KING

King Gregor liked to think of himself as a good father, or at least he very well hoped he was. He could admit that it had been hard being a single parent, especially when one had to consider their duties as the king as well. Sometimes what he thought was best for the kingdom wasn't always the best for his daughter, or vise versa. Still, Dunwyn hadn't collapsed on itself yet- so he assumed he must have been doing well. So by the time his daughter was of age, he didn't think it much harm to start showing Calla off to would-be suitors- the years would fly by and in no time she would be a woman, so one must be prepared. But with every prince and duke rejected, Gregor began to suspect something was amiss. And whenever he began to address the subject, his dear princess would just wilt before him. It wasn't hard to come to the conclusion that the thought of marriage was making her unhappy.

"Calla, my dear," King Gregor said one evening, as he knocked and let himself into his daughter's room, "we need to speak-"

"About what's good for the kingdom, I KNOW, father. I know." Calla, who had been sitting on her bed in her nightgown straightened up, as she began to mock her parent. "It is a princess' royal duty to marry and bestow upon their people a new heir. So that their kingdom can continue to grow and flourish."

The king didn't remember sounding so stuffy and old when he had originally said those words, so instead chose to believe it was just his daughter's poor acting skills that made him come across that way. Still, he smiled all the same, as he plopped down on the bed next to her.

"And you know, it's still very much true. However…" Gregor's smile faded as his expression softened in worry. "You don't really like the thought of marriage, do you?"

Calla looked away as she twiddled with her fingers, her hands suddenly more interesting as she tried to find her words.

"Well, not exactly. I mean, the idea of marriage sounds very nice. The fairy tales the castle nanny used to read to me used to always make it sound dreamy..."

"Yes?" The king egged on, knowing that there was a 'but' in there somewhere. He was right as his daughter carried on.

"But I just don't think I want to marry a prince or a duke… Or even a knight. In my story books you never hear of arranged marriages, or of duty. It's about love, and fighting for it. And I just can't see myself in love with any of these men we've met."

"Maybe it would help to spend more time with them?" While the question was meant as an innocent suggestion, the princess huffed in frustration as she jumped onto her feet.

"No! I could spend a million years with them, and I never could. Maybe tolerate them, but not LOVE them, father. I don't want somebody that sees me as a prize, or as duty. I want a friend. Somebody that will stay up with me all night and laugh at silly stories we heard about the villagers. Somebody who's willing to go along MY adventures and take me on some of theirs too. Somebody who's kind, who's smart, who.."

Calla's face was pink with a blush before she shook her head, clearing away whatever image she had been focusing on. She started petting her braid in comfort as she continued.

"I want somebody that wants to be with ME, father, not with a princess."

King Gregor, who had been watching his daughter intently the entire time, stroke his beard thoughtfully.

"Hmm, sounds like you already have someone in mind."

This caused the princess to jump a little in place, the returned blush telling the king he had hit the nail on the head. Still, he was silent as he let his daughter stutter out a reply.

"W-well, no father, not EXACTLY. Or, maybe not yet anyway."

"But enough to tell me that you've made up your mind." Gregor held out his hands, Calla instantly grasping onto them as she knew her father wanted, as he started to rub them gently. He leaned forward so that his head was leaning against her's, as he collected the rest of his thoughts. "I know how you are when you've made up your mind on a subject- then it's settled."

"Settled?"

"Yes, I give you the choice to marry anyone you please."

Calla was silent for a moment, before a shy yet playful smile made its way onto her face.

"Even if they were a gummi bear?"

King Gregor laughed.

"Yes, even if they were a gummi bear."