Chapter 3: Somebody to Love

"Here, let me help you."

Nils looked up from his tie to see Kat standing in his door. She walked over and took the tie from his hands, fixing it for him and turning him to face the mirror.

"You're going to be fine. Everyone knows this is a difficult time, they are on your side. And Ian will be there, so he will help you."

"I know, I know. I'm still terrified though." Nils turned to face his sister. "What if they don't listen to me? I'm not cut out to be King. They will laugh at me. Especially when they are used to Papa and Sigrid. She lived for this job. She was so perfect for it. And I'm just...not."

"Nils. You are going to be fine."

"No, Kat, I'm not. I have no idea what I am doing. None at all."

"Yes, it will take some getting used to, and yes, you have a lot to learn, but it is going to be fine. I promise."

"You can't promise that!" Nils said, pulling away from Kat.

"Nils?"

Ian stood in the door. Nils sighed.

"Its time." Ian turned and walked out the door towards the meeting chamber.

Before Nils left to follow Ian, he hugged Kat quickly again. "Thank you."

He took a deep breath and quickened his step to catch up with Ian. He did not want to have to go into that meeting chamber alone. After a few moments, he caught up with his older brother. They walked for a bit before stopping in front of the tall doors that lead to the meeting chamber.

"You ready?" Ian turned to Nils, putting his hand on his younger brother's shoulder.

"As ready as I'll ever be," Nils smiled weakly.

"Alright then." Ian stepped forward and pushed open the door. Nils was met with the sounds of chaos. Nobles and advisors alike were spread about the room, talking to one another, some more passionate than others.

"His Majesty the King," the page announced. Suddenly the room fell silent, and all eyes were on Nils. He quietly cleared his throat and walked to the head of the table. He debated whether or not he should sit, he knew that if he did not no one else could, but he decided to sit. Everyone in the room followed suit. Nils cleared his throat once more before speaking.

"It is my greatest honor to address you, my privy counselors. It is with a heavy heart and great sorrow that I sit before you today as this seat should have belonged to my father for many years to come. However, it is also a great privilege. I am humbled by this opportunity to lead and serve both my country and its people. I know I am not as experienced as my sister, who was meant to sit here, but I also know that you, my privy counselors, will guide me on this path. Thank you."

There was a long silence before the Lord President of the Council spoke. "Thank you, Your Majesty. We are most grateful to have the great honor of serving and advising you." The Lord President stopped and cleared his throat. "We have a few things to discuss today. Firstly, we would like to offer our sincerest condolences to you and your family."

"Thank you, your condolences are appreciated."

"Secondly, your coronation. Seeing as your ascension to the throne was...unexpected, preparations will take time. As of now, the date is set for June 12, 3092, nine months from now. Finally…" Here the Lord President stopped and exchanged glances with a few of the other lords. "Finally, we would like to discuss your Selection."

"My what?"

"Your Selection, Your Majesty. I know your father did not have one, but it is the tradition. The only reason he did not have one was because of the need for an alliance with Swendway and his lack of siblings. We would like to discuss preparations for yours"

"I'm sorry, but you want me to have a Selection? You want me to invite thirty-five young women into my home? Now? After everything I have lost? Really? My father is dead. My mother is dead. My sister is dead. And you want me to have a Selection? You want me to host an event that requires parties and balls and entertaining guests? You want me to host such an event only weeks after my mother and my father and my twin sister were killed?"

"Your Majesty, please, do not raise your voice-"

"No! You do not tell me what to do!"

"My apologies, I only meant that this is a tradition. It cannot simply be ignored."

"It can if I say it can. I am King and I say I will not have a Selection!"

Nils abruptly stood, frantically followed by the entire privy council, and stormed out of the meeting chamber. He could hear Ian following and calling after him, but he did not stop. He couldn't. How could they ask this of him? How could they ask him to have a Selection at this time? How could they ask him to host parties? How could they ask him to invite strangers into his home? How could they ask him to fall in love? How could they? It was cruel.

He didn't stop walking until he was outside the palace and far into the gardens. Slowly, he came to a stop and collapsed onto the ground, tears quickly beginning to fall from his eyes. Before long, he was hugging his knees to his chest, rocking back and forth and sobbing.

After some time, he felt a gentle hand on his shoulder.

"Nils."

No answer.

"Nils, please look at me."

Slowly, Nils lifted his head to look at his brother, tears still streaming down his face. Ian put his arms around Nils, holding his brother in a tight embrace.

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I had no idea. I promise, I had no idea."

"How? How can they ask me to do something like that? Especially now?

"I don't know. I do not know. What I do know is that you do not want to anger the nobles this early. Now is a time you need them on your side. These early months, they will be difficult. You want to have as many people on your side as possible."
Nils pulled away from his brother. "But a Selection? Ian, you can't really expect me to agree."

"I'm not saying you should do it, I am only saying you should consider it. Think about what it would mean to say no."

"What about what it would mean to say yes?" Nils stood up, taking a few steps away from his brother.

"I know, I know what it would mean. I am only saying that you should think about it."

"Fine." Nils did not look at Ian, even when Ian put his hand on his shoulder.

"I am here for you though. I will always be here. All you have to do is call. I'm on your side."

...o0o...

Sigrid,

I expected this from the counselors. Well, I expected something, maybe not this, but something. I knew they would try to pressure me into something, but Ian? Ian is supposed to be on my side. He is supposed to be the one person who is always on my side, no matter what. He was supposed to be there for me, but instead, he told me I should just do whatever they privy council wants! And you know what? Maybe I should have expected this as well. Honestly, why should I have expected anything else? No, the world has clearly shown me that I am destined to be alone in this life. Left to deal with all of this on my own. It handed me a crown, 'here, have this. I'm sure you'll figure it out.' Because that's how it works apparently! No matter how much you prepare, it is never for the right thing! Was I supposed to have this job? No! Was I supposed to be left alone to do it myself? No! But here we are! Here we are…

Here Nils stopped. He fell silent and slowly dropped into the chair at his desk. He looked over at the picture of his smiling sister sitting on his desk, tears starting to slide down his face.

I can't do this, Sigrid. I can't do this alone. I can't do this without you here. I don't know how.

Nils

Nils's head fell into his hands. He let himself melt into his tears, ignoring the decision he had to make, if only for a moment.

After sitting there for several minutes, he brushed off the tears and stood up. Despite how much he hated it, he knew what he had to do.

...o0o...

Nils stood outside the meeting chamber, thinking about what he was about to do. Was it the right choice? Could he do this? Would he be able to get through this? But then again, did he have any other choice? This was his only option. He had to do it. He had no choice.

He let out a heavy breath and pushed open the heavy doors.

"His Majesty the King."

Nils quickly moved to his place, this time not sitting down. "I have considered your offer," He waited several moments before continuing. "and I have decided to continue with a Selection. It will be announced tonight and forms will be sent out in two days. The Selection will take place three weeks later, and the Selected will arrive the week after." Without another word, Nils walked out of the meeting chamber.

...o0o...

"People of Illéa, I have a special announcement for you today. To console the nation after the tragic death of my parents, sister, and brother-in-law, I have decided to hold my own Selection. This Selection will be open to all citizens aged nineteen to twenty-six. The forms will be sent out in two days, and I encourage all of you to enter. I look forward to sharing this exciting time with you."

Sorry this chapter is a bit late, I was on a backpacking trip this weekend. I will try to keep updates roughly every week around the weekend, but obviously that doesn't always work! Anyway, thank you for reading, and thank you to all the people who reviewed the last chapter!