's happiness. But what could they do to make the prince happy?
The council remained in doubt, arguing for hours, days, weeks, about what to do with the prince. Their answer came one day in the mail. The Duke of Leona was getting married. They watched as the prince's face fell with the news.
"I knew it all along. He needs a girl," Master K shouted.
"You old man! You said he needed a good dog," Master D huffed.
"That is beside the point, gentleman. We need to find the right girl," Master Z said.
"Where are we going to find a girl with that much patience?" Master N asked.
"Where are we going to find a girl that he likes?" Master W asked.
"We could hold a ball," Master I suggested.
"But how on earth would we be able to get him to agree?" Master O asked.
"We could send him off somewhere and tell him it's in honor of his return," Master A said.
"We could tell him we felt like partying," Master G said.
"We could just throw a ball for his birthday next month," Master Z said exasperatedly.
"Of course!" Master J said. "And we'll invite all ladies of significance."
"They'll have to be close to his age. Shall we set up an age restriction?" Master N asked.
"We could invite all young people between the ages of sixteen and twenty," Master L said.
"It's settled, then," Master Z said. "Begin preparations at once."