Pros and Cons

It had been two days since my dinner with the king and I was going absolutely crazy. I made a solemn promise not to tell anyone about our conversation and his ridiculous plan. Of course I had already told my friends and family that I had dinner with him, so as soon as I returned I was hounded with questions. I was not a liar, at least I wasn't unless it was absolutely necessary. So, when asked what the king wanted, my only reply was: "I can't talk about it." You can imagine the reactions I got from everyone.

I wasn't going to go through with it. I knew that the second I stepped out of the carriage after it dropped me off at home. The whole idea was absurd. Sure arranged marriages were still pretty popular in my day when it came to royal families, but it had always been another thing I disliked about royalty. Either way, this situation was entirely different. I was a commoner, and the prince was, well, a prince!

I went over the pros and the cons in my head. Con: I would be marrying someone I didn't know. Well, I knew of the prince and I have seen him many times. But we've never spoken. Although from those few people who have talked to him (class boundaries ya know?) he's a slightly decent guy.

Pro: My family would be free from their misery and poverty.

Con: I would have to put of with royal snobs for the rest of my life.

Pro: I could get communication going between the king and his people. Lots of good could come to that. Many problems within the community could be fixed.

Con: I like comfort clothes and those huge heavy dresses that women of high status wear make back hurt even thinking about wearing one.

Pro: Did I mention I could get my family out of poverty?

Con: What would I do all day as a Princess? (Holy gardeners hoe! Princess! Ha!) Would people be doing everything for me? How boring!

Pro: My family would have food and warmth and shelter and medicine!

Con: I would give up any chance I had with Nathaniel.

Yep. There it was. The ultimate con. Now thinking about all of them, this con was the only one I didn't know if I could handle or not. Sure I could live with a snobby prince. I didn't find him attractive in anyway, but he wasn't ugly. I could build muscles I didn't even know I had when wearing those hundred pound dresses. Sure, I may have people waiting on me hand and foot, but I could spend my time reading right? I loved to read. Plus if the king was serious about me helping with the crumbling relations between he and the community, that may keep me busy as well.

Really the only thing that was holding me back from accepting the King's offer (other than the sheer absurdity of it) was Nathaniel. Yes, I know he saw me in a sisterly light, but that could always change right? I just needed to wait him out and eventually he'd realize I was the girl of his dreams and we'd live happily ever after.

A feeling of doubt filled me. I did know that there was a chance that would never happen. Would I be giving up an opportunity to save my family for nothing? Quite possibly I would. I needed to be more sure of what would happen with Nathaniel and me. That was the only way I could truly make my decision. Not that I was considering going through with it really. It was a completely far fetched scheme anyway.

So I did the most stupid and embarrassing thing I could do. I went to talk to him.

"Hey!" Nate said when he saw me approaching.

I had found him sitting under a tree with a book in his lap. My heart did a little dance when his eyes lit up. There had to be something there. No one looks at another person like that and doesn't like them right?

"Hey." I said back. I walked to him and sat down. "What are you reading?"

"Just a little history stuff for class on Monday."

"Oh." I smiled and nodded my head. Now that I was sitting next to him, I was starting to chicken out.

"So Katy is still pretty mad you won't tell her about your little royalty meeting the other day." Nate lifted his eyebrow.

"I know. But I promised. As soon as I'm allowed I'll tell you guys about it. It'll give you a laugh that is for sure. The whole thing is positively stupid." I realized I was starting to say too much. "So, how was your date with Melissa?"

"It was actually fantastic." He laughed. I suddenly wished I had used another subject to distract him. "I think….well… I think we might go out again."

My heart pretty much sank to my feet. I stared at him for a minute until his eyes became questioning. I mustered up all the courage I had. It was now or never.

"Nate. Let me ask you a question." My voice shook. "Do you…well. Do you ever think… What I mean is….Have you ever considered." I fumbled my words horribly. Nate looked at me strangely and then his expression turned to knowing.

"El." He paused. I knew what was coming next. "Look, you know I love you right? But, as a friend. A sister even."

"Ok." My small voice whispered. "So there's no hope for me at all?" He didn't say anything for a minute. His face was so sad. I started to regret putting him in such an awkward position. But I needed to know.

"I'm….I'm sorry El." He shook his head.

I pretty much felt like life itself was draining from my limbs. I felt the tears spring to my eyes. I stood quickly and almost passed out. Nate was on his feet immediately trying to steady me.

"El, sit down for a minute. I'm so sorry. So sorry." He repeated himself over and over.

I couldn't be next to him. I wasn't angry, but I shoved his hands of my arm and turned away.

"Look, I have to go. I'm making dinner for my family. It's ok. Don't worry. I understand." I rambled on as I walked away from him.

When I got home I was planning on faking a sickness and going straight to my room, but when I walked in the door I saw Dri sitting at the kitchen table. I hadn't noticed how thin she had gotten before. Her arms and legs were bony and her skin was pale.

"Are you sick honey?" I asked her when I sat also.

"No." She said with a smile on her face.

Just then Ana entered the room. She looked almost the same. Pale skinned and bony. I realized our lack of food was really taking an effect on them. Both of them had blue circles underneath their eyes. I could only imagine how much stress was on them. This was not a lifestyle they were used to.

If they were any other people I would have told them to toughen up and make the best of it, but these were my sisters and I loved them.

I knew then as I looked at their tired faces that I needed to do my duty as a sister and daughter to do what I could to keep my family strong.

I was going to accept the king's offer. Even though I still though it was monumentally outrageous.


Disney Princess3- Thanks for the suggestions. I'll definitely read your stories. Jess007- your reveiw was hilarious! It made me laugh a lot. We're definetly on the same thought frequency. That's how I picture sir steve too. :) Please review everyone! I need all the help I can get! Thanks ya'll. -Md