The Lady of My Choosing

by Juliette Deroulede

If my father were a chancellor, how easy it would be, the lovely Lady Caroline would be a proper wife, you see. But my father was a servant, and my mother same as he, so the lady of my choosing is a world away from me. That's how it is and how it was and how it always shall be.

16. You Have Your Problems, I Have Mine

Here we are, another film scene. Let me know if I'm doing all right! I've got a few interesting points that need ironing out, let's see how this goes. I literally write like crazy, I just type it up all in a few minutes and publish immediately so this is not exactly well thought-out... Oh well.

Winter melted away into spring. The agonizing issue of the prince's betrothal dragged on. All the chancellors were simply full of suggestions and the harried king, pressed on all sides, barely got a moment's rest. Edward spent as much time as absolutely possible outside the palace walls. It was on one such of these escapes that he asked John something that was rather unexpected.

"John, tell me something. Have you ever wished you were in love?"

Somewhat taken off guard and not entirely certain how to reply, John laughed.

"Oh, yes."

"Often?" Edward pressed. "I mean, as often as I wish it?"

"Well…" John hesitated, wondering if there would be anything amiss in confiding in the prince. But, after all, they had been best friends as long as he could remember. So why not reveal his deepest secret? "Well, I am in love."

"You are?" cried the prince. "How amazing. Who is she?"

"The Lady Caroline, Sir, since you ask."

"What? My cousin, Lady Caroline, the lady-in-waiting to my grandmother? That Lady Caroline?"

John looked at Edward in surprise. Had he really not noticed?

"Yes," he grinned, rather amused by the fact that Edward had never guessed anything, even though he knew how much time John and Caroline had spent together and what good friends they had been.

"How amazing!"

"Why?"

"Well, it's extraordinary." Edward shook his head, then added quickly, "Not extraordinarily extraordinary, of course, but I never guessed."

"I know," John laughed. That, at least, was rather obvious.

"Well, I'm delighted. You have my blessing. I… I must congratulate her."

"No!" John cried, alarmed. "No, please, Sir, don't do that. It's kind of you, but it wouldn't be seemly."

"How so?"

"Alas, my cause is a lost one." John sighed.

"The lady does not return your affections?" Edward asked, puzzled.

"Oh, indeed!" John said quickly. "But the fact remains that I am what I am… a servant." As Edward looked even more puzzled, John added, "Position, Sir. Position!"

"John, I'm twice amazed." the prince shook his head. "I must be very dense. Am I?"

"Of course not." John grinned ruefully. "You have your problems, I have mine."