At the Castle

*Later, at the palace, Shadow was in the throne room, talking with his parents, which were a gray male hedgehog with red eyes, peach skin, & wearing a gold crown & a red royal uniform & a blonde female hedgehog with blue eyes peach skin, wearing a gold tiara & a blue dress (look up "Sleeping Beauty! Strix (blue)" by "HeroProject39" on "DeviantArt")*

King Gerald: You sound as if you're the first fellow to ever meet a pretty girl.

Shadow: She wasn't just a pretty girl! Well, she was pretty, but there was so much more to her!

Queen Maria: How much more? You've only met her once. How could you know anything about her?

Shadow: You and Father have always told me you knew right away when you met each other -

King Gerald: That's different. We are both Royalty.

Shadow: You would have loved each other anyway.

Queen Maria: We would never have seen each other because it wouldn't have been appropriate. Our parents would tell us what we're telling you. And we would have listened.

Shadow: No, you wouldn't.

King Gerald: Yes, we would.

Shadow: No, you wouldn't.

Queen Maria: Alright, alright. That's enough. Come, you two. We shall be late. *she got up from her throne & turned to her son* And punctuality is the -

Shadow: - politeness of Royalty.

*The Royal Family left the throne room. Silver was waiting outside with a brown male owl with brown eyes, with yellow sclera, a yellow beak, & wearing a black jacket over a white shirt with white cravat, & holding a cane. They all walked down the hallway together*

Harvey Who: I'm sure your parents spoke to you of your behavior in the forest.

Shadow: It is hardly any of your business, Harvey.

Harvey Who: As Prime Minister, as well as your Royal Tutor, it is my business. It would not do to let the stag go free.

Shadow: Just because it's what's done, doesn't mean it's what should be done. Something like that.

*They arrived in a room that was full of art supplies. A brown male deer with tan antlers & green eyes, wearing a beret & an artists smok*

Servant: Master Buck. Master of the paintbrush, patiently waits.

King Gerald: Make him look marriageable, Master . We must attract a suitable bride. Even if he won't listen to a word I say.

*A servant put a fur trimmed cape over Shadow's shoulders & he sat on a saddle that was on a stool*

Master Buck: I shall endeavor to please, Your Majesty. But I can't work miracles.

Silver: A splendid canvas, Master Buck.

Master Buck: Thank you. *whispering* As if he knows anything about art.

*He gave Shadow a sword*

Shadow: So these portraits will really be sent abroad to induce the high and mighty to attend this ball you've both insisted upon?

Queen Maria: It is a tradition. Which is beloved.

King Gerald: In which you will choose a bride.

Shadow: If I must marry, could I not wed, say, a good honest country girl?

King Gerald: And how many divisions would this good honest country girl provide us? How will she make the Kingdom stronger? We are a small Kingdom amongst great States. It is a dangerous world.

*The Queen stepped up to her son*

Maria: My dearest, your Father and I want to see you and the Kingdom safe.

Shadow:*sigh* Yes, Mother. But, on one condition. Let the invitations go to everyone. Not just the nobility. The wars have brought sorrow on us all.

Queen Maria: What do you all think? Will that please the people?

Harvey Who: Well, I wouldn't mind a bit of a jolly.

Silver: Me neither.

King Gerald: Well, I think we might have made a bargain. A ball for the people. And a Princess for the Prince.

Master Buck: Sounds like a step in the right direction. If you ask me.

King Gerald: We didn't ask you!

Master Buck: So sorry, Your Majesty. Naughty paint, naughty brush. Down, please, Sampson.

*Shadow just sighed as he posed for his latest portrait*

*Later, Shadow was having a fencing lesson with Silver, along with many soldiers. Watching them was a white male tiger with blue eyes, gray stripes, peach skin, & wearing a blue military uniform. At one point, Shadow seemed to be winning, but Silver quickly best him & pointed his sword at his throat*

Colonel Stripes: Wake up, Your Royal Highness. You're in a daze.

Shadow: I'm sorry.

Silver: You've been out of it since the hunt.

Shadow: It's that wonderful girl. I can't stop thinking about her.

Colonel Stripes: There are plenty of girls.

Shadow: But her spirit. Her goodness.

Silver: Do you know if she has a sister?

*Both boys chuckled*

Shadow: I don't. I don't know anything about her.

Colonel Stripes: Perhaps your mystery girl will come to the ball tomorrow night.

Silver: That is why you threw the doors open, right?

Shadow: Silver, it was for the benefit of the people.

Silver: Of course. How shallow of me.

Shadow: And if she does come . . .

Colonel Stripes: Then you will tell her you are a Prince and a Princess may take whichever bride he wishes.

Shadow: Ha.

Silver: Ha?

Shadow: Yes, HA! You know my Father will only have me marry a Princess.

Colonel Stripes: Well, if this girl from the forest is as charming as you say, then maybe they'll change their mind.

Shadow:*in his mind* I can only pray that they will.