A/N: So this a little different than what I said I was going to do. I originally planned on having either both characters be royalty or have Vision be an apprentice. However, I have seen both of those and then this came to me while listening to ' if I can't love her' from Beauty and the Beast the musical, hence the title. Anyway, please enjoy and let me know how I'm doing since this is my first fantasy themed story.
" Your father's looking for you."
Vision looks up from his book to see a familiar servant leaning against one of the book cases. Laura Barton had been working at the palace since before he was born and had a major roll in raising him, thus knew where to find him when he disappeared.
Closing the book he was currently reading, Vision stands and smiles at the women.
" Thank you, Mrs. Barton. Did he tell you what he requires my presence for?"
" Only that the council needed to talk to you and you are required to appear in the throne room. And how many times must I tell you to call me Laura?"
" At least once more it seems."
He wonders what the council could possibly what to talk to him about. His father is well, as far as he knew, so he wouldn't need to prepare for his coronation for several years still, other than that there wasn't anything he could think of that the council needed to talk to him about.
Tucking his book in his arm, he heads to leave the library before Laura catches him.
" Before I forget, Wanda said to tell you ' stars'. What that means, I don't know, but hopefully you do."
Vision can't help but smile at the mention of the young women.
" Yes I understand what she's trying to tell me. Thank you for delivering that message to me."
Vision leaves the library and heads for the throne room. The whole way he contemplates what he was being summoned by the council for. The only other time he had been summoned was when he became of age though he had been expecting that. When he enters the throne room he sees that there has been a table set up in the middle of the room. There, seated at the table was his father and his adviser, Lord Rhodes, along with a large number of council men. When they see him, they all stand and greet him.
" Prince Vision, we are glad that you have decided to join us."
Vision nods and takes a seat.
" Please be seated, council men. Seeing as you have summoned me here, I am assuming that there is an important matter we need to discuss. I would like to acquire what that matter is."
The council men all exchange nervous glances. This makes Vision rather concerned.
" Have we been attacked? Has someone been killed or is deathly ill? Has my brother escaped prison?"
Several council men chuckle and head council man Ross shakes his head before answering.
" I assure you, my prince, it is nothing so horrid. We merely wish to speak with you about your up coming future."
" Exactly what, about my up coming future?"
" What future? My boy is doomed."
They all turn to the king who is chuckling at his own joke. Several join him including Vision himself.
" I appreciate the boost of confidence, father."
" I'm glad to give it, my son."
Ross lets out an exasperated sigh.
" King Anthony, can we please get on with this meeting. I'm sure the prince has other things he needs to do."
" Give an example, besides reading one of those fairy tales he always seems to have his noes buried in."
" With all due respect, father, I'm currently reading a book on battle strategies. I'm finding it quite fascinating."
" Where did you get a book about battle strategies?"
" From Lady Romanoff."
" Figures."
" Can we please proceed with this meeting?"
Vision looks at the council man and nods.
" My apologies, I'm sure you have other thing that need to be done."
" It is quite alright. Continuing from our previous point in this conversation. As you know, you expecting to take the throne in a few years from now."
" Yes, has there been a change of the coronation date?"
" No there has not been. However, we are a bit concerned about what follows you taking the throne."
" I'm not sure I quite follow."
" When you take the throne you expected to do a few things. One of those things is to get married and produce an heir."
" I am aware of that."
" However, you have made no move to court a single women and you are two years past the age of consent. This is concerning since it would be ideal for you to be married and working on producing an heir or two by the time you ascend the throne."
Vision stares at the men in front of him with a look of disbelief.
" I don't understand. Are you saying it is required for me to have a bride before I can become king?"
" Or seriously courting someone, yes."
" I don't remember my father or even my grandfather having to be wed before they were king."
" Both your father and grandfather had to become kind before they were of age due to the unfortunate deaths of their fathers. On top of that, we are at a time of war, my prince. We have been fortunate enough to be left out of the fighting around us. However, what if we were forced into the war and something happened to you before you were to produce an heir? With the queen no longer able to create children, what would we do?"
" I'd adopt the Parker boy, Obviously."
They all ignore the king's remark. Vision sighs knowing he couldn't flat out refuse the council.
" What am I to do?"
" We will be sending out news about you looking for a bride to the eligible women in the kingdom. We'll through some parties and gatherings so you can meet them and hopefully you find one that you like enough to court."
Vision remains silent and just nods.
" That is all we needed to talk to you about. Thank you for being so understanding."
Vision nods again and leaves the throne room. All the while trying to figure out what he will tell Wanda.