Viva La Vida~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Live Your Life

I was once the heir to the Austria-Hungarian empire; Prince Aleksandar of Hohenburg. I had servants at my every command, and almost all that I could ask for. I could have ruled over millions of people, and taken the throne that was once denied to even my own father. Instead, here I am, sitting beside my best friend, my true love, Deryn, as we watch the clear sky together from the lawn outside London Zoo.

I once thought that becoming emperor, and taking up a role in which I would have everything was my destiny. That view changed when I experienced the adventure of a real life; it changed when I fell in love with a common girl of uncommon spirit. I realized that by shackling myself to such a fate, I might gain power, but I would be giving up all that I loved: freedom, adventure, and a girl named Deryn Sharp. I made the choice to renounce that fate, and here I am, sweeping the streets that I might have owned; the streets that I now spend my days walking beside my beautiful wife, Deryn Hohonburg.

I was once a soldier, fighting beside the young woman (disguised as a young man), my best friend, who I would one day fall in love with. I killed others, and witnessed my friends and allies being taken from me by the war. I was forced to make hard choices to protect myself, my friends, and my people, and I stood at the edge of death more than once. However, there was always someone who brought me back to myself, whether it was a doctor operating, or a young Ms. Sharp kissing me just to keep me conscious. Now here I am, showing my daughter my old fencing sword, and teaching her how to hold it, as she giggles. A pair of old piloting goggles rest on her forehead, constantly slipping over her eyes. My wife comes into the warm sitting room that we've been playing in and laughs at our antics.

I once thought that I knew the answer to everything; that all I said and thought was correct. I believed that all fabricated creatures were evil. I believed that a woman couldn't fight in the military; couldn't best a man or punch him so hard that he's left dizzy. However, I was shown how beautiful and fascinating fabricated creatures can really be. My opinion on women was also changed (in quite a painful manner) by the love of my life. Now here I am, cringing as I brace myself for the light (but still very painful) punch I'm sure to receive from my lovely wife as she tries to literally knock some sense into me.

I once stood in a role that balanced precariously on pillars of salt and sand, waiting for everything to fall apart. However, when it did, someone caught me; she held me close to her heart and did all that she could to protect and guide me. She comforted me, even as she suffered in her own way, teaching me how to do the same for others. Now, here I am, sitting in a rocking chair beside my wife, Deryn: my mirror, my sword, my shield, my love. Together we wait for our children to come visit us, bringing their children as well.

We took a hard road, filled with difficult choices. I may not have chosen correctly all of the time, but when it came to selecting the path I would take to my future, I chose right. It's not a castle, or an empire; it's something much better. I chose Deryn, and she led me home.